The Lucky Few

Summer isolation for our kids with disabilities.. It’s not fun to talk about.. which means we probably should. Lets unpack it:

With our kiddos growing up, we’ve n...

In this current political climate, one of our goals is to keep you all up to date on the legislature that impacts our community. So friends, its time to talk about the “Big, Beautiful Bill” and how it will affect individuals with Down syndrome. We are SO grateful for an incredible guest to help us out. Sean Feely is the new Director of Advocacy and Policy at the National Down Syndrome Society and he’s here today to answer all of ou...

We’re talking about a not-so-fun part of summer today.. summer school! Specifically, extended school year (ESY) for our children with Down syndrome.

• What is extended school year? Is it necessary?
• Are our kids in ESY this summer?
• Will our kids regress if they don’t go to summer school? Or is traveling/playing throughout the summer also a beneficial learning opportunity?

This is an interesting conversation about what it me...

Welcome to a new season of The Lucky Few Podcast! We’re starting off strong with an episode all about… diversity, equity, and inclusion. Because these are more than just buzz words, friends. Let’s talk about it:

• What is DEI? What is it NOT?
• Recent changes to DEI standards.. have we seen these changes in our own lives?
• The intersection of race and disability

We’re also introducing our guest host for the season.. Brandy ...

What happens when you mix a fierce sibling bond, a deep love for storytelling, writing, advocacy and a chicken named Rosemary? You get today’s episode of The Lucky Few Podcast! We’re joined by the incredible Melissa Hart, author, educator, journalist and big sister to Mark, her brother who has Down syndrome.

This episode is full of heart, humor, and hope—plus a reminder that inclusion starts at home and ripples out into the stories ...

It’s 2025 and there are a few things we know are true… The world is chaotic. And we NEED more compliments. That’s why our very own Heather Avis wrote her new children’s book, “I Like You So Much: Celebrating What Makes You, You!” We’re chatting all about the inspiration for this book and more today!

Well friends, we’re 300 episodes into the podcast and we finally figured out a way to keep track of just how long we’ve been doing this.. and no its not our neck wrinkles! Lets go behind the scenes today as we reflect on the last 7 years. We’re chatting about:

• What has changed in our lives (and the world) since starting the podcast?

If you’re a parent, you’ve likely wondered.. Should I let my child use this public restroom on their own? Is my child able to handle these kitchen tools? Can I let my child attend this sleepover? And if you’re a parent to a child with a disability, you might have even more fears around these risky activities. It’s time for a conversation about reasonable risks for our kids with Down syndrome. Here’s what we’re chatting about today:

Overwhelmed by all the news lately? Us too. That’s why Ashley Barlow (@thecollaborativeiep) is back on the show today to breakdown all of the changes to the Department of Education and the impact on students with disabilities. Here’s what we’re discussing today:

• ​Budget cuts and the impact on early learning for students with disabilities (no more Head Start program in 2026?!)
• ​Pros and cons of school choice and vouchers (What...

Picture this: your child with Down syndrome tells you they want to play a sport. You sign them up for the local team, drop them off at practice, and pick them up without any difficulties. Everything goes smoothly… But that’s not always reality is it? Lets break down the complexities of extracurricular activities today:

• How to ask for accommodations that promote safety, respect, and inclusion

• Separate programs designed for people ...

The Avises are back from an 18-day European vacation with tips, tricks, and travel stories for all of us. So Heather and Josh are here today to answer all the questions:

• How do you “lean in” to surprising (and sometimes frustrating!) moments with your kids?

• What to do when your family vacation doesn’t look like other families?

• What are your major tips for traveling with kids/teens who have Down syndrome?

There are so many ...

How many nights per week would you say your child (with or without a diagnosis) sleeps well? We asked our audience and discovered that sleep is a struggle for a LOT of us! So if you’re feeling like you’ve already tried all the online hacks but your child still wakes you up at the same time each night, this episode might have a new tip for you! Here’s what we’re covering today:

• What’s the biggest sleep challenge for our kids wit...

When we saw this headline, “CRISPR Snips Away Extra Chromosomes, Offering New Hope for Down Syndrome Treatment,” we knew we had to discuss this article together. So that’s what we’re doing today. Here’s what we’re covering in this episode:

• The ethics of gene editing - What about other conditions with serious life-threatening effects?

• Why do some people assume that we need to “cure” Down syndrome?

• What would we do to alleviate so...

Raise your hand if the thought (or maybe even the memory) of potty training gives you anxiety! This parenting milestone sure brings up a lot of feelings, especially for those of us in the disability community. Here’s what we’re chatting about today:

• Micha’s potty training journey (including some behind-the-scenes voice notes and training tips!)

• The impact of a dual diagnosis (Down syndrome and autism) on potty training

• Dealing wit...

If you’ve watched the news recently, you know that there are some HUGE changes happening in our government, especially with the Department of Education. We’re breaking it all down today with our guest host, Ashley Barlow! She’s a mother to a son with Down syndrome, special education attorney advocate, IEP expert, former teacher, current speaker and podcaster. We are so grateful she’s here to cover all these topics:

• Why did the a...

Here we are with a NEW season of The Lucky Few Podcast! Join us for this first episode back for some big life updates!

• From Mercedes: mother-daughter bonding with Sunny, braces, medical things
• From Micha: potty training for Ace, communication device debates, new therapies
• From Heather: her mother’s health, extracurriculars.. dances, musical theater, basketball
• From the pod: BONUS episodes that you can access as a member of The ...

UPDATE for 2025:

First, we want to say how much this podcast community means to us. Over the past seven years, we’ve released 290 episodes, reaching millions of listeners worldwide. You’ve been with us through laughter, tears, challenges, growth, and friendships. This podcast exists because of you, and we’re deeply grateful for your support.

To keep The Lucky Few Podcast thriving, we’ll be making some changes early this year. While...

UPDATE for 2025:

First, we want to say how much this podcast community means to us. Over the past seven years, we’ve released 290 episodes, reaching millions of listeners worldwide. You’ve been with us through laughter, tears, challenges, growth, and friendships. This podcast exists because of you, and we’re deeply grateful for your support.

To keep The Lucky Few Podcast thriving, we’ll be making some changes early this year. While...

Happy New Year friends! Join us as we welcome back Amy Julia Becker and her daughter Penny for an inspiring conversation on redefining resolutions for growth instead of perfection. We’re talking about the power of celebrating small wins, how caregivers and families can support loved ones with Down syndrome in setting and achieving goals, and the transformative lessons we’ve learned from goal-setting with our children. Penny also of...