The Lucky Few

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...

It’s Christmas Eve, and whether you’re wrapping up last-minute gifts, squeezing in a classic Christmas movie, or running errands around town, we’re thrilled to be keeping you company! Today, we’re diving into something extra special to celebrate the season—a deeper look at the good news in our lives.

In the Christmas tradition, there’s a powerful moment when the angel declares the arrival of Jesus as good news. Inspired by this, we...

Today, we’re bringing you some Holiday cheer as we head to the fictional and festive town of New Hope, TX. I have the honor and thrill of speaking with  Julia Barnett, the writer and director of the new holiday movie A Christmas in New Hope, and Mia Armstrong, one of the lead actors who plays Charlie, the daughter of a single mom fighting to save her home before Christmas. Mia, who has Down syndrome, shines in a role where her diag...

How do you handle the grief that comes with unmet holiday expectations? As we dive into the holiday season, many of us wrestle with the dream of a “perfect” celebration that doesn’t match reality. In this episode, we’re having an honest conversation about releasing those high expectations, navigating the challenges and grief that come with letting go of the idealized holiday image, and discovering joy in what is rather than what co...

Today is Giving Tuesday! This year we’ve decided to switch up our traditional gift guide and bring you some of our favorite non-profit organizations doing incredible things for our community. In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we encourage you to consider supporting their work with your time, resources, or donations. From advocacy to education to direct support, these organizations are transforming lives, and Giving Tuesday is a powe...

That’s right friends, we’ve got a BONUS episode for you this week! Today, we’re bringing you our closing keynote from the NDSS Adult Summit, we’re sharing our takeaways from the weekend, practical tips, and tools for building a future that people with Down syndrome deserve. From dreaming about employment and supporting Down syndrome-owned businesses to creating transition plans and embracing independence, this episode is packed wit...