What They Don’t Tell You About Down Syndrome… But Should

In this episode of Conquering Your Clownfish, hosts Misty Coy Snyder, Ela, and Larry invite listeners into the raw and radiant journey of raising their daughter with Down syndrome—one that shattered their expectations, exposed the fear-based narratives still dominating the medical world, and ultimately gave rise to a global advocacy movement rooted in art.

What began as confusion and isolation quickly transformed into connection and purpose. Ela and Larry didn’t just find beauty in their daughter—they captured it, painted it, and put it on display for the world to see. Through their art, they’ve made it impossible to look away from the truth: children with Down syndrome are not a tragedy to grieve, but a light to follow.

They speak openly about the way limitations—imposed by doctors, systems, even well-meaning friends—can quietly crush potential. They spotlight the often-overlooked role of fathers, the fierce empathy that grows in siblings, and the community that every family deserves but so few actually find.

This episode doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. Instead, it flips the script: what if the “hard news” isn’t the diagnosis, but the lies we’re told about what that diagnosis means? What if the real disability is in how society chooses to see?

If you've ever been afraid of the unknown, or wondered how to turn pain into purpose—this one is for you.