84 | Inclusion vs Belonging for the Disability Community: What's The Difference? My Conversation with Heather Avis of The Lucky Few

84 | Inclusion vs. Belonging for the Disabled: What's The Difference? My Conversation with Heather Avis of The Lucky Few

Join me for a heartfelt conversation with Heather Avis, a New York Times bestselling author and advocate, where we discuss the essence of creating spaces where children with disabilities are cherished for their individuality rather than forced to conform.

Heather and I share candid reflections on the pressures and decisions involved in choosing the right educational paths for our children with intellectual disabilities. We explore the dynamic and deeply personal choices we as parents must make and acknowledge the essential role of community support in enhancing the journey of inclusion.

We highlight the importance of fostering environments where everyone is valued, echoing our belief in the power of advocacy and the pursuit of belonging for future generations. By sharing these stories and insights, we hope to inspire parents to trust their instincts and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive world for their children.

Heather Avis is a New York Times bestselling author, an award-winning podcaster, a public speaker, and an advocate for Down syndrome. She is the founder and Chief Visionary Officer of The Lucky Few, an advocacy organization dedicated to shouting worth, shifting narratives, and creating inclusive spaces where everyone belongs. For over a decade, Heather has led this effort, reimagining what it looks like when we embrace our differences.

Heather’s advocacy journey began in 2008 when she and her husband, Josh, adopted their daughter Macyn, who has Down syndrome. Overcoming initial fears, Heather discovered the profound gift of life with Macyn. She started sharing their story on a blog, which grew into the popular Instagram account @theluckyfewofficial.

Heather lives in Southern California with her husband, their three children, Macyn, Truly, and August, and their two Goldendoodles, Maeby and George Michael. When she's not writing or speaking, Heather enjoys sharing everyday moments with her family, traveling, karaoke, and hosting a good happy hour with her friends.

Disabilities, Inclusion, School System, Down Syndrome, Challenges, Inclusive School Environment, Intellectual Disabilities, Empowerment, Personalized Decisions, Community Support, Middle School, Belonging

-------

Hey! Are you a parent of a loved one with a disability? Have you ever wanted to be on a podcast? Then I want to hear from you! Literally! Send me an audio message that I can include in an upcoming special episode.

Just ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to be directed to a website where you can record your response to the following question:

If you could go back in time to when your child was first diagnosed with a disability, what would you tell yourself?

I would LOVE to hear from you!! And finally, if you have been wondering how long you need to keep certain documents, whether its a utility bill, and IEP, medical records, or an insurance policy, I have a quick and accessible one-page document for you to download that shares exactly how long you should be holding on to these items and when you can let them go (e.g. shred and/or recycle.)

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get on my email list and I will send this handy doc straight to your inbox.

And I promise I won't start bombarding your inbox with emails -- that is not my style! I just want to be able to stay in touch and keep you informed occasiona