In this fun, heartwarming, and very real catch-up episode, Mary shares what life has looked like lately-spoiler alert: it includes a lot of cookies, a masquerade-themed "non graduation" and yet another pair of Ainsley's glasses lost, this time to the deep, blue sea. Mary chats about: - Ainsley's upcoming transition to high school(!) -Midnight cleanups and post-celebration tummy troubles -Fundraising in a monsoon for the Run Up For Down Syndrome -Hosting her first ever T21Mom Mingler -The epic Bo...
Jun 19, 2025•19 min•Ep. 149
In this episode, Mary is joined by child author Jeana Atkison to talk about her new children's book How to Eat a Cupcake. They discuss the inspiration behind the story, how it subtly and beautifully includes characters with disabilities, and why representation in children's literature is so important. Jeana shares her thoughts on integrating inclusion naturally through storytelling and the message she hopes kids and families take away from the book. Order your copy of How to Eat a Cupcake at pap...
May 07, 2025•35 min•Ep. 148
Please like and subscribe and even leave a review! In this deeply personal and heartfelt episode of the T21Mom podcast, Mary opens up about a heavy season filled with hospital visits, health scares, and the current challenges of parenting. But through it all, one thing has kept her going-her tribe of Haunted Rocking Moms. These incredible women, all moms of children with Down syndrome have wrapped Mary in love, laughter, and support when she's needed it most. From surprise gifts to heartfelt mes...
Apr 23, 2025•13 min•Ep. 147
Please subscribe and leave a review! In this heartfelt episode, Mary chats with Cathy Middlestetter, mom to 27 year-old Cassie, who has Down syndrome. Cathy received a prenatal diagnosis just 11 days before Cassie was born-without the support of social media or online communities. Mary loved hearing Cathy's journey-how her strength, determination, and how she found connection in those early days. From breastfeeding to inclusion, Cathy was a true trailblazer for the Down syndrome community. Tune ...
Apr 11, 2025•50 min•Ep. 146
Happy World Down Syndrome Day! Today we are celebrating the incredible individuals who rock that extra chromosome-and yes, we're also rocking our mismatched socks! In this episode we dive into the fun and the real talk of World Down Syndrome Day. World Down Syndrome Day is a day for joy, advocacy, and raising awareness, but let's be real-it can also be a tough day for some parents. Whether you're dancing in celebration or feeling all the emotions, this episode is for you! So grab you mismatched ...
Mar 19, 2025•18 min•Ep. 145
Be sure to give a rating and leave a review! Hey friends, it's your friend Mary, and yes-I'm back! Life threw a few curveballs (because of course it did) and I needed a minute. But I missed you all, so let's catch up! In this episode, I'm sharing all the chaos, laughs, and real talk about what's been going on. From my aunt's health scare, to Dennis bravely tackling Costco (on a Saturday no less), to Ainsley's latest adventures -including her ongoing mission to break every iPad screen ever made. ...
Mar 05, 2025•21 min•Ep. 144
Please like and review the T21Mom podcast on Apple or Spotify! It's the most wonderful time of the year, and we're back with the annual T21Mom Podcast Christmas Special! I'm Mary, mom to Ainsley, my amazing 12 year-old with the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, and I'm thrilled to share all the holiday fun, chaos and traditions with you in this episode. This year's Christmas season has been a mix of festive joy and well, exhaustion! Between tackling 72 Advent Cookie Boxes (yes 72!), de...
Dec 18, 2024•35 min•Ep. 143
Please leave a rating or a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Join Mary for another heartfelt chapter in the Down Syndrome Diaries: Diagnosis Stories. In this episode, Mary sits down with Rockin' Mom Colleen Johnson who courageously shares the raw and emotional story of her son Luke's diagnosis. Colleen opens up about the grief that consumed her in the early days-grief so profound she wondered if she'd ever be able to "not see ." But through time, love and the unwavering support of her family...
Dec 06, 2024•59 min•Ep. 142
Please rate and leave a review on Spotify and Apple Podcasts! Hold onto your wine, because this week Mary takes us to the Rockin' Moms Retreat in fabulous Las Vegas! It's an episode filled with friendship, laughter, and just a little bit of ghostly mischief. Mary spills the tea (and maybe some cocktails) about how taking time away with her Haunted Rockin' Moms crew is the ultimate reset. Think poolside relaxation, late-night heart-to-hearts, and plenty of shenanigans that only a Vegas trip could...
Nov 21, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 141
Join Mary, Ainsley and Dennis on an epic journey to the Paris Olympics! This week's episode dives into the highs (and hurdles) of making it to Paris, from battling extreme motion sickness to a last-minute dead iPad. But once they arrived, the Games were an unforgettable adventure! From the pool to the trampoline, and track to race walking, Mary covers it all! Get an insider's view on a jam-packed schedule that brought her up close with the world's greatest athletes. Hear Mary's thrilling account...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 140
In this episode of T21Mom, Mary opens up about the significance of "Rocktober"-a special month for Down Syndrome Awareness. She discusses her personal approach to celebrating this important month and candidly shares the struggles she faces, including feeling guilty for not being fully engaged in the festivities. Despite her deep passion for advocacy, Mary talks about the exhaustion that sometimes comes with it, and how advocating can feel like a never-ending journey. Mary also highlights some of...
Oct 11, 2024•14 min•Ep. 139
Join Mary in today's episode as she shares her personal journey through challenging times and the importance of self-care. In this episode, Mary opens up about the struggles that she faced when Ainsley started kindergarten, managing difficult behaviours and how she found her way back to focusing on her own well-being. Discover the tools that helped Mary through her hardest moments, from therapy to her "happy pill," and hear her heartfelt message to other special needs moms-you are not alone. Mar...
Sep 25, 2024•15 min•Ep. 138
In today's episode, we hear Melissa Miller's emotional story of how she received her son Hunter's Down syndrome diagnosis, which had a heartbreaking beginning. A doctor stood at the door of her hospital room , told her the news in the most impersonal way, and even suggested that no one would judge her if she left her baby at the hospital. This shocking experience was just 10 years ago, and sadly, similar stories are still happening today. But Melissa turned this negativity into strength and love...
Sep 11, 2024•49 min•Ep. 137
Summer is over and school is back in session! Mary shares about the return to school and Ainsley going into grade 7-her final year of elementary school. Mary talks about their wins, but also her trepidations and anxiousness over the coming school year and beyond.
Sep 04, 2024•13 min•Ep. 136
In an intimate conversation, Mary sits down with Sandra Di Curzio, who opens up about the emotional journey she embarked on after her daughter Chiara's birth diagnosis. Sandra's story is one of raw honesty about post partum depression, guilt, and learning that life can still be beautiful while exploring the complexities of motherhood when life takes an unexpected turn.
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 135
Mary dives into an exhilarating conversation with John and Nicole Vester. From the very beginning, John was ready to document much of the pregnancy on his blog. Initially expecting twins, to later finding out there was only one heartbeat, the emotional rollercoaster didn't end there. As if decoding the NIPT results weren't challenging enough, they found themselves navigating the confusion that arose from Nicole initially carrying twins. Despite these issues. the odds of their baby being born wit...
Aug 21, 2024•57 min•Ep. 134
Mary sits down for an enlightening conversation with Christiana Thiessen, a courageous Canadian who along with her husband moved to Jordan to assist with the Syrian refugee crisis. Just a year and a half later, Christiana discovered she was pregnant with her first child. Joy quickly turned to uncertainty when she learned that her baby would be born with Down syndrome. Facing this challenge in a foreign country was daunting. Yet , Christiana's journey to acceptance was swift and profound. Within ...
Jul 24, 2024•57 min•Ep. 133
In an incredibly raw and often heartbreaking conversation, Mary sits down with Puja Mehta to delve into the story of her son Aaryav's diagnosis. Puja, who currently resides in India, spent several years in the United States, where she gave birth to both her children. She recounts the experience of a medical system that failed her long before Aaryav, who was born with Down syndrome, came into the world. From the beginning, red flags were missed. Markers on her ultrasounds, indicative of Down synd...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 132
It's the end of the school year and Mary shares about the type of year it's been with another new EA for Ainsley. She shares Ainsley's successes and what it means to have a good team to support your child. Mary also talks about a great day at the PNE where Ainsley rode the big roller coaster for the very first time (she wasn't one bit scared) and their big plans for the summer.
Jun 27, 2024•23 min•Ep. 131
In a heartfelt conversation, Mary sits down with Kim Revai, who shares the incredible and emotional story of her son Jace's birth. Kim's journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of a mother facing unimaginable challenges. Jace entered the world at an astonishing 26 weeks and one day, far earlier than expected. Kim, living far from her family was told to go directly to the hospital and prepare for his birth, plunging her into a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. Despite his very prem...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 130
Mary and a group of her Haunted Rockin' Mom friends meet and go to the 150th Kentucky Derby. These women all met on a haunted pub crawl back in 2022, and have forged an incredible friendship. They pack in a lot over the Derby weekend, including a bourbon tasting, scooter escapades, the Thirsty Peddler and of course, the exhilaration of the Derby itself.
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 129
Mary sits down with Sabine Kussman, who recounts her poignant journey of her son Kian's diagnosis and her family's courageous path forward. From a heart-wrenching beginning, where two weeks passed without a single medical professional congratulating her on son's birth, to facing discouragement about breastfeeding, Sabine learned to trust her instincts. Despite therapists' negative predictions, Kian defied the odds, walking at 14 months , riding a bike and even mastering downhill skiing. Sabine p...
Jun 05, 2024•41 min•Ep. 128
Mary has an engaging and heartfelt conversation with Shiloh Carte who shares her not very typical, diagnosis story. In fact, Shiloh predicted her child with Down syndrome! Over a year before she was even pregnant, Shiloh had a dream that was so vivid and so powerful that she knew with all her being that it had to be true-she dreamt that she was going to have a baby with Down syndrome and it would be a girl! Hear how Shiloh shares her vision with her husband, family and even medical professionals...
May 15, 2024•38 min•Ep. 127
Mary chats with fellow Rockin' Mom Stacey Herncane who shares her diagnosis story. Stacey waited in limbo for a week until she was given a definitive diagnosis for her son. From grief of thinking "why her" and how this just wasn't a possibility in her and her husband's lives, to taking lessons from third graders and learning to celebrate Down syndrome, Stacey goes through all the emotions. And sometimes the greatest lessons come from kids.
May 01, 2024•44 min•Ep. 126
Mary's heart-to-heart with Dorothy reveals the power of faith and resilience in the face of life's challenges. Dorothy's journey from miscarriage to pregnancy is a testament to the human spirit and the importance of holding onto hope. Twenty years later, she recalls receiving the diagnosis news of her daughter Faith with such vivid detail, showing how these moments shape our lives and stay with us forever.
Apr 24, 2024•43 min•Ep. 125
Mary's conversation with Kellie Anderson reveals a powerful story of resilience and hope. Despite Kellie's Rh factor creating obstacles during her pregnancy, she remained determined and inspired. When her baby Raina was born with Down syndrome, Kellie's husband provided unwavering support and reassurance. Kellie's message to new parents is one of positivity and courage, reminding them that everything will be alright.
Apr 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 124
Mary engages in a heartfelt conversation with Shelli DeGroot delving into her remarkable journey of diagnosis and resilience. Shelli recounts the unexpected twist of a pregnancy even after having her tubes tied, followed by the surprising news of her baby having Down syndrome. Through it all, Shelli finds solace in her faith, believing that her son is destined for great things. She reflects on the impact of a book she read during pregnancy which unknowingly prepared her for her son's birth diagn...
Apr 10, 2024•38 min•Ep. 123
Mary chats with mom Keller Kuhn for the first episode in the diagnosis stories series. Keller is Mom to Timmy, who is almost 22 years old, and she shares how she actually prayed for a child with extra needs, what prompted this and how she felt when her prayers were finally answered. Keller raised five children, including Timmy who has Down syndrome and the dual diagnosis of autism, as a single parent. She shares her wisdom from her journey and says she is not "super duper special" and that we ha...
Apr 03, 2024•33 min•Ep. 122
Mary shares her personal experience on this past World Down Syndrome Day and cool experience after wearing her "Love Down Syndrome" shirt. She also shares that even though this day is important, that this year she didn't do a whole lot other than wearing mismatched socks and her Down syndrome shirt and her subsequent feelings about this. And Mary also has some big news about her Haunted Rocking Moms and some exciting summer plans!
Mar 27, 2024•14 min•Ep. 121
Mary chats with Lauren Zwick, mom to Emma and Lily who are identical twins with mosaic Down syndrome-a true rarity! Lauren shares the uniqueness of her twins and how their mosaicism affects them differently. It is a fascinating and intriguing conversation about twins, mosaic Down syndrome and Down syndrome. Lauren's daughter Lily makes an appearance and shares what it means to have Down syndrome and being an identical twin to her sister, Emma. For more information on mosaic Down syndrome, visit ...
Mar 20, 2024•51 min•Ep. 120
