Friends! Have you listened to The Telepathy Tapes Podcast? In this show, creator and host Ky Dickens explores the “profound abilities of non-speakers with autism - individuals who have long been misunderstood and underestimated.” Let’s talk about it: Have we experienced a shared consciousness with our own children? Is telepathy possible? Why are people having such a hard time believing the stories from the autistic individuals and their families who claim to communicate with telepathy? How has t...
Aug 26, 2025•46 min
Sid Ghosh is 18 (going on 81) years old and he just published his first full length book of poems with a major poetry company. He’s been given extraordinary praise from renowned authors, and us too of course! Here’s what we’re talking about today: Sid’s poems about his profound experience the world, as an autistic adult who has Down syndrome and uses a communication board (Spellers style!) Why it’s important to challenge our comfort zones to get a glimpse into a more fully profound way to be hum...
Aug 19, 2025•50 min
Oxford Dictionary defines ableism as: “discrimination in favor of able-bodied people.” And on today’s episode, we’re defining ableism with our own examples: When someone is shocked by our child’s capabilities When someone is suprised by our strong connection to our children When someone volunteers for a disabilities organization believing they’re a hero A lot of ableism is just actions and systems that we may have never questioned.. until being affected by disability. So what do we do when we ex...
Aug 12, 2025•45 min
After so many years in the Down syndrome community, we’ve had our fair share of surprising and even disappointing experiences with other advocates. The more we put ourselves out there, the more opportunity there is for disagreement. So what happens when there’s division amongst mothers in the Down syndrome community? Join us for a chat about: Unwritten rules and competition.. what happened to collaboration? Managing intellectual property.. what belongs to the individual vs the community? Social ...
Aug 05, 2025•37 min
Summer isolation for our kids with disabilities.. It’s not fun to talk about.. which means we probably should. Lets unpack it: Why is no one reaching out to our children to hang out over the summer? What happens when full inclusion during the school year still doesn’t foster meaningful friendships for your child? What do we do with these feelings of loneliness? How do we talk to our kids about this? With our kiddos growing up, we’ve noticed huge changes in the social dynamics that have left our ...
Jul 29, 2025•45 min
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 our questions.. The basic questions: What exactly is the “Big, Beau...
Jul 22, 2025•32 min
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 means to be a student with a disability, why inclusion during the school year ...
Jul 15, 2025•44 min
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 Coleman! She’s an advocate, educator, wife, and mother of seven - including he...
Jul 08, 2025•53 min
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 we tell. Melissa shares her powerful journey growing up alongsi...
Jun 24, 2025•44 min
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! What’s the difference between saying “I like you” and “I love you?” When’s the last time you gave a compliment that wasn’t based on an accomplishment? How did Heather make sure that ALL children coul...
Jun 03, 2025•40 min
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? What have we learned (and unlearned) along the way? What are our favorite memories? And what are YOUR favorite memories? (Lots of listener feedback in this one!) You...
May 20, 2025•46 min
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: What does “dignity of risk” mean? Is the risky activity an oppor...
May 13, 2025•39 min
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 does “welfare for the rich” mean?) Action steps to make sure your chi...
May 06, 2025•47 min
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 with disabilities.. and what to do when they’re not as inclusive as...
Apr 29, 2025•42 min
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 travel resources out there.. disability discounts, wheelchairs, free trans...
Apr 22, 2025•36 min
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 with Down syndrome? And our kids with a dual diagnosis of DS and autism?...
Apr 15, 2025•41 min
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 some of the medical challenges in the DS community? The problem with n...
Apr 08, 2025•33 min
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 with internalized ableism PLUS: WHY do we actually want certain thing...
Apr 01, 2025•38 min
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 administration take action so quickly? What exactly is the HR 899 bil...
Mar 25, 2025•37 min
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 Lucky Crew! Join THE LUCKY CREW for $4.99 a month for bonus episodes ...
Mar 18, 2025•44 min
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 we focus on restructuring and exploring new ideas, we invite you...
Jan 21, 2025•56 min
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 we focus on restructuring and exploring new ideas, we invite you...
Jan 08, 2025•58 min
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 offers her perspective on staying motivated, what success looks lik...
Dec 31, 2024•55 min
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’re dedicating today’s episode to celebrating all kinds of good n...
Dec 24, 2024•51 min
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 diagnosis takes a back seat, showcasing her as a fully realized charac...
Dec 17, 2024•32 min
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 could have been. From coping with unplanned moments to redefining t...
Dec 10, 2024•54 min
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 powerful opportunity to join them in making a lasting change. We hope...
Dec 03, 2024•43 min
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 with inspiration and actionable steps. You’ll also hear from incredi...
Nov 28, 2024•49 min
Friends, we had an epic time at the National Down Syndrome Adult Summit in Costa Mesa, CA! It’s a weekend of connection and educational sessions on a variety of topics that address adulthood and aging for the disability community. We had the honor of helping to launch the NDSS Town 21 PSA and spoke with Town 21 news anchor Jessica Kishner about her role in the video, her passion for music, and her dreams. We also got the chance to talk with NDSS President Kandi Pickard and the creator of the NDS...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 6 min
We’ve talked about impactful PSAs that the Down syndrome community has put out over the years. Today we’re talking about the most recent PSA from our friends over at the National Down Syndrome Society, if you haven’t seen it already follow the link in our show notes and go watch their powerful, important, and impactful message and listen to some behind-the-scenes interviews on this weeks episode! We’re chatting with the president of NDSS Kandi Pickard, an amazing couple Jeremy and Audrey feature...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 17 min
