326. What We Wish We’d Known About Loneliness in honor of World Down Syndrome Day (3/21)

In this episode, we continue our What I Wish I’d Known series in honor of World Down Syndrome Day (3/21) and this year’s theme: Together Against Loneliness.

When we first became parents of children with Down syndrome, no one talked to us about loneliness.

Not the loneliness that can come in high school. Not when siblings leave. Not when friends start driving. Not when graduation comes — and the path forward feels unclear. Not when your child is included, but still isolated.

We talk about the loneliness our kids experience — and the loneliness we feel as parents. We unpack the difference between inclusion and belonging, and why belonging is what truly combats loneliness.

World Down Syndrome Day isn’t just about celebration. It’s about awareness.It’s about connection.

Wear the socks.Have the conversations. Extend the invitation.

Let’s be together against loneliness.

Show Notes

🌍 World Down Syndrome Day

Official site (theme, resources, global events): ⁠https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/⁠

College scholarships for students with Down syndrome: ⁠https://www.rubysrainbow.org/⁠

Creators of the annual World Down Syndrome Day campaign videos: ⁠https://www.coordown.it/⁠

This year’s campaign video (featuring Noah, focused on ending use of the R-word): ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CoorDown⁠

Their classic video “Dear Future Mom”: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-q4OnBtNU⁠

Free programming and community for individuals with Down syndrome: ⁠https://gigisplayhouse.org/⁠

🎓 Ruby’s Rainbow🇮🇹 CoorDown (Italy)💙 GiGi’s Playhouse

🎉 Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day With Us

We’ve been celebrating World Down Syndrome Day since the very beginning of this podcast. Revisit past conversations here:

Episode 1 – World Down Syndrome Day 2018 ⁠https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/1⁠

Episode 53 – World Down Syndrome Day 2019 ⁠https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/53⁠

Episode 104 – World Down Syndrome Day 2020 ⁠https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/104⁠

Episode 156 – World Down Syndrome Day 2021 ⁠https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/156⁠

Episode 207 – World Down Syndrome Day 2022 ⁠https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/207⁠

Episode 259 – World Down Syndrome Day 2023 ⁠https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/259⁠

Episode 310 – World Down Syndrome Day 2024 ⁠https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/310

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