Posts in General
69. Project Understood: Down Syndrome & Voice Technology w/Ed Casagrande & Matthew MacNeil
69. Project Understood: Down Syndrome & Voice Technology w/Ed Casagrande & Matthew MacNeil

Let’s face it, we all love voice-command technology (maybe even a little too much sometimes..) and our kiddos love it too. But Siri and Alexa and Google Home can’t always understand our loved ones with Down Syndrome. That’s why Ed Casagrande, the chair of the Canadian Down Syndrome Society (CDSS), launched Project Understood. Ed and his team are collecting voices from individuals with Down Syndrome and working with Google to ensure that the future of voice technology includes everyone. Matthew Macneil is among the many individuals with Down Syndrome to have donated his voice to this campaign, recording nearly one thousand unique phrases in the span of just a few days!

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Inclusion, TechnologyComment
68. Approaching Mother's Day While Grieving w/Katie Jameson
68. Approaching Mother's Day While Grieving w/Katie Jameson

When all you see on Instagram is happy moms smiling with their children on Mother’s Day, it can be hard to remember that not every woman approaches the holiday the same way. That’s why we are so grateful to have Katie Jameson on to discuss all things grief and Mother’s Day. Katie is a mother to 4 year old twins (one w/Down Syndrome), a 2 year old, and her son Lochlan who would turn 6 this year. After losing Lochlan, Katie made it her mission to support women grieving the loss of a child on Mother’s Day. Her beautiful ‘Grief Pins & Cards’ provide tangible support for anyone dealing with loss and grief. Join us for this important conversation on how to support a woman grieving on Mother’s Day and how to approach the holiday after losing a child.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Inclusion, Motherhood, GriefComment
67. Unpacking Privilege & Understanding Intersectionality w/Jalondra Davis
67. Unpacking Privilege & Understanding Intersectionality w/Jalondra Davis

We know that Down Syndrome does not affect one more race more than another so why is the advocacy space not more diverse? We have Jalondra Davis - author, scholar, feminist, and mother, on to address this topic and more. We’re chatting about everything from her son’s diagnosis story to the many systems that impact our children with Down Syndrome and the intersections between different types of injustice. Get ready to take notes, friends. We have so much to learn from Jalondra.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Inclusion, RaceComment
66. Public Speaking & Self Advocacy w/Matthew Schwab
66. Public Speaking & Self Advocacy w/Matthew Schwab

At 22 years old, Matthew Schwab is a public speaker, employee, volunteer, ambassador, intern, campaign manager, and so much more. You may have even seen him advocating for employing people with disabilities on his TedX Talk! When he’s not writing speeches or selling merchandise, he’s sending emails or hanging out with his girlfriend. We’re so happy he took the time to sit down with us and chat all about his busy life, his future goals, and his journey from being sad about his Down Syndrome diagnosis to embracing it!

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Inclusion, SpeakingComment
65. The Quarantine Chronicles
65. The Quarantine Chronicles

Raise your hand if your quarantine situation is nothing like you and your Pinterest board thought it would be! (We’ve got both arms up at this point). And it’s okay if you do too, friends. Because educating your children and working from home and surviving a global pandemic is hard. We’re right there with you. So join us for a chat about our quarantine situations, how to explain this madness to your kiddos, setting realistic expectations, giving yourself grace, and why homeschool should actually be called “crisis school.” We are cheering for each and everyone of you! Stay safe (at home), friends.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Inclusion, QuarantineComment
64. Building Bridges Towards Inclusion w/Barbara Butler
64. Building Bridges Towards Inclusion w/Barbara Butler

Magical Bridge playgrounds are beautiful places where ALL kiddos can play together. Think accessible ramps, wide paths, kindness corners, and the cutest little huts for when you just need some space. We are so lucky to have Barbara Butler on to tell us more about these playgrounds. She is a luxury play structure and treehouse designer who uses her architect background to create incredible inclusive playgrounds alongside the Magical Bridge Foundation. Join us for the incredible story about how her work started and what we can do to make all of our playgrounds inclusive.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, InclusionComment
63. Health & Down Syndrome w/Dr. Noemi Spinazzi
63. Health & Down Syndrome w/Dr. Noemi Spinazzi

“Stay home, wash your hands, don’t touch your face….” you’ve heard it all before. But now you can hear from pediatrician Dr. Noemi Spinazzi, who specializes in Down Syndrome. She works at a children’s hospital in Oakland, CA and is the medical director of Charlie’s Clinic - a Down Syndrome specific health care center! Today we’re asking her about all things health and Down Syndrome from special Covid-19 precautions, medical myths, speech, pneumonia, hearing, and more!

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Family, Health Comment
62. Micha & Ace's Dual Diagnosis Journey
62. Micha & Ace's Dual Diagnosis Journey

“Our kids do not have to fit any measurement for their value or worth.” Micha said it here first but we’re pretty sure we all agree, right? That’s why today we’re discussing all things dual diagnosis with Micha Boyett, who’s son Ace recently received an Autism diagnosis. We’re also diving deep into societal expectations of people with other types of disabilities and how those impact our goals for children, all the supplements and sensory tools Micha is using with Ace, and perhaps most importantly— sleep! This is a good one, friends. Thank you for joining us.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Family, AutismComment
BONUS: Happy World Down Syndrome Day!
BONUS: Happy World Down Syndrome Day!

Happy World Down Syndrome Day! Down Syndrome has taught us how to come together as a community to support one another. So today, we’re chatting all about a few of our favorite podcasts/non-profits/accounts that are shifting the narrative all year long. Check out our show notes for all the links you’ll need to keep you busy during these uncertain times! Then, tag us in your World Down Syndrome Day posts (@theluckyfewpod) and use hashtag #THELUCKYFEW. 

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, FamilyComment
61. Behind the Scenes of El Candidato, the extraordinary documentary about Bryan Russell
61. Behind the Scenes of El Candidato, the extraordinary documentary about Bryan Russell

Bryan Russell is the first person with Down Syndrome to ever run for political office anywhere in the world, and we are here for it! This past January, Bryan showed Peru (and the world) what he’s made of, earning over 13,000 votes in his efforts to earn a congressional position. And thankfully, Katie and Ryan Marley followed his journey every step of the way. Their upcoming documentary, “El Candidato” explores some pretty big questions about this election. Join us for a chat with Bryan Russell, his parents, and Katie + Ryan for all things changing perceptions, navigating politics, and living in Peru!

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, FamilyComment
60. What's Ours To Share?
60. What's Ours To Share?

Anyone else ever questioned how much you share about your child or loved one with Down Syndrome on social media? We sure have! There is so much pressure to share (or not share) about your loved one with Down Syndrome and we feel it too! So friends, let’s all agree to be intentional on Instagram, to honor our kiddos, and most importantly, to keep shouting the worth and shifting the narrative together!

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Community, FamilyComment
59. Finding Community at GiGi's Playhouse w/Nancy Gianni
59. Finding Community at GiGi's Playhouse w/Nancy Gianni

When Nancy Gianni received her daughter GiGi’s Down Syndrome diagnosis, it was “all condolences and no congratulations.” But it didn’t take long for Nancy to decide that she wanted to live in a world that celebrates Down Syndrome, and she quickly took action. Just one year after GiGi’s birth, the first GiGi’s Playhouse opened! Today, there are 48 GiGi’s locations across the country and even one in Mexico! GiGi’s Playhouse is the ONLY international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers that offers FREE life-changing therapeutic and educational programs for all ages.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, CommunityComment
58. A Conversation About Race & Down Syndrome w/Mercedes Lara & Kelli Caughman
58. A Conversation About Race & Down Syndrome w/Mercedes Lara & Kelli Caughman

We all know what it feels like to receive a Down Syndrome diagnosis and realize that you hardly ever see people with DS represented anywhere. But what does it feel like if your child with Down Syndrome might not even be represented amongst the DS community? In honor of Black History Month, Mercedes and fellow lucky mama, Kelli Caughman, are talking all things advocacy and diversity, connecting with other moms, and what it’s like being a person of color raising a child with Down Syndrome.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, RaceComment
57: Shelley Gottsagen On Her Son Zack Gottsagen's Fame, The Oscars, + More!
57: Shelley Gottsagen On Her Son Zack Gottsagen's Fame, The Oscars, + More!

You’ve seen Zack Gottsagen on the big screen during his hit movie, The Peanut Butter Falcon, and you’ve seen him onstage at the Oscars, but have you ever wondered about the woman who’s supported him since the beginning? In this VERY special interview, we’re talking to Zack’s mom, Shelley Gottsagen, who’s been shouting his worth boldly for 34 years. Tune in to hear more about a lifetime of self-advocacy, fighting systems, Zack’s relationship with Shia Lebeouf, The Oscars, Peanut Butter Falcon, what’s next for Zack, and so much more.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Story, Marriage Comments
56. The One About Marriage, w/Micha & Chris!
56. The One About Marriage, w/Micha & Chris!

Ever feel like you’re keeping score in your marriage? You’re not alone! Micha and her husband Chris are chatting about all things marriage, raising a child with Down Syndrome, and how to invert the infamous ‘scoreboard!’  They have been married for 15 years, 10 of those being before having Ace, their youngest son who has Down Syndrome. Trust us, they know a thing or two about overcoming obstacles in marriage! Tune in to hear more about parenting their three sons and beating the odds of divorce for couples who have a child with a disability.

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GeneralValerie SchliederDown Syndrome, Advocacy, Story, Marriage Comment