EPISODES

It’s 2025 and there are only a few things we know can be 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! The reviews are in (literally!) and this book is a MUST-read. We hope you’ll share it with a kiddo in your life who needs to hear just how very likeable they are.

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. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning, or you’re just joining us now, we are SO grateful for you. We hope our vulnerability has encouraged you and reminded you that you are not alone on this journey.

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.

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. We know that many of these changes have not happened yet, but the current political attitude towards disability has us a little worried. If you’re feeling the same way, stay informed and know that we’re all in this together.

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 in this episode.

The Avises are back from an 18-day European vacation with tips, tricks, and travel stories for all of us. There are so many travel resources out there.. disability discounts, wheelchairs, free transportation, + more! We’re excited to share with you just how we used them. So take some notes then start planning your next trip!

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!

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?

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. That’s why today we’re chatting about Micha’s potty training journey with her son Ace, as well as the impact of a dual diagnosis on toileting. PLUS: WHY do want certain things for our child? Is it for their safety or for societal expectations?

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: the current administration, bill HR 899, effects on students with disabilities, practical actions to take right now!

Here we are with a NEW season of The Lucky Few Podcast! Join us for this first episode back for some big life updates! Some things haven’t changed though.. you’ll see that we still don’t really know what year of the podcast this is and we still think there’s room to grow in the education system (shocker!). But get excited friends! Because this season will be full of important topics + a GUEST HOST.. Ashley Barlow, a fellow lucky mama, podcaster, and IEP expert.