Today’s episode is personal and powerful. I’m opening up about my very first experience with case workers and developmental evaluations — a moment that became the starting point of our early intervention journey.

 What is Early Intervention?

Early intervention provides vital support and services for infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or disabilities. These programs focus on helping children build essential skills — physical, cognitive, communication, and social-emotional — often in familiar settings like the home or local community centers.

 The First Signs

This was the moment it became real — the first official evidence that my daughter was on a different developmental path. Case workers came into our lives, not just to assess but to offer guidance, creating our first action plan for growth and support.

 A Shift in Perspective

Accepting early intervention wasn’t easy. It meant facing a reality I had been quietly grappling with. But here’s what I’m learning: different doesn’t mean good or bad — it just means different. And there’s power in embracing that truth.

 When Advocacy Sparks Change

I also share a pivotal confrontation in a doctor’s office over a Developmental Milestones Worksheet — and how that moment led to a system-wide change in a major hospital network. Now, families like ours are better supported from the start.

 The Power of Expectations

One of my biggest takeaways? Expectations shape outcomes. I choose to expect growth, learning, and joy for Kennedy. And with support, tools, and encouragement, I’ve watched her rise to meet those expectations — again and again.

 Join Me

If you're navigating early intervention, or just curious about what that looks like in real life, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about hope, resilience, and redefining what’s “normal.” I hope you’ll listen — and maybe even see your own journey reflected in ours.

 Connect with Us:

 Website: www.kennedystrong.org

 Facebook: Kennedy Strong Foundation

Experience the awakening a diagnosis can have on your mind and your life. 

What if you were given a diagnosis that would change the trajectory of your life and it involved your family as well?

In this episode Betsy shares the memory and the emotions that come up when she hears the words Nuchal Fold and how that led to receiving confirmation of Down syndrome. You'll be reminded of the strange words Dr's use when describing something foreign and the journey that takes you on as you research and navigate what those words mean and what they'll mean to you.

You'll have an opportunity to consider your own thoughts and feelings about people with disabilities and how you look at them or interact with them. You'll receive ideas on how to introduce concepts to your children and your family. 

Most importantly you'll be asked to look for beauty in all the things. 

We are wired for survival and many folks have their minds closed to protect themselves, however, when our minds, hearts and bodies are closed off we also prevent ourselves from feeling joy and beauty. 

Enjoy the ride through those first several weeks of the pregnancy diagnosis through the diagnosis of the chromosomal condition all the way through some ways you can diagnose your own mind on acceptance. 

Thank you for listening to this podcast—Please share it and get the word out!

What did you hear that you connected with? Send us a comment!

Betsy is a happily married, working mother of four kids including a set of twins in which one of them, Kennedy, was born with the gift of an extra chromosome commonly referred to as Down syndrome. Her mission is to educate and empower others to raise awareness about the unique challenges parents face in finding inclusive communities that support their loved ones with special needs. She discusses the importance of fostering environments that embrace inclusion, not just in schools, but in employment opportunities and independent living.