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, Beautiful Bill”? What exactly is medicaid?
• The complicated questions: Are home and community-funded services in danger? What are the new rules around work requirements and retroactive coverage?
• The scary questions: Will my loved one with DS lose their coverage?

We’re also asking the productive questions.. What can we do now? What sources can we trust? Grab a pen and get ready to take some notes!

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SHOW NOTES

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Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 

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 is an important set-up for summer success, and how privilege plays a role in all of this. We think you’ll learn a lot from this episode, friends. Enjoy!

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JOIN THE LUCKY CREW

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 

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 her daughter with Down syndrome! Brandy works with the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network to make sure all families feel seen, heard, and supported. She’s a fierce advocate for BIPOC families and we’re SO grateful for her perspective this season.

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SHOW NOTES

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 alongside her brother, the outdated and harmful messages her family faced, and how her mom’s bold choice to raise her brother with full inclusion shaped all their lives. From early childhood therapies to joyful adulthood, Melissa’s story is one of advocacy, love, and laughter.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• The outdated advice families were once given—and Melissa’s mom’s courageous response

• How Melissa’s relationship with her brother shaped her writing

• Representation of people with Down syndrome in literature

• Her latest book, Down Syndrome Out Loud

• And yes… an appearance from Rosemary the chicken 🐔

About Our Guest: Melissa Hart is a journalist and essayist from Oregon, and the award-winning author of Avenging the Owl, Daisy Woodworm Changes the World, Better With Books, and her latest release, Down Syndrome Out Loud. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Smithsonian, Real Simple, and more. Melissa is also a master naturalist, an avid kayaker, and a proud chicken mom. She teaches in the MFA in Creative Writing program at Southern New Hampshire University and holds a BA in Literature from UC Santa Barbara and an MFA in Creative Writing from Goddard College.

SHOW NOTES

• Connect with Melissa at https://www.melissahart.com/

• Learn more about Melissa's newest book at ⁠Down Syndrome Out Loud⁠

•  ⁠Follow Melissa on Instagram⁠

JOIN THE LUCKY CREW

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!

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!

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.

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SHOW NOTES

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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?

You’ve all been on quite the journey with us. We’ve experienced everything from childbirth, cross-country moving, moments of grief, new diagnoses, global pandemics, and so much more. A lot has changed for each of us but one thing will always be true.. Micha really is a great singer. And 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.

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SHOW NOTES

SHOUT OUT

Learn more about the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network

SPONSORS

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 opportunity for growth or an opportunity for trauma?

• What makes our kids with disabilities more vulnerable even in “safe risk” situations?

• How we do know when to let them take the risk? And when to step in?

We know its dignifying to have the right to make a risky decision, but its also super scary when it comes to our children. Lets unpack this and problem-solve (or try to) together today.

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SHOW NOTES

Read ‘The Dignity of Risk’ by Amy Julia Becker

SHOUT OUT

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 child’s educational needs are met

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.

SHOW NOTES

• ​Follow Ashley at @thecollaborativeiep and find her website here.

SHOUT OUT

• ​Learn more about The College of Adaptive Arts here and follow them on instagram!

SPONSORS

• ​Learn more about Jack’s Basket.
• Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

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 they seem

• How to manage our own expectations of our children and their activities

Here’s what we’ve learned: the attitude of the people in charge really matters. And if we can find programs with inclusive-minded leaders who understand our kids with DS, then that’s where we need to be. Join us today as we dive into our personal experiences (both positive and negative) with musical theater, gymnastics, and swim. And don’t forget that any program is lucky to have your child!

SPONSORS

• Learn more about Jack’s Basket.

• Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

JOIN THE LUCKY CREW

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today! 

HEATHER’S NEW BOOK

Pre-order Heather’s newest children’s book: I Like You So Much!

DISCOUNT CODE

Friends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on The Lucky Few Merch Shop and use code PODCAST for 10% off!

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 transportation, + more! We’re excited to share with you just how we used them. So take some notes then start planning your next trip!

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SHOW NOTES

• SHOUT OUT: Check out Cafe Joyeux on instagram and their website

• Watch 47, a short film produced by Cafe Joyeux

SPONSORS

• Learn more about Jack’s Basket.

• Learn more about Enable Special Needs Planning.

JOIN THE LUCKY CREW

Join us in celebrating and supporting The Lucky Few Podcast! For just $4.99 a month, you can help us continue shouting worth and shifting narratives for people with Down syndrome. Enjoy bonus episodes where we dive deeper into the most controversial issues, shop discounts, and more! Become an essential part of The Lucky Few movement today!