In this episode we discuss facing some of the difficulties of 2020 and how to move onto a fresh new year in a positive way.
38. Moving Into A New Year One Moment At A Time
37. Our Community’s Response To Emmerdale’s Negative Storyline About Down Syndrome with Cristina Bowman
In this episode we talk with Cristina Bowman of Diff-Ability about the British soap opera Emmerdale and it’s recent storyline which depicts a couple having an abortion because their baby has Down syndrome.
36. Giving Everyone Access to a Down Syndrome Specialty Clinic with DSC2U – Dr. Brian Skotko
Dr. Brian is the director of the Down Syndrome Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, a Board-certified medical geneticist and has dedicated his professional energies toward children with cognitive and developmental disabilities. Today we talk about his new online clinic, DSC2U, the importance of inclusion and how we as a community can help the medical profession improve their delivery of a Down syndrome diagnosis.
DSC2U: https://dsc2u.org
35. Building a Realistic Approach to a Healthy Dental Routine – Dr. Jill Lasky
In our second interview with Dr. Jill we discuss the methods and tools for parents who want to support their children in making good dental health habits.
34. How To Use The Summertime To Your Advantage
The summer is a time to play and relax but if you use it as a time to front load for the coming school year, as well, it can be that academic advantage you have been looking for.
33. Our Congratulations Message to New Parents
We originally created this podcast to support parents of children with Down syndrome and this episode is directed specifically to new parents who have just recently received their child’s diagnosis. Our message is of hope and possibility in a world which often offers very little.
32. Changing Our World – Chris Nikic’s 1% Philosophy
Chris joins us again, with his parents Nik and Patty, to discuss how they have changed their approach to learning and how that has prepared Chris to do things no person with Down syndrome has ever done before.
Chris’s Website: https://chrisnikic.com
31. Using The Arts To Tell Your Story – A Conversation with Nic Novicki
Nic Novicki joins us again to talk about the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and letting your voice be heard through the arts.
30. Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Working Together To Change Perceptions
In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month we discuss our part, as a community, in changing the perceptions of Down syndrome through our thoughts and words. We also look back on some lessons we have learned from past guests.
29. Insights Into Our First COVID-19 IEP Session
We just had our first Zoom IEP session since the pandemic started and we have found several new things that parents should be aware of. We also further discuss ways to prepare for these meetings and touch on questions every parent should ask their IEP team.
28. A Story of Inclusion with Eleanor Baggaley- Author of ‘Ava The Mermaid’
Our conversation with author, wife, mother of three and Down syndrome advocate, Eleanor Baggaley. We discuss inclusion and her children’s books, particularly ‘Eva The Mermaid’. Eleanor also shares about her work with the organization Positive About Down Syndrome and some of her future plans of advocacy in the community.
Eleanor’s Website: https://www.eleanorbaggaley.com/shop
Positive About Down Syndrome: https://positiveaboutdownsyndrome.co.uk
27. Our IEP Process: Some Things We Have Learned
IEP’s can be very overwhelming especially when you feel like you don’t have all the information that you want to have. In this episode we share some of the things we have learned to be helpful during this sometimes stressful process and ways to advocate for your child while still keeping your peace.
26. PALS Programs – A Deeper Conversation About Down Syndrome
Our second interview with members of the PALS Programs. We talk about how the PALS Programs is planning for future camps and some of the more personal experiences the founders of the organization have with Down syndrome. Joining us is Executive Director, Jenni Newbury Ross and her mother Robyn and brother Jason. We were also joined by Congratulations Project Associate, Grace Wahle and Communications Coordinator, Colton Davies.
PALS Program: https://www.palsprograms.org
Congratulations Project: https://www.congratulationsproject.org
25. A Right to Celebrate – When the Medical Profession Steals the Joy of New Parents – Rachel Mewes
Our second interview with Rachel Mewes. Rachel is a contributing editor to Making Chromosomes Count, the Down syndrome community newspaper. She opens up on her not so uncommon birth story and the prejudices she found in the medical profession.
Making Chromosomes Count: http://makingchromosomescount.co.uk
24. The Importance of Disability Inclusion in Film – Nic Novicki
Comedian, actor, producer and disability advocate Nic Novicki joins us to talk about the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge and the importance of disability inclusion in film.
Film Challenge Website: https://disabilityfilmchallenge.com
Our 2020 EDFC entry: https://youtu.be/WiX-rt51szo
All the challenge’s films on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOhZ4i5Tnk3iq44Tzn03rBMOcr0bqFrnV
23. Raised by a Father with Down Syndrome – Our Interview with Sader Issa
Our enlightening and inspiring interview with Sader Issa. As parents we are always told what our children will never do. What if those limits were not part of the conversation?
22. A Meditation Gift from Paul Denniston – Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation
Paul Denniston has gifted us with a Yoga Nidra Guided Meditation. Enjoy.
Paul’s Website: https://griefyoga.com
21. A Conversation About Healing and Self Care with Paul Denniston
Paul Denniston discusses how we can all heal through meditation and his Grief Yoga.
Paul’s Website: https://griefyoga.com
20. A New School Year – COVID19, IEPs and Supports – Georgianna Junco-Kelman
Another informative talk with attorney Georgianna Junco-Kelman. What do parents need to know heading into a new school year amidst COVID-19?
Georgianna’s Website: http://www.losangelesspecialedattorney.com
CA Special Education Guidelines for COVID-19: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/specialedcovid19guidance.asp
19. PALS Programs – Congratulations Project
Our interview with members of the PALS Program. We talk about the organization and specifically their Congratulations Project. Joining us is Co-founder and Executive Director, Jenni Newbury Ross and her mother and brother, Robyn and Jason. We were also joined by Congratulations Project Associate, Grace Wahle and Communications Coordinator, Colton Davies.
Congratulations Project: https://www.congratulationsproject.org
18. Project Understood – Part 2 – Two Perspectives of Down Syndrome – Ed Casagrande and Matt MacNeil
Our second interview with Ed Casagrande and Matt MacNeil from the Canadian Down Syndrome Society concerning their collaboration with Google AI to create a database that can help train Google’s speech recognition technology to better understand people with Down Syndrome.
Donate your voice at: https://projectunderstood.ca
CDSS “Down Syndrome Answers” Initiative: https://cdss.ca/down-syndrome-answers/
17. Creating a Positive Dental Health Relationship – Dr. Jill Lasky
Dr. Jill Lasky discusses the importance of Pediatric Dentistry, how to introduce dental care and specifics pertaining to the Down Syndrome community.
16. Pushing The Limits – Chris Nikic’s Road To IRONMAN
Interview with Chris Nikic and his parents, Nik and Patty. Chris is the first person with Down syndrome to complete a half IRONMAN and is training to attempt the full 140.6 mile course in November. We discuss how people with Down Syndrome can do more than ever expected if given the right tools and time.
15. Project Understood – The Canadian Down Syndrome Society
Our interview with Ed Casagrande and Matt MacNeil from the Canadian Down Syndrome Society concerning their collaboration with Google AI to create a database that can help train Google’s speech recognition technology to better understand people with Down Syndrome.
14. An Honest Conversation with Julie Picot
Our second interview with Julie Picot, a mother of a child with Down Syndrome, and some of the challenges she has faced regarding stereotypes and preconceived notions of her child’s disability.
13. Early Intervention: At Home Tools and Supports – Caroline Bencze-Fernandez
In this second appearance on the podcast, Caroline dives a little deeper about the aspects of Early Intervention, what tools parents can use at home and how therapies for children with Down syndrome have changed over the years.
12. Our Interview with Melissa Kynoch – Part 2
The Second part of our interview with Melissa Kynoch from the BBC documentary, “Life and Birth”.
11. The Responsibility and Power of Words on Social Media – Interview with Rachel Mewes
Our Interview with Rachel Mewes to discuss her interactions with Twitter and their reluctance to combat hate speech toward people with Down Syndrome.
10. Our Interview with Melissa Kynoch – Part 1
Our interview with Melissa Kynoch to discuss her experiences as a mother and her involvement with the BBC1 documentary Life and Birth.
9. Sibling Advocacy – Interview with Sophia Saux
Interview with our daughter Sophia to get her take on growing up with her brother, Liam.
8. Early Intervention – Interview with Caroline Bencze-Fernandez
Interview with Child Development Specialist, Caroline Bencze-Fernandez. She explains the importance of Early Intervention, how therapies have changed throughout her 30 year career and what parents should know.
7. Prenatal Care and Advocacy – Interview with Julie Picot
Interview with Julie Picot discussing her birth story, some of the misinformation she encountered and how she dealt with the post diagnosis fears.
