The Lucky Few

Show Notes
In this episode of were talking about infantilizing — what it is, how it shows up, and why it matters.
To infantilize someone is to treat them as younger or less capable than they are. For people with disabilities, this often shows up in subtle but harmful ways: baby talk, lowered expectations, behavior plans for age-appropriate teen behavior, speaking about someone as if they aren’t in the room, or limiting choices because we assume immaturity.
We share real stories:
When typical high school behavior is labeled as a disability issue

How communication differences get mistaken for lack of intelligence

The risk of tying maturity to verbal skills

The hidden cost of withholding autonomy and choice

How even we, as parents, have had to unlearn assumptions

We talk about the radical assumption of competence — and how dignity starts with how we speak.
Our kids’ age is their age.
Their interests don’t define their intelligence.
And adults deserve to be treated like adults.
This conversation is nuanced. It’s uncomfortable at times. But it’s necessary.
Let’s raise expectations.
Let’s offer real choices.
And let’s stop talking to adults like they’re toddlers.

In this episode of The Lucky Few Podcast, we continue our What I Wish I’d Known series by talking about inclusion — and being honest about how it actually feels.
When we hear the word inclusion, we don’t immediately feel hopeful. We feel heaviness. Process. Fight. Sometimes discouragement.
We talk about why inclusion so often becomes a disability service instead of a true community responsibility. We wrestle with school settings, adult programs, housing, and the limited options available once our kids grow up. We name the exhaustion of always being the one advocating — and the toll it takes on our kids to keep showing up in spaces not built for them.
At the center of this conversation is this truth:
The existence of a person with Down syndrome in the world is their resistance.
Our kids take up space. They walk into rooms. They show up in communities that weren’t designed for them. That matters.
Inclusion isn’t a program to be applauded. It’s a cultural shift. And while we may feel weary some days, we still believe our kids belong — not as a service, but as neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
We see you doing the work. Take a breath if you need to. And keep going.

Show Notes
For more thoughtful work on disability, community living, and person-centered inclusion, visit Open Future Learning: https://www.openfuturelearning.org/**

Interested in diving deeper?
We’ve talked about inclusion before — especially in the context of school, IEPs, and advocacy. If you want to explore more episodes with an emphasis on inclusion in education and collaboration, start here:
Episode 78: Building Trust (Not Barriers) w/Your Child’s IEP Team
https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/iep-advocacy

Episode 94: IEPs During COVID-19 (ft. Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie)
https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/inclusive-education-project

Episode 270: IEP Success: How to Plan, Communicate, and Collaborate (w/April Rehrig)
https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/270-iep-success-how-to-plan-communicate-and-collaborate-april-rehrig

Episode 272: What Do We Wish We Knew Before Our First IEP Meeting?
https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/272-what-do-we-wish-we-knew-before-our-first-iep-meeting-heather-avis-mercedes-lara

Episode 273: Breaking Down Barriers: The Parent’s Role in IEP Success (w/Ashley Barlow)
https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/273-breaking-down-barriers-the-parents-role-in-iep-success-with-ashley-barlow

EPs can feel overwhelming, emotional, and complicated—and that’s because they are.
In this episode of The Lucky Few Podcast, we kick off our new season, What I Wish I’d Known About…, by talking about IEPs—what we wish we understood from the very beginning, and what we’ve learned the hard way.
Fresh off a multi-hour meeting, we share honestly about the exhaustion, the tension, and the “us vs. them” dynamic that can creep in. We unpack how evaluations drive goals, how goals drive placement, and why learning the language of the IEP changes everything. We talk about inclusion, evolving expectations, and what it looks like to follow our child’s lead as they grow.
Most importantly, we remind ourselves—and you—of this:
Our kids are not problems to fix.
The IEP exists to serve them.
Whether this is your first meeting or your fifteenth, we hope this conversation helps you feel more steady, more informed, and less alone.

SHOW NOTES:
For more practical guidance, we’ve learned a lot from Ashley Barlow and her work at Ashley Barlow Co.. She offers clear, actionable resources to help you navigate IEPs, strengthen your advocacy skills, and understand your rights—all in one place.

Check out more IEP Episodes:
78. Building Trust (Not Barriers) w/Your Child’s IEP Team – IEP advocacy tips.

94. IEPs during COVID-19, ft. IEP Lawyers Vickie Brett & Amanda Selogie – IEPs & distance learning.

272. What Do We Wish We Knew Before Our First IEP Meeting? – Reflections on early IEPs.

270. IEP Success: How to Plan, Communicate, and Collaborate (w/April Rehrig) – Practical IEP strategies.

273. Breaking Down Barriers: The Parent’s Role In IEP Success (w/Ashley Barlow) – Parent advocacy in IEPs.

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

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We’re bringing back one of our favorite conversations in honor of an extraordinary athlete, mom, and advocate who continues to redefine what’s possible.
Elana Meyers Taylor is a five-time Olympian and one of the most decorated athletes in winter sports history. She has earned one gold, three silver, and two bronze Olympic medals for Team USA, and is a four-time World Champion, with two gold medals in both the two-woman and mixed team events. She is also the most decorated Black winter Olympian of all time.
But medals are only part of her story.
Elana is mom to two boys. Her son Nico has Down syndrome, and both of her sons are deaf. In this episode, she shares what it was like to welcome Nico at the start of the pandemic while continuing to train at the highest level. It’s an honest look at motherhood, elite sport, and advocacy.
Elana brings her family with her and uses her platform to speak openly about Down syndrome, ASL, and greater inclusion in winter sports.
As we replay this episode, we’re cheering her on — not just for what she’s accomplished, but for how she leads.

January felt heavy. So instead of pretending we had it all figured out, we talked honestly about what we wish we’d known earlier.
In this kickoff episode of What We Wish We’d Known, Heather, Micah, and Mercedes reflect on lessons that only come with time, experience, and a lot of unlearning.
In this episode, we talk about:
Letting go of milestone pressure, assuming competence, and unlearning ableism

Rethinking inclusion, communication (including AAC), and what real support looks like

Identity, advocacy, and why the goal was never a “poster child” — just a whole human

This episode is part reflection and part reset. Whether you’re brand new or years into this journey, we hope it gives you permission to breathe, recalibrate, and keep learning.
💛 DM us what you wish you’d known — and what you want us to cover this season.

SHOW NOTES
Check out AbleNet, an assistive technology company that helps families access AAC devices quickly, often handling insurance and paperwork on their behalf.

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

HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE
Interested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ for more information!

LET’S CHAT
Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ with your questions and Good News or Shout Outs for future episodes.