The Lucky Few

In this final episode of our “What I Wish I Knew” series, we’re taking a step back to reflect on advocacy—what it’s looked like for us over the years, what’s changed, and what we wish we understood earlier.
We talk honestly about the emotional weight of advocating for our kids with Down syndrome, the tension of speaking up in systems that don’t always listen, and the growth that comes from learning to trust your instincts.
From early parenting moments to IEP meetings and navigating social media, this conversation explores the complexity of advocacy—how it evolves, where it gets messy, and why it’s never just one moment, but a lifelong process.
We also dig into how advocacy has shifted in the age of social media—the connection it brings, but also the pressure, comparison, and confusion around what it’s supposed to look like.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, unsure, or alone in advocating for your child, this episode offers perspective, honesty, and encouragement.
Why advocacy is unavoidable as a parent of a child with Down syndrome
Learning to trust your gut—even when “experts” disagree
The emotional reality of speaking up and pushing back
How advocacy evolves over time and gets more complex
Social media: connection, pressure, and comparison
Redefining what advocacy actually looks like
Advocacy isn’t about doing more or being louder—it’s about staying grounded in your “why,” trusting your instincts, and showing up for your child over time.
What We CoverKey Takeaway

🎧 More on Advocacy
Episode 101: Jalondra Davis on Race, Disability, & Advocacy
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000508421336
Episode 262: 45 Years of Advocacy — A Conversation with Kandi Pickard
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000660264316
Episode 17: Self Advocacy — Down Syndrome in DC (with Kayla McKeon)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000425139176
Episode 172: Defining Ableism, Allyship & Advocacy + Redefining “Inclusion” (with Priya Lalvani)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000574499987
Episode 256: Celebrating Motherhood, Advocacy, & Community (with Black Down Syndrome Association)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000654745623
Throwback: Unlearning the Advocacy Language
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000504975552

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Are you using functional medicine with your child—or just starting to look into it? Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? We’d love to hear from you.
Find us on Instagram: ⁠@theluckyfewpod⁠

In this episode of our “What I Wish I Knew” series, we’re talking about functional medicine—what it is, what’s helped us, and what we wish we understood earlier.
We share real experiences navigating diet changes, supplements, specialists, and the cost of it all, while exploring a whole-body approach that looks beyond symptoms.
We also talk about how to integrate functional and traditional medicine without feeling like you have to choose one or the other.
If you’re curious about functional medicine but unsure where to start, this is a practical, honest starting point.

What We Cover
What functional medicine is and how it looks at the whole body
How diet, gut health, and environment can impact behavior and overall health
Practical ways to start without getting overwhelmed or spending a lot
Key Takeaway:
You don’t have to choose between functional and traditional medicine—start small, stay curious, and pay attention to what actually helps your child.

Links:
Listen to Previous Episodes
Episode 38: Nonlinear Learning & Communication (with Dr. Vaish Sarathy) ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000624491053⁠⁠
Episode 79: Understanding Functional Nutrition for Our Kids w/Down Syndrome (with Dr. Vaish Sarathy)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000487763974
Episode 80: Assuming Intelligence in Our Kids w/Down Syndrome (with Dr. Vaish Sarathy)
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lucky-few/id1349646917?i=1000487049081
Vaish Sarathy: ⁠https://www.meaningfulspeech.com⁠
Follow Vaish Sarathy on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/meaningfulspeech/
Speaking of Health & Wellness: https://speakingofhealthandwellness.com

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Are you using functional medicine with your child—or just starting to look into it? Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? We’d love to hear from you.
Find us on Instagram: @theluckyfewpod

In this episode of The Lucky Few Podcast, we continue our “What I Wish I Knew” series with a real and honest conversation about AAC (Augmentative & Alternative Communication) - Supporting Communication Without Limiting It
Micha shares her journey with her son Ace and how her understanding of AAC has evolved over time—from treating it like a therapy tool to recognizing it as a language and a way of life. Along the way, we talk through common misconceptions, frustrations, and the mindset shifts that can make all the difference.
If you’ve ever wondered whether AAC is “right” for your child—or felt unsure where to start—this episode is a grounded place to begin.

What We Cover
What AAC actually is—and why it’s for more kids than people think
The shift from testing communication → modeling communication
How to get started (IEP, evaluations, and real-world barriers)
Key Mindset Shift + Takeaways
AAC isn’t a tool you bring out for practice—it’s a language you live in.
That means modeling instead of requiring, assuming competence even when it’s hard to see, and remembering that communication is about connection—not just requests. For many kids, the challenge isn’t understanding—it’s motor planning. And like any language, AAC only works when it’s used consistently in everyday life, not just during therapy or structured time.

Links:
AbleNet https://www.ablenetinc.com/ Torganization mentioned in the episode for helping families get AAC devices (including working with insurance).

Mercedes’ “third class Titanic” photo reference (watch here):
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVMSIy0EsI5/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Are you using AAC with your child? Thinking about it? Struggling with it?
We’d love to hear what’s working—and what’s not.
Find us on Instagram: @theluckyfewpod

In this episode, we’re talking about travel and accessibility—what’s actually available, what we’ve learned the hard way (and the helpful way), and the questions that come with it.
Fresh off an international trip, Heather shares real-life stories of navigating airports, museums, and public spaces with accessibility services—and realizing oh… this changes everything.
Also, turns out you might not need to stand in that two-hour line. Just saying.

We also wrestle with the bigger question: Should we use these services if our kids can do it without them?

We talk about:
Using accessibility services in airports (like TSA Cares and pre-boarding)
Skipping long lines at museums and major attractions
Free and discounted access for people with disabilities and their companions
The tension between presuming competence and accepting support
Letting go of pressure and adjusting expectations while traveling
Why flexibility matters more than having the “perfect” trip
We share stories from New York, London, and Paris—and how these supports made travel not just possible, but enjoyable.
At the end of the day, this is about knowing your child, trusting your instincts, and using what’s available to make space for your family.
Your family belongs in these places.

Related Episodes
Can a Person with Down Syndrome Travel the World? (Ep. 278) – Exploring what’s possible with global travel.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/278-can-a-person-with-down-syndrome-travel-the-world/id1349646917?i=1000672187141
Planes, Trains & Presuming Competence (Ep. 296) – Travel, transitions, and supporting our kids well.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/296-planes-trains-presuming-competence/id1349646917?i=1000704406975
Traveling with the Lara Family (Ep. 35) – A real family’s experience traveling with Down syndrome.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/35-traveling-with-the-lara-family/id1349646917?i=1000446155118
How to Keep Your Kids with Down Syndrome Healthy While Traveling (Ep. 129) – Simple ways to stay healthy on the road.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/129-how-to-keep-your-kids-with-ds-healthy-while/id1349646917?i=1000532940758

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Friends, we’re bringing back one of our favorite conversations — our interview with Noah Matthews Matofsky, who starred as Slightly in Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy.
When this film premiered, Noah became the first actor with Down syndrome to have a speaking role in a live-action Disney feature film. And we had the joy of sitting down with him not long after the movie was released.
In this episode, Noah joins us from the UK to share:
How he went from school plays to being cast in a Disney film

What it was like auditioning during lockdown

Learning lines and filming stunts (yes, he had a stunt double!)

Six months on set in Canada

Red carpets, press tours, and being recognized in public

Why representation matters

His dreams for what’s next (Harry Potter? Toy Story? We’re planting seeds.)

We also hear from Noah’s dad about what it was like supporting him through filming, balancing family life, and watching his dream unfold.
This conversation is joyful, funny, and hopeful. It’s a reminder that our kids belong on every stage — including the biggest ones.
Noah is also an ambassador for Down Syndrome UK and continues to use his platform to encourage others:
“Don’t take it as a disadvantage. Add that to your life and do more in your life.”
We’re so proud of him. And we’re so grateful for the way representation continues to grow.

Follow Noah⁠ on Instagram for more behind the scenes and see what’s next!
Noah has been invited to be a keynote speaker at the International Down Syndrome Congress in Florida this summer and is ⁠raising funds⁠ for his travel expenses.

CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST
⁠⁠WEBSITE⁠⁠

⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠

⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH HEATHER AVIS
WEBSITE: ⁠⁠THE LUCKY FEW OFFICIAL⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠THELUCKYFEWOFFICAL⁠⁠

⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠

⁠⁠I LIKE YOU SO MUCH⁠⁠

⁠⁠THIS IS DOWN SYNDROME⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH MERCEDES LARA
IG: ⁠⁠HOORAY4THELARAS⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠HUMANLY.TV⁠⁠

⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH MICHA BOYETT
⁠⁠MICHABOYETT.COM⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠ACEFACEISMYFRIEND⁠⁠

IG: ⁠⁠MICHABOYETT⁠⁠

LISTEN TO ⁠⁠THE SLOW WAY⁠⁠

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.