T21Mom-A Down Syndrome Podcast

On today's episode, Mary talks about her recent vacation and how it was so successful. Hint - it involves a large water slide. She shares some of the other fun and adapted activities that they did. She also talks about how she is creating her own Down syndrome community by hosting a BBQ for her parent support group that included a water fight, a cookie buffet and fun in the pool!

Mary talks with returning guest, Christine Wiebe, about homeschooling kids with Down syndrome. Christine believes that anyone can homeschool their child, you just have to have the desire and motivation to do so. They talk about the myth that homeschoolers lack socialization, the benefits of homeschooling and lots of tips and tricks to get you started or to help you on your journey. Several links were talked about during the podcast and you can find them here: Homeschooling regulations in Canada Homeschooling regulations in Canada Homeschooling regulations in the USA Homeschooling regulations in the USA DSRF learn at home resources DSRF Learn at Home Resources Homeschooling and Down syndrome Facebook group Homeschooling and Down syndrome Facebook group Homeschooling Support and Down Syndrome (DSDN) Facebook group Homeschooling and Down syndrome Facebook group Handwriting Without Tears Handwriting Without Tears Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome

In this episode Mary talks about her grief and some recent challenging times. She shares some of the tips she is using for self-care, including flowers and knitting. She admits she is not a fabulous knitter, but enjoys it anyways. And she chats about her upcoming getaway that includes wine. Although the isolation is real, know you are not alone.

Mary talks with Rocking Mom, Stephanie, about Childhood Apraxia of Speech, also known as apraxia. Stephanie shares her journey about her son Odin, who likely has the diagnosis of apraxia of speech and how she has had to fight for services for her son. Stephanie talks about what to look for if you suspect your child has apraxia, and the different types of therapies her son needs. For more information go to ASHA.org. If you would like your own Characteristics of Down Syndrome picture, please contact Stephanie on Facebook at Advocate, Celebrate, Educate: Down Syndrome Awareness.

Mary shares about the end of the school year with Ainsley and some of the challenges this past year has brought, the dance recital, and Challenger baseball. She also talks about the ever increasing gap between Ainsley and her peers, and how that has affected her, but also shares her plans for the summer (it includes wine!)

The Essential Guide for Down Syndrome Families. Mary chats with rocking dad and author, Steve Friedman, who wrote “The Essential Guide for Down Syndrome Families.” This Guide, as Steve likes to call it, is an excellent resource for all families who have a loved one with Down syndrome and how to create a life of independence, regardless of how old your child is. As Steve says, it’s never to late to start! To order the Guide go to BeyondDownSyndrome.net

Mary talks about her success at the Farmers Market selling cookies of course, and why she didn’t get a table next to Starbucks at the "Run Up For Down Syndrome". She also talks about the the Boat for Hope, an annual event, put on by Variety, the Children’s Charity, and how much they have done for Ainsley.

Mary talks with her friend Katie De Nardi Grant, a travel agent that specializes in creating vacations for families that have a child with special needs. Katie travels a lot with her daughter Sloan, who has Down syndrome and some other medical issues, but this has not stopped her. If there's a trip you want to take, do it, and Katie shares how. Katie provides lots of tips on how to navigate flying and to make it less stressful and anxious for everyone, and also talks about the different types of trips a family can take with their child with Down syndrome, including Disneyland, cruises,resorts and even dude ranches! Find Katie at unlockingspecialneedstravel.com

Today is another mini episode and Mary talks about the Run Up For Down Syndrome and her cookie fundraising for the event. She also talks about the Adaptive Dance that Ainsley has been going to since September and some of the ongoing challenges with that and her lack of participation. And of course, there's talk about cookies! DSRF.org

Mary chats with Melissa Hart about her recently released book “Daisy Woodworm Changes the World”, and about growing up with a younger brother who has Down syndrome. Melissa is a strong advocate for highlighting people with Down syndrome in various media and believes that people with Down syndrome add so much to families and friendships. And find out what happens when her brother Mark meets movie star Sandra Bullock! You can find her books at MelissaHart.com. This episode has some audio issues and we apologize that we can't fix them.

This is a mini-episode of Mary sharing what's been on her mind. She talks about Challenger baseball, Mother's Day, some behaviour issues Ainsley is having at school, and trying to have some success gardening (Dennis is unsure of her success!).

Mary talks with Brady Murray of ROD's Heroes-an organization that is dedicated to helping children in orphanages that have Down syndrome and other disabilities, find their forever homes. Hear what happens when Brady decides to do an Ironman and allowed to let miracles happen! ROD's is an incredible organization that believes all children deserve a loving, forever home and to have the chance to sing the song they are meant to sing. Find out how you can become an Unstoppable Advocate, and perhaps you might find it in your heart to adopt one of ROD's Heroes. To find out more check out their Instagram at RodsHeroes and at RODS.org

Mary chats with Darcy Day on how she learned that her 18 year old son Brady, who has Down syndrome, was able to communicate through spelling! It is a fascinating and heart warming conversation about always assuming competence on our kids. Darcy is on a mission to help people with Apraxia find their voice through spelling to communicate (S2C). To find out more or to contact Darcy, go to Brand New Day. Click here to learn more about Spellers - The Movie

Mary chats with Cristin Condon who is a life coach, meditation teacher and a Marie Kondo professional organizer. Cristin is a single mom with three kids including her son with Down syndrome and understands how important self-care is for parents of children with disabilities. Cristin has created a plan that helps parents deal with burnout and how we can enjoy our life again without sacrificing our child's needs. There are eight areas that Cristin focuses on for self-care for special needs parents, and they are all very doable and achievable. To find out more about Cristin and the types of programs she offers, visit CristinCondon.com

Mary talks with Rose Reif, a Licensed Clincical Mental Health Counsellor, about a topic we don’t hear about too often-grief. Rose provides insight and tips on how to handle and manage the grief of our child’s diagnosis. Rose talks about several things around grief-including that your grief does not mean you don’t love your child and why it can be important to schedule time to be sad and so much more. To learn more about Rose, visit RoseReif.com We apologize for Mary's mic problems at the beginning of the interview. It couldn't be fixed "in post".

Mary has an eye-opening conversation with author Meeka Caldwell about her "My Friend Anian" book series. When Meeka couldn't find any books about Down syndrome and a black family, she decided to write her own. It's an open conversation about race, Down syndrome and having representation. Find Meeka's books at BrownBaby321.com or any online retailer.

Mary talks about what's ahead in Series 5.

In this last episode of Season 4, Mary and Ron have a chat about what Christmas will look like this year. Sleigh Bells SFX Courtesy: License: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Music Attribution Jingle Bells CC Commons Licence Jingle Bells by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mary talks with filmmakers Olivier & Hilda Bernier. The Bernier's have created a film documenting their son Emilio, who has Down syndrome, and his struggle with inclusion in the school system.

Mary tells tales from the 2022 "Rockin Moms Retreat" in Washington DC. Make sure you have snacks and beverages, it's a long episode!

Mary talks with Dr Jonathon Santoro, Medical Director, Neuroimmunology and Demyelinating Disorders Program Attending Physician, Division of Neurology at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles about regression.

Mary talks with Sara Peralta, a Behaviour Analyst at the Down syndrome Resource Foundation. Down Syndrome Resource Foundation

Mary talks with Dawn Barclay, author of "Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse". Dawn Barclay's Blog Amazon Link to Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse

Mary has a fascinating discussion with Dr. Vaish Sarathy about functional nutrition. Functional Nutrition Website Dr. Sarathy's Functional Nutrition Podcast

Mary has a fascinating conversation with Dr. Liz Head, Professor, Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine at the University of California - Irvine, about research into people with Down syndrome and Alzheimers. Canadian Clinical Trials United States Clinical Trials

Mary and Ron catch up on how busy they have been over the first part of the summer. Apologies for Ron's mic

Mary talks with Liv Meriano, a Speech & Language Pathologist at the Down Syndrome Resource Foundation. Down Syndrome Resource Foundation

Mary talks with Ebonie Shaniece and Corinne Turrini about diagnosis and treatments for Infantile Spasms.

Mary talks with New York Times best selling author and podcast host Heather Avis of The Lucky Few. HeatherAvis.com The Lucky Few Foundation The Lucky Few Podcast

Rockin' Mom Amanda Brunning shares her adoption story with Mary.

Mary talks with Daria Kolmiiets about leaving Ukraine for Canada back in 2019 and her experiences in Ukraine as the mother of a special needs child, and more. Donation Link for "The Red Cross For Ukraine" Campaign Donation Link to "Ainsley's Army" for the Run Up For Down Syndrome

Mary has a conversation with Toilet Learning Specialist Dr. Katie Rinald. Blackbird Toileting Website Chummie Bed Wetting Alarm https://toilettraining.thinkific.com/courses/poop-training-101 Poop Training 101 Toilet Training for Everyone Katie's Instagram - Toileting101

Mary talks with Rockin Mom Falon Griffin about the adventure of delivering her daughter at a Chick-Fil-A restaurant.

Mary talks with Dr Gretchen Good about her life in New Zealand, and who has two adopted children with Down syndrome.

Mary talks with Megan Libassi about her birth diagnosis while working overseas, and about her fitness and wellness program designed for Special Needs Moms. https://oxygenfitcoach.click/stayhealthy

In the Series 4 opener Mary and Ron catch up on what's happened over the show's hiatus, and where the new series might go.

Mary and Ron have a chat about how Christmas 2021 is shaping up for them and how they're looking forward to the New Year.

In this last episode of Series 3, Mary and Ron talk about the guests and topics that stood out to each of them through the year, and a brief look ahead to Series 4 starting in late January of 2022.

Mary has a kindred conversation with fellow cookie baker and T21Mom Miranda Klinger. The conversation wanders from baking and work spaces, to the hopes of developing real world skills for their respective daughters. Instagram @21treatsyqr 21 Treats Contact 21 Treats

Mary has a conversation with Down syndrome community activist Josh Derrick about the multitude of ways he contributes to the community. Josh Derrick Facebook

Mary has an illuminating conversation with Jolene Philo, co-author of "Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities". Different Dream Living Jolene Philo's Blog Book - Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities

Mary chats with Inclusion Specialist Sara Jo Soldvieri about how to talk about inclusion, what it is, and what it looks like. Sara Jo on Facebook

Mary talks with T21Mom Amanda Caffrey, mother of Rosie, about her New Jersey school district's refusal to let Rosie ride the school bus with her brother and care aide. Link to Public Facebook Group "Let Rosie Ride"

Mary talks with Nashville based photographer Stephanie Mullowney who specializes in portraits of children with Down syndrome. Stephanie is also a single mother of a 7 year old daughter with Down syndrome. Paper Dolls Photography Website

Mary talks with Lindsey Strickland, founder of "Worth The Conversation" about sexual abuse in the Down syndrome community. They discuss tips on prevention, how to talk with your kids about it, and recognizing the signs of abuse. Worth The Conversation Website

Mary talks with Dr. Brian Skotko, founder of the Down Syndrome Clinic To You (DSC2U). DSC2U is a groundbreaking web portal for information and consultations on Down Syndrome. DSC2U Website

Mary talks with Ella Cullen, author of "Breastfeeding and Down Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide for Mothers and Medical Professionals", and founder of Julia's Way a resource group for mother's of children with Down syndrome who are having difficulty breastfeeding. Joining the discussion are Jill Rabin, a certified lactation consultant and Rachel Murphy, a mother who has succesfully used the techniques discussed. Julia's Way e-mail [email protected]

Mary interviews Lauren Costabile. Lauren is the founder of Hearts Of Joy International, an organization that arranges heart surgeries for children with Down syndrome in less developed countries. Hearts Of Joy International

Mary has a conversation with inspirational16 year old Reilly Cate who runs a non-profit that delivers gift baskets to families who have adopted children with Down syndrome The Trium Tribe

Mary welcomes back Behaviour Analyst Katie Rinald for a conversation about toilet training techniques for older kids. Blackbird Special Education Website Katie can be reached at [email protected]