I cannot say enough about this incredible podcast and these three amazing individuals advocating for their loved ones with Down Syndrome. My husband found this podcast the day after we received our in utero diagnosis at 12 weeks. He started listening immediately while it took me several weeks to be ready to embark on this journey. I started at Episode 1 and have listened to the entire 248 episodes to date! In fact, my husband and I use each episode as our therapy sessions, listening separately and then coming back together to discuss what we learned. This podcast crew is second to none. Heather is the most zealous, loving advocate for her children. I would follow her into battle every day of the week; her heart is full of compassion and empathy, and she is so well spoken. Mercedes is the human embodiment of the fruits of the spirit. She constantly challenges me to see the good in people and situations and to offer the benefit of the doubt. And, Micha is who I aspire to be—her honesty, her resilience, her faith, they are unmatched. She is an encourager, a motivator, and I think we would be best friends if we both lived in NJ. We welcomed our little miracle, Civel Eliza (pronounced like “civil disobedience”), in May of 2023. Our warrior had open heart surgery at UNC hospital in October of ’23 and is THE strongest, bravest, most inspiring little person I know. While it’s been a rollercoaster, I can say unequivocally that it is the best, scariest, most life changing ride I’ve ever been on—and I never want it to stop. With the Lucky Few podcast, I have found healing, I have found hope, and I have found a home. Thank you!

You guys, I love this podcast. I am a mama of a child with Down syndrome and just connect so much with these ladies and the guests on the show. I look forward to listening every week and the day it comes out just happens to be my day off work (win!) It’s my weekly sunshine, and I feel like it’s having a conversation with my girlfriends. Keep up the good work ladies!!

Before listening to this podcast, I’d have said I don’t have a connection with Down syndrome. Now I know that I do, because I am human. I am a normal variation of human being and so are my trisomy 21 siblings. I’m glad we are all here together, whether we meet other people’s expectations or not, and whatever difficulties we happen to experience. So, listen up! This podcast is beautiful.

I love this podcast. I always feel so encouraged after listening and I learn a lot. Thank you, team, for helping me feel less alone on this journey.

I love this podcast. The topics are important and timely and the hosts are so relatable. I wish I had DS mom friends like this! However, can someone PLEASE get Micah a better microphone?

I’ve been a fan of these ladies for a while now. When I have a long drive I’m happy to listen to as many back-to-back episodes as I can. I love the ideas they share and the thoughts on “shoulders down spaces.” I always feel encouraged and fired up to advocate for my son with Down Syndrome and my deaf daughter. The most recent episode made me feel really seen...as we all navigate cringey comments…I was encouraged to know that I’m not the only one “still figuring it out.” So thankful for these friends and the knowledge and encouragement they bring!

While with raising 2 little girls 2 & under I don’t have much time to sit and listen, I want you to know that when I do get the time your voices are a calming force in my life. Our sweet girl, Aggie, was born with Down syndrome at the end of January and she is such a joy in our lives. Still, as you all bring up in your episodes, there are many tough things to navigate when it comes to raising our babies with Down syndrome. We live in a small, rural area that has few resources and even fewer people to connect with, so listening to you all helps me to feel less alone when things get tough. This has been so very important for me in our journey and I hope you continue to share and connect. This matters. You matter. Our kids matter.

This podcast has been such a comfort and inspiration. I started listening at 15 weeks pregnant and binged MOST a of the episodes. At the time I wasn’t ready to listen to episodes about how I could advocate because I was so overwhelmed. My daughter is now 1.5 years and I’ve gone back and listened to all the missed episodes (as well as re-listened to my favs) as I am motivated to step into advocacy. I am in the process of writing a children’s book about my sweet Kiwi girl and her big brother Tristan. I wrote and won a Fund for Teacher’s grant to attend the NDSC convention this summer. I want to know all there is to know about Down Syndrome, especially in regards to reading, as I am a reading specialist. Thank you ladies for being my inspiration and motivator.

I am so glad I found this podcast. I just found this week and am working my way through all the episodes. I so appreciate the many perspectives and personal stories. I don’t have many parents to talk about these things with so it means so much to hear you all talk about the same things that are on my heart. Thank you thank you!

I wasn’t going to listen to this podcast - I didn’t want any “rah-rah yay Down syndrome” podcast after our surprise birth diagnosis of our son, Peter. But one day I caved. And now I have three new best friends. This podcast is normal moms thrown into an extraordinary life and how they navigate it and talk about it. I am so grateful for their honesty, humility, and grace. Thanks, friends. You’re my good news every Tuesday morning!

I love listening to your podcast!! I am honored to be the same episode as Charlotte and Kayla.

I’ve listened to this podcast since the very beginning. I look forward to every episode. The 3 hosts bring such unique perspectives. I don’t have children with down syndrome, however I am an educator and this podcast has helped remold my educational philosophy. Appreciate the vulnerability you all bring as mommas, advocates, and podcast hosts.

About a month ago, I found the podcast and started from the beginning. I have been listening constantly as I take my daughter to all of her therapies and appointments. My daughter lights up with the intro song and smiles when Truly sings! We are almost nearly caught up and I’m going to be sad when I don’t have them to listen to constantly. My daughter, Sadie, does not have down syndrome, but she has a rare neurological condition called Sturge Weber Syndrome. She goes to a group therapy program at ICEC, as Mercedes mentions often, and she has many friends with down syndrome, so I wanted to learn more about the world of down syndrome. I’ve found the podcast to be very relatable for raising a daughter with special needs, even though she does not have down syndrome. Additionally, I just became an education specialist for a homeschool charter, and had even more to relate to Mercedes on given her homeschool journey. It is always interesting to get a parent perspective as I am new to this homeschool world. Like Heather, I also taught in public school and have a special education credential and feel like I would be such a different teacher now after having a child with special needs (I haven’t been in person since match 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic). I also have a strange connection to Micha, and that my best friend moved during the pandemic to Morristown, New Jersey! I had the good fortune to meet Heather this past weekend at the OC Buddy Walk, and she was just as kind and sweet as I would’ve imagined. She took time to talk to my daughter, Sadie, and I and it was such a treat to be able to meet her in person. I am so glad I found this podcast and to learn more about down syndrome, as well as raising a child with special needs.

Each episode makes my heart swell and I can count on happy and hopeful tears each listen. I love you ladies and your humor so much! My daughter with Down syndrome just turned one and I’m trying to find my footing in this brand new world of advocacy. Thank you for sharing your genuine selves with us and thank you for helping to shift my Quinn’s narrative.

So glad I found your podcast! In the last year on the way to therapies I finally have caught up on listening to every episode and learned so much! Thank u! Our little guy Rusk was born 4/16/20 and he brought so much extra joy to our family we decided to adopt another little boy rocking an extra chromosome. Last month we brought him home from A Serbian orphanage and the boys are a week apart learning to walk and love. #extrafewwurds

I’m just finishing up getting my Critical Social Justice M.A. in Special Education and earning my preliminary teaching credential for students with moderate-severe special needs in Southern CA. Last year was my first solo year teaching, my placement was in an under-funded urban middle school. 1/2 of my brilliant students last year were kiddos with Down syndrome. This Podcast!!! This Podcast assists me with gaining knowledge and better understanding for my students and their households in a REAL way—. beyond textbook, historical IEPs, and data records, etc. Yay! Wonderful resource for all educators!

Each week you all give me so much to think about. I deeply appreciate all of the joys and challenges you share. I find myself nodding my head and laughing (or crying) along with you. Thank you for keeping it real and being narrative shifters!

I cannot thank all of you enough for talking about Housing, and featuring Nate Diskint, Founder and Executive Director of CoHomes! My son, Matthew, is 34 and we have been successful with securing many resources he likes, except for Housing. Nate’s vision IS what we have been looking for!! And we have already connected. You are all doing great work and our family Thanks You!!

I look forward to each new release of The Lucky Few Podcast. I have a 9 year old son who has Down syndrome and he altered my life for the better in so many ways. I now serve on my local Down syndrome board. Listening to Heather, Mercedes and Micha is like having my best friends with me on my morning runs. I’m so thankful for their willingness to talk so honestly and for taking on the tough topics. There are great guests on their show which has opened my world to so many resources. I recommend this podcast to everyone I know who has a child with Down syndrome.

I’ve been binging this podcast and I can say it has been so helpful in my life. It’s a must listen to any new parent of a child with Down syndrome. I’m a foster parent who has a sweet little baby girl with Down syndrome who has medical issues and I felt like I had been plunged into the Down Syndrome community with very little information and preparation. This podcast has been SO helpful, informational, and has helped me learn how to be a better advocate for my foster baby. Thanks ladies!

Feeling especially grateful for this community after your @worththeconversation episode! Ordering all the body awareness books and working on my language around touch.

Love the information and resources and encouragement shared! Thank you for all that you do to advocate!

LOVE this podcast. they give helpful information for individuals with down syndrome/ special needs. love all the information and strategies!! excited to listen to more!!

I started a podcast during the Pandemic and it is hard work! I appreciate what the Lucky Few Team is doing even more now. Great content, great guests, great mamas/advocates!

The Lucky Few podcast is by far one of my favorite. It brings you raw and real, and has something for everyone. Heather touches on topics that there’s not many resources on, some really hard topics for anyone, and does such with an immense amount of tenderness, without eliminating the real. Highly recommend giving a listen!

SO many good resources each week!

Dear Lucky Few, My dearest friend Mrs. Moline introduced me to this podcast last year. Her son, my “nephew”, Benson, has been a shining light of joy in our lives. I get emotional thinking about what a beautiful resource your podcast has been for Benson’s family. To have any small chance to better support Michele, Ben & Benson is immeasurably valuable. Thank you so much for show, you have loyal listeners in us!

I don’t have a loved one with DS - I’ve been following Heather for SO LONG and just started listening when they started the podcast - I’m not even sure how I got to following Heather! But I came here to say that I love this podcast. It opens my mind, and now that I’ve become a mom, I feel like it’s helped me to be prepared to advocate for my kid, no matter what the need might be.

I listen to your podcast often, but nothing has touched me as emotionally as the podcast entitled “Finding Your People”. I related so strongly to Heather’s description of holding your shoulders up or letting them down. I never had a phrase for that or even knew I was doing it, until I heard those words. We are often the hang out house in our neighborhood and there is one family that when they come, my shoulders are up and saluting to the heavens in prayer that both they will leave soon and everything goes well. I found freedom in your words “it’s not my job to teach your kids how to behave around my kids” (particularly my son with Down Syndrome). Thank you for those words of freedom. Best, Mary Arnold (Raleigh, NC).

I’m always looking for content and media to consume that helps me create a more inclusive world. I’m not a parent of a child with Down syndrome but I have gained so much benefit and knowledge from this podcast. The hosts are fun and the guests are interesting and engaging. I’m a children’s librarian who also babysits, teaches at children’s church, and runs a Special Olympics Young Athletes group. This podcast has made me better at my job and areas in which I volunteer. Thanks for all your hard work!

Hi friends , This episode hit my heart so hard. Hearing your sweet kiddos support your new book was so touching. I'm ordering your book now, and I'm buying extra copies to hand out for gifts through out the year. Happy Birthday Macyn! My sweet Gracie not only shares your heart surgeon, but you two share the same BIRTHDAY!!!!!! Hooe your day was as AMAZING as you are Macy 💝

I have been listening to this podcast for a year now and when I first started listening, my son with Down Syndrome was 3 months old. I binge listened to all of the episodes all day long while I worked to get caught up. As a new Mama who had a surprise diagnosis at birth and also at the start of this pandemic I cannot even put into words how grateful I am for these ladies and what they do. They helped me through what could have been a really scary lonely time. It was still scary and lonely at times but listening to them and their stories reminded me that I wasn’t alone and that everything was going to be fine. I also found out about Gigi’s Playhouse because of these ladies and that has been a true blessing in our lives as well. I love you ladies and you are my “unicorns”. Keep up the good work! Michele, proud Mama of Benson 💙💛

I can’t even begin to describe what this podcast means to me. I’ve probably listened now for about 2 years now and I’m telling you that this group of mamas and everyone they bring along to educate and advocate for our children with Down syndrome has given me so much comfort and friendship that they will never begin to understand. Oh the depth y’all. I’m telling you I’m alone so much with my two children and one of them has ds and when I listen to these ladies I’ve never felt less alone!!! It’s the truth!!! It’s such a gift beyond any words! It’s so easy to feel so isolated when you don’t have a Facebook also lol!! But on top of that having a child with special needs can always feel like no one gets it!!! I love you guys so much and I’m so so soooo grateful for the resources and encouragement and growth you have given me and my family. ❤️😊sooo much love!! -Sarah Kendrick

I’m so grateful for this podcast. I had the great pleasure of meeting Micha in person for an amazing Down Syndrome mamas dinner pre-pandemic (the Bay missed you lady!), so this podcast already felt like hearing from friends. Add in the fact that they feature my daughter’s phenomenal pediatrician regularly, and that they empower the voices of those WITH Down syndrome, AND the fact that they cover everything a parent of Down syndrome might want to talk/think/hear about…and you get this gift of a podcast. Oh, and Mercedes has the best laugh ever. Thank you ladies, for this work and for your words. This podcast is so important to the Down syndrome community. Love from Tara, fiercely proud mom to Simona (age 5.5)

I love listening to these ladies. All three offer a unique perspective on raising a kid with Down syndrome. And they’re so fun! When I finish listening I feel like I’ve spent a day at the park with three other moms talking about how great our kiddos are. My daughter was only nine months old when the pandemic hit, so I have almost no friends with differently abled kids. These ladies have been my education over the last year and I have learned so much. I’m so thankful this podcast exists ❤️

These ladies are the best! I always step out of my car feeling encouraged and empowered as a mamma of a child with Down Syndrome. They cover so many topics that are relevant to building up and including our loved ones with Down Syndrome.

Love the work you’re doing spreading awareness and acceptance. As a new DS parent it’s great to hear real, relatable conversation.

I tune in every week and it’s like a nice chat with friends. There is a wide range of topics that help me to support my son with Down Syndrome and stay up to date with what is going on with the Down Syndrome community.

I just found this podcast and I’m not sure how I have been without it! As a parent to a pre-teen boy with Down syndrome, this is exactly what I need in my life!

As a new mom to #theluckyfew I’ve already been blessed by the wisdom these women bring to our community. They discuss a wide variety of topics and they have helped me to begun thinking about the questions that I will come to address at some point in my child’s life, which I appreciate.

I love listening to this podcast each and every week! The hosts are authentic, honest and don’t sugarcoat. But I also feel motivated and excited for my journey with my daughter with Down Syndrome listening to all of their stories!

This podcast has opened my eyes to so many important resources and concepts! I love the personal stories and the helpful tips. I always feel encouraged and informed after listening to The Lucky Few!!!

I am thankful for the real and honest conversations on this podcast. It helps me to feel like I am not alone in raising a son with Down syndrome. I really appreciated the episode on Down syndrome adoption and helped to solidify that God was indeed calling us to purse this.

As a new member of The Lucky Few community (and in a worldwide pandemic, no less) I have felt connected to other moms who have gone before me while binging this podcast. These three ladies are witty, real and make you feel like you’re one of their friends sitting on the couch and joining in on conversation. I have been so fortunate to have learned a LOT while listening and feel like we’re really members of this amazing community.

As a young person who wants to make a career out of inclusion and making space for people with all abilities, I adore this podcast. It is so informative and truly helps me to better understand this community and how special it is.

This podcast makes me be proud to be a part of the lucky few! Raising a child with Down syndrome is awesome, but can be challenging. This podcast makes me feel not so alone on some things that are unique to parenting a child with Down syndrome. Love listening every week. Thank you ladies for being shouters of worth! You are appreciated more than you will ever know!❤️

One of the first books I discovered after our prenatal diagnosis was The Lucky Few! That led me to IG then to this podcast! I just love everything about it. Heather and the crew are so encouraging, but also so real! I would recommend this to any and all!!

As a mom to a young daughter who has down syndrome, this podcast feels like home. Being newish to the special needs community, it’s easy to feel isolated. I love listening and knowing that I’m not alone in this journey and that our journey is beautiful! Thank you ladies!

I look forward to each episode of this podcast. As a mom of a child with DS, it’s so helpful to hear from other moms who understand the highs and lows of the journey. I also love the mission of shouting the worth of every person!

My family is new to Down syndrome and I look forward to this podcast coming out each week because I always learn something new. Thank you for leading the charge in shifting the narrative and inspiring me to do the same!