If We Knew Then - Down Syndrome Podcast

80. Bertie’s Heart Surgery: Talking About The Scary Stuff with Melissa Kynoch

This week we are grateful to have Melissa Kynoch back with us to tell the story of her son, Bertie’s, heart surgery. It is a very scary experience that about half of all family’s in the Down syndrome community experience. We thank Melissa for opening up to us about the emotions she felt and for sharing all the things she wished she knew then.
12 Step Fellowship: https://www.na.org 
Wouldn’t Change A Thing - https://www.wouldntchangeathing.org 
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/11/25/80-berties-heart-surgery-talking-about-the-scary-stuff-with-melissa-kynoch/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

79. Reaching Our Advocation Milestones As Parents - with Julie Picot

In this episode we revisit Julie Picot and talk about what the past year has held for her family and their journey. We discuss the milestones reached on her advocacy path with her daughter Elyse and what she wish she would have known earlier. 
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/11/18/reaching-our-advocation-milestones-as-parents-with-julie-picot/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

78. A Son’s Advocacy: Another Conversation with Sader Issa

In this conversation we sit down with Sader Issa to get an update from the past year after graduating from Dentistry school and what his future holds. Being a man raised by a father with Down syndrome, we also discuss the rewards of advocacy and the awareness and change it creates vs. the negativity that can exist when his story is exposed to the many opinions of social media.
Preemptive Love: https://preemptivelove.org
L’Archie International: http://www.larche.org
Our First Episode with Sader: https://ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/23-raised-by-a-father-with-down-syndrome-our-interview-with-sadar-issa/
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/11/11/78-a-sons-advocacy-another-conversation-with-sader-issa/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

77. Practicing Gratitude Without Expectations: An Interview with Karen Maezen Miller

November is known as the month of gratitude and there is no one better to talk to about gratitude then our good friend Karen Maezen Miller. Maezen is a Zen Buddhist Priest who consistently gifts us wonderful words of wisdom. Today we discuss the practice of gratitude and how releasing expectations brings us closer to true thankfulness.
Maezen’s website: https://karenmaezenmiller.com
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/11/04/77-practicing-gratitude-without-expectation-an-interview-with-karen-maezen-miller/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

76. Catching Up with Melissa Kynoch: A Year and a Half Later

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and to end the month we revisited with Melissa Kynoch. Melissa is a past guest who may be best known for her appearance on the BBC Documentary Series ‘Life and Birth’. We discussed her experiences of the past 18 months and what changes she would like to see in society regarding the perceptions of people with Down syndrome.
BBC 'Life and Birth: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000j6v0/life-and-birth-series-1-episode-4 
12 Step Fellowship: https://www.na.org 
Wouldn’t Change A Thing - https://www.wouldntchangeathing.org 
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/10/28/76-catching-up-with-melissa-kynoch-a-year-and-a-half-later/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

75. A Loving Kindness Meditation Gift from Paul Denniston

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. We’ve talked about self-care on this podcast and the importance for parents and caregivers to find the time to take care of themselves. We are so grateful that Paul Denniston has once again gifted us, and our listeners, with a guided meditation. This time Paul will guide us through a wonderful Loving Kindness Meditation to help us with the many struggles we can face when we so often put others before ourselves.
Paul’s Website: https://griefyoga.com
Episode 22 - Paul’s 30 Minute Yoga Nidra Meditation: https://ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/22-a-meditation-gift-from-paul-denniston/
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/10/14/75-a-loving-kindness-meditation-gift-from-paul-denniston/2/ 
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

74. Creating An Inclusive Superhero Universe: A Conversation with Jack and Caitie Clonan

Cousins, Jack and Caitie, join us to reveal their concept of a Superhero Cinematic Universe where everyone has the courage to unapologetically be themselves. We discuss how their characters will celebrate the hero within and also the importance of inclusion for mental health. Caitie’s brother, Luke, stars as ‘Ultra Luke’ and we talk about their relationship and how she hopes to change the future by changing the perception of people with Down syndrome.
Jack and Caitie’s Website: https://linktr.ee/infiniteultras
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/10/07/74-creating-an-inclusive-super-hero-universe-with-jack-and-caitie-clonan/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

73. Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Acknowledging Those Who Came Before Us

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and in this episode we discuss the true meaning of awareness and advocacy. Many self advocates have blazed a trail for the new generation in our community and we name a few of them so that we know who to look up to when we need encouragement.
Frank Stevens’ speech to Congress (YouTube): https://youtu.be/vtS91Jd5mac
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/30/73-down-syndrome-awareness-month-acknowledging-those-who-came-before-us/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

72. Gifts of the Journey: A Sibling Conversation with Amy Hyde

In this final episode of our three-part sibling series, we sit down with Sophia and Jake Pratt’s sister, Amy Hyde, to discuss some of the gifts of having a sibling with Down syndrome. We also explore topics including advocacy, emotions and the R-word.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/22/72-gifts-of-the-journey-a-sibling-conversation-with-amy-hyde/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

71. Fasten Your Seatbelts: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters

In this second installment of our three-part siblings series, we visit with Dr. Brian Skotko and Sue Levine to talk about the book they wrote entitled, ‘Fasten Your Seatbelt: A Crash Course on Down Syndrome for Brothers and Sisters’. This is the first book written exclusively for teens with a brother or sister with Down syndrome and tackles a broad range of their most common issues and concerns.
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Fasten-Your-Seatbelt-Syndrome-Brothers/dp/1890627860 
Workshop for siblings:  https://siblingslearnaboutdownsyndrome.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/downsyndromesibbook
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/16/fasten-your-seatbelts-a-crash-course-on-down-syndrome-for-brothers-and-sisters/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

70. Insights of a Teenage Sibling: with Sophia Saux

In this first installment of a three part sibling series, we sit down with our 14 year old daughter, Sophia, to talk about her experiences as a sibling of a brother with Down syndrome.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/09/insights-of-a-teenage-sibling-with-sophia-saux/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.

69. Uncertainties About the Return to School? You’re Not Alone.

As we return to school to find a new unknown, we may find ourselves facing familiar challenges and feelings.  In this episode we discuss the importance of a support system that reminds us we are never alone.
Episode Transcript: https://ifweknewthen701833686.wordpress.com/2021/09/02/69-uncertainties-about-the-return-to-school-youre-not-alone/2/
Please follow us on Twitter @ifweknewthenPOD you can drop us a line on our Facebook page @ifweknewthenPOD or visit our website https://www.IfWeKnewThen.com to send us an email with questions and comments. You can join our mailing list there and get alerts of future podcast episodes. Thank you again and we look forward to you joining us on the next episode of IF WE KNEW THEN.