326. What We Wish We’d Known About Loneliness in honor of World Down Syndrome Day (3/21)

In this episode, we continue our What I Wish I’d Known series in honor of World Down Syndrome Day (3/21) and this year’s theme: Together Against Loneliness.When we first became parents of children with Down syndrome, no one talked to us about loneliness.Not the loneliness that can come in high school.Not when siblings leave.Not when friends start driving.Not when graduation comes — and the path forward feels unclear.Not when your child is included, but still isolated.We talk about the loneliness our kids experience — and the loneliness we feel as parents. We unpack the difference between inclusion and belonging, and why belonging is what truly combats loneliness.World Down Syndrome Day isn’t just about celebration.It’s about awareness.It’s about connection.Wear the socks.Have the conversations.Extend the invitation.Let’s be together against loneliness.Show Notes🌍 World Down Syndrome DayOfficial site (theme, resources, global events):https://www.worlddownsyndromeday.org/College scholarships for students with Down syndrome:https://www.rubysrainbow.org/Creators of the annual World Down Syndrome Day campaign videos:https://www.coordown.it/This year’s campaign video (featuring Noah, focused on ending use of the R-word):https://www.youtube.com/@CoorDownTheir classic video “Dear Future Mom”:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-q4OnBtNUFree programming and community for individuals with Down syndrome:https://gigisplayhouse.org/🎓 Ruby’s Rainbow🇮🇹 CoorDown (Italy)💙 GiGi’s Playhouse🎉 Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day With UsWe’ve been celebrating World Down Syndrome Day since the very beginning of this podcast. Revisit past conversations here:Episode 1 – World Down Syndrome Day 2018https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/1Episode 53 – World Down Syndrome Day 2019https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/53Episode 104 – World Down Syndrome Day 2020https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/104Episode 156 – World Down Syndrome Day 2021https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/156Episode 207 – World Down Syndrome Day 2022https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/207Episode 259 – World Down Syndrome Day 2023https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/259Episode 310 – World Down Syndrome Day 2024https://www.theluckyfewpodcast.com/episodes/310CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST⁠WEBSITE⁠⁠INSTAGRAM⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠CONNECT WITH HEATHER AVISWEBSITE: ⁠THE LUCKY FEW OFFICIAL⁠IG: ⁠THELUCKYFEWOFFICAL⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠⁠I LIKE YOU SO MUCH⁠⁠THIS IS DOWN SYNDROME⁠CONNECT WITH MERCEDES LARAIG: ⁠HOORAY4THELARAS⁠IG: ⁠HUMANLY.TV⁠⁠FACEBOOK⁠CONNECT WITH MICHA BOYETT⁠MICHABOYETT.COM⁠IG: ⁠ACEFACEISMYFRIEND⁠IG: ⁠MICHABOYETT⁠LISTEN TO ⁠THE SLOW WAY⁠DISCOUNT CODEFriends, grab your narrative shifting gear over on ⁠The Lucky Few Merch Shop⁠ and use code PODCAST for 10% off!HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVEInterested in partnering with The Lucky Few Podcast as a sponsor? Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ for more information!LET’S CHATEmail ⁠[email protected]⁠ with your questions and Good News or Shout Outs for future episodes.