From Diagnosis to Advocacy : Raising A Child With Down Syndrome with Rachel Vermeulen

Welcome back to The In-Between Podcast! Today, I sit down with Rachel Vermeulen, a longtime friend, to discuss her powerful journey of overcoming personal and family challenges, including the diagnosis of her son Caleb with Down syndrome. Rachel shares insights on grief, resilience, and advocacy as a young mom. We explore the lack of accessibility for disabled individuals, Rachel's personal growth, and the impactful mission of her ministry, 'A Little Extra Love.' This episode offers valuable advice for supporting families with disabilities, the importance of inclusion, and becoming an advocate for the disabled community.   What You'll Hear: Rachel's Background and Family Caleb's Diagnosis Journey Navigating Pregnancy and Diagnosis Caleb's Early Years and Health Challenges Advocacy and Systemic Challenges Growing Up in Vegas and Raising Caleb Challenges of Public Spaces and Inclusion Teaching Kids to Interact with Disabled Peers Books and Simple Steps for Inclusion Experiences in Inclusive and Segregated Schools Impact of Segregation on Disabled Adults Navigating Trauma and Building Resilience Creating a Ministry for Families with Disabled Children Making Churches Accessible and Inclusive How to Connect and Get Involved     Connect with Rachel: @website | @rachvermeulen | @alittleextralove   Let's Connect: @inbetweenconvos | @kassidy.owen