Throwback: Episode 3 — College, Expectations, and Ruby’s Rainbow with Liz Plachta episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 24, 2026 · 35 MIN

Throwback: Episode 3 — College, Expectations, and Ruby’s Rainbow with Liz Plachta

from The Lucky Few · host The Lucky Few Podcast

This week we’re revisiting Episode 3 of The Lucky Few Podcast—originally recorded in April 2018.In one of our very first conversations, Heather, Mercedes, and Micah sit down with Liz Plachta, founder of Ruby’s Rainbow, to talk about what’s possible for individuals with Down syndrome after high school.At the time, this conversation felt hopeful. Now, it also feels proven.What started as one mom’s idea—to help one person with Down syndrome go to college—has grown into something much bigger:1,015 scholarships awarded$3,776,000 in scholarship funds26+ awareness campaigns changing the narrativeAnd that momentum hasn’t slowed. Ruby’s Rainbow is currently in the middle of its 2026 “3/21 Pledge” campaign, with a goal to raise $600,000 by World Down Syndrome Day (March 21) to fund at least 120 scholarships. As of early March 2026, they’ve already surpassed that $600,000 goal—another signal of how much belief and support continues to grow around this work.This episode captures the early heart behind that movement—and why raising expectations still mattersGive the gift of a dream. Change a life. Help someone with Down syndrome go for their college dreams! Take the 3/21 Pledge TODAY321pledge.org/CONNECT 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.

This week we’re revisiting Episode 3 of The Lucky Few Podcast—originally recorded in April 2018.In one of our very first conversations, Heather, Mercedes, and Micah sit down with Liz Plachta, founder of Ruby’s Rainbow, to talk about what’s possible for individuals with Down syndrome after high school.At the time, this conversation felt hopeful. Now, it also feels proven.What started as one mom’s idea—to help one person with Down syndrome go to college—has grown into something much bigger:1,015 scholarships awarded$3,776,000 in scholarship funds26+ awareness campaigns changing the narrativeAnd that momentum hasn’t slowed. Ruby’s Rainbow is currently in the middle of its 2026 “3/21 Pledge” campaign, with a goal to raise $600,000 by World Down Syndrome Day (March 21) to fund at least 120 scholarships. As of early March 2026, they’ve already surpassed that $600,000 goal—another signal of how much belief and support continues to grow around this work.This episode captures the early heart behind that movement—and why raising expectations still mattersGive the gift of a dream. Change a life. Help someone with Down syndrome go for their college dreams! Take the 3/21 Pledge TODAY321pledge.org/CONNECT 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.

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Throwback: Episode 3 — College, Expectations, and Ruby’s Rainbow with Liz Plachta

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This episode was published on March 24, 2026.

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This week we’re revisiting Episode 3 of The Lucky Few Podcast—originally recorded in April 2018.In one of our very first conversations, Heather, Mercedes, and Micah sit down with Liz Plachta, founder of Ruby’s Rainbow, to talk about what’s possible...

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