Posts tagged Advocacy
Episode 17 - Self Advocate Megan DeJarnett
Episode 17 - Self Advocate Megan DeJarnett

Today we are joined by our friend, Megan DeJarnett. Megan is the founder of No Such Thing, a company with a mission to help others redefine purpose by removing defining labels. As an author, she is currently producing a series of children’s books including No Such Thing as Normal.

Megan was diagnosed at the age of 2 with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). With a tremendous faith in God and the love and support of her family, Megan lives life determined to experience life to the fullest and choose joy over despair.

In addition to being an author, Megan is a speaker, a wife, a mother and was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee.

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Self AdvocateMichelle SullivanAdvocacy, inclusion Comment
Episode 16 - Living and Learning While Raising a Person with Down Syndrome with Liz Plachta and Kelle Hampton
Episode 16 - Living and Learning While Raising a Person with Down Syndrome with Liz Plachta and Kelle Hampton

On today’s show Liz Plachta, founder of Ruby’s Rainbow, interviews Kelle Hampton, author of New York Time bestseller Bloom: Finding Beauty In the Unexpected and fellow Vice President of Ruby’s Rainbow. They share the touching stories of their experiences on the road together, the transition from surviving as a parent to a child with a disability to advocating in their everyday lives, and they discuss profound simple realities of the small steps they took toward making a difference in their lives, that then effected others in positive and beautiful ways.

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Michelle SullivanAdvocacy, inclusion, Down SyndromeComment
Episode 15 - The Need for Grief and Self Care with Tameka Diaz
Episode 15 - The Need for Grief and Self Care with Tameka Diaz

Our friend Tameka Diaz spends some time with us on the show sharing about her experiences with grief and how important it is to develop a self regiment. She goes into detail about a never before shared experience in her own life that stopped her in her tracks before things could have gone terribly wrong. Tameka’s conversation is filled with grace and space for those who've hit rock bottom and need that empathy to cry, scream, and shout out the hurt. And, there’s hope on the other side.

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Michelle SullivanAdvocacy, inclusion, SLP, Therapy, Occupational Therapy, OkanaganComment
Episode 14 - Naturalistic and Relational SLP Therapy with Sarah Dhooge
Episode 14 - Naturalistic and Relational SLP Therapy with Sarah Dhooge

Today on the show, Sarah Dhooge shares with us about her experience as an SLP and her unique approach to her clients, industry in B.C., and how it effects her day to day life with her 3 boys. Sarah is a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in naturalistic developmental interventions to help support the communication development of children with speech and language delays. Currently living in the Okanagan Valley with her Craft Beer enthusiast husband, Sarah is a mother to three boys and a retired-therapy dog named Bear.

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Michelle SullivanAdvocacy, inclusion, SLP, Therapy, Occupational Therapy, OkanaganComment
Episode 13 - Beyond Kindness and Inclusive Storytelling with Amy Webb
Episode 13 - Beyond Kindness and Inclusive Storytelling with Amy Webb

Amy Webb joins the podcast today and spends some time sharing her journey toward speaking up for inclusion for her daughter "Lamp" (Not her real name) who was born with a condition called microgastria and limb reduction complex. In addition, we revisit some blog content she previously wrote as a way to look at what's changed in her life and how we can observe that as a mirror to see our own prejudice and we talk about the practice of anti-ableism by looking at the work accomplished in advocating against racism.

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Michelle SullivanAdvocacy, inclusion, books, ableismComment
S01 Episode 11 - Season Finale with Ileana Sosa and Performance by Kendall Renee
S01 Episode 11 - Season Finale with Ileana Sosa and Performance by Kendall Renee

Hey everyone! Thank you for joining us for our Season Finale LIVE Show with Ileana Sosa and Kendall Renee. We had such an amazing time together at Bella Blooms, sharing our journeys together and meeting many of you face to face.

This has been such an incredible first season, and as I mentioned early on in this journey I really wound not have ever imagined doing a podcast, but felt so deeply called to share my story and journey with you all. It has been so encouraging to see you support the show and own your advocacy.

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Michelle SullivanAdvocacyComment
S01 Episode 5 - Diagnosis with Jen Jacob of DSDN
S01 Episode 5 - Diagnosis with Jen Jacob of DSDN

Jen graciously shared her diagnosis story with us today. You know when the doctor looks at your different? Or when they say the words “these are difficult ultrasounds to go over.”? You immediately go into that outer-body experience. When your child gets a diagnosis it totally changes your life, as Jen told us. Jen’s nonprofit, Down Syndrome Diagnoses Network, launched in 2014.

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Michelle SullivanDown Syndrome, Advocacy, IEP, education, schoolComment
S01 Episode 4 - Inclusive Playgrounds with Rebecca Kuntz
S01 Episode 4 - Inclusive Playgrounds with Rebecca Kuntz

Welcome friends. On today’s episode of Advocate like a Mother Podcast, Michelle and I get together to chat with Rebecca Kuntz. Rebecca has a daughter named Ellie who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and microcephaly. Rebecca has successfully advocated for a completely inclusive playground for her daughter in her neighborhood. Join us on this episode to hear all about how she made this happen and what you can do to accomplish the same!

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Andy LaraDown Syndrome, Advocacy, IEP, education, schoolComment
S01 Episode 3 - Preparing for your IEP with Child Advocate Sandi Ames | Pt. 2
S01 Episode 3 - Preparing for your IEP with Child Advocate Sandi Ames | Pt. 2

On this second part of this episode we discussed the actual meeting itself. Sandi is working hard on giving the educators the resources that they need. Going into the IEP meeting make sure you know this is not a us vs. them, We need to all work together. You should review the assessment, and the proposed goals, make sure you have a vision for your child. Come prepared with your talking points. Keep in mind we want to build a strong relationship and help build this foundation for our kids. Be proactive not reactive.

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Andy LaraDown Syndrome, Advocacy, IEP, education, schoolComment
S01 Episode 1 - American Sign Language with Rachel Coleman of Signing Time
S01 Episode 1 - American Sign Language with Rachel Coleman of Signing Time

Welcome friends, On today’s episode of Advocate like a Mother Podcast, Michelle and I got together to chat with the Rachel Coleman. 

Rachel is an American producer and actress who is known for creating with her sister Emilie de Azevedo Brown, they created together the Signing Time! It’s a video series to teach children basic American Sign Language (ASL), which was broadcasted on public television and Nick Junior.

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Andy LaraDown Syndrome, AdvocacyComment
S01 Episode 0 - Welcome to the Advocate Like a Mother™ Podcast
S01 Episode 0 - Welcome to the Advocate Like a Mother™ Podcast

Welcome to the Advocate Like a Mother Podcast! The official launch of Season 1 kicks off this fall and today Michelle and Ashley spend some time sharing about their journey and what this show is all about!

In the meantime, sign up for our email list at www.advocatelikeamother.org to get notified when the show launches!

Also, please subscribe on iTunes or Google Play and leave us a review!

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Andy LaraDown Syndrome, Advocacy Comments