We don’t advocate because it’s easy. We advocate to help ensure that individuals with Down syndrome are valued, respected and seen for who they truly are. Keep advocating. You are doing great!

The chances are very low that ANY child will be the president or an astronaut but we keep telling them they can be whatever they want to be because it shows we believe in them. Let’s make sure to show we believe in kids with Down syndrome too!

Sader Issa was raised by his father who just happens to have Down syndrome. Sader is now a doctor. Listen to his story: ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/153-revisi...

Wishing all of you an amazing holiday season!!!

Thank you self advocates!! Standing up for yourself is not always easy but it IS always the right thing to do. This generation of people with Down syndrome will change the World. #rword #selfadvocacy #downsyndrome

Down syndrome misinformation vs. Reality

Inclusion isn’t charity. It’s community. Beth Gibson shares how Buddy Up for Life is rewiring parents, educators and ultimately society to see capability first. Listen here 👇 www.IfWeKnewThen.com

In this uplifting conversation, Beth Gibson shares how Buddy Up for Life creates community and real inclusion through sports. It’s not about lowering the bar, it’s about raising expectations and opening doors. Hit play and feel inspired: youtu.be/RqEHHkRSc-U

Beth Gibson shares how Buddy Up for Life is building teams where athletes with disabilities lead and grow. Volunteers aren’t saviors, they’re buddies. Our kids aren’t tokens, they’re athletes. Tune in for a mindset shift every parent and educator needs: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

When someone in power uses the r-word publicly, it doesn't just insult, it normalizes the message that devaluing people is acceptable. It sets a tone for the whole country that some lives are worth less. We choose respect. We choose inclusion. And we expect our leaders to do the same. IWKT

Beth Gibson founder of Buddy Up for Life joins us this week. Her program embraces what it means to live with Down syndrome and helps participants live a life that redefines expectations and breaks traditional boundaries. FULL EPISODE: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

Our statement in response to the president’s use of the word retarded in his social media post on Thanksgiving Day.

☑️ Saw Craig Thomas tonight ☑️ Got our copy of THAT’S NOT HOW IT HAPPENED signed ☑️ Socialized on a Friday night ☑️ Picture with Craig & the kids Success!

Wonderful seeing the great Dodger, Carl Erskine, come up after tonight’s World Series game in Toronto. We often think of Carl and his wife Betty’s decades of work that helped change attitudes and improve support systems for individuals with Down syndrome. 1/3

When schools treat accommodations as a gift instead of a legal right, our students pay the price. This is a call to action for educators to stop seeing accommodations as extra work and start recognizing them as the keys to inclusion & an equal education. go.goodpods.com/9VChJq

People with Down syndrome, along with their caregivers, respond to one of the big misconceptions out there: that people with Down syndrome can’t learn. Ability should never be underestimated. #DownSyndromeAwareness #InclusionMatters #DownSyndrome #inclusion #disability

Our 15-year-old son wrote this poem. As with everything he does, it is honest and true. #downsyndrome #DownSyndromeAwarenessmonth #inclusion #advocacy

Down Syndrome Awareness Month! 7-year-old Ellison and Cincinnati barber Vernon Jackson beautifully connect over a haircut. #inclusionmatters #inclusion #DownSyndromeAwareness #downsyndrome

People with Down syndrome bring unique skills, perspectives and value to the workforce. Let’s push past stereotypes and open doors to opportunity. Because true awareness means building a world where everyone belongs. 🌍💛 💙 #DownSyndromeAwareness #InclusionMatters #HireAbility

Typical kids get the grace to have accidents because “that’s how they learn.” Our children deserve that SAME grace. 💙💛 No shame. No judgment. Just learning, growing and celebrating every step of the journey. #DownSyndromeAwareness #InclusionMatters #PottyTrainingJourney

People with Down syndrome should always be referred to as people first. Avoid: "a Down syndrome child" or "Down's child" - it should be "a child with Down syndrome."

This is living and loving. #Downsyndrome #advocate #disneyland #disney

After winning the Australian Football League (AFL) championship, Geelong Cats captain Joel Selwood didn’t go straight for the cameras or the trophy. Instead, he made his way into the stands to bring Sam Moorfoot onto the field to celebrate. #downsyndrome #InclusionMatters

In September of 2017, Frank Stephens testified before U.S. Congress on the importance of Down syndrome research. #Downsyndrome #advocacy

Carl Erskine’s story is bigger than baseball. It’s about courage, compassion and inclusion. Stephen shared why Carl’s legacy means so much to our family on Brian Baumgartner’s podcast. Join us: ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/170-celebr... #downsyndrome #InclusionMatters #advocacy

This heartfelt conversation is a reminder of the power of compassionate care and our hope that every family finds a physician who sees their child for exactly who they are. Listen now - www.ifweknewthen.com #downsyndrome

Let’s support people with Down syndrome in writing their own story. #downsyndrome #advocate #inclusion

If you type the words "Down syndrome" in the search engine of this site, you will see that DS is used as a way to mock, shame and make fun of. This is reflective of a society that still struggles to see people with intellectual disabilities as equal, worthy and fully human.

Jake Pratt is an inspiring young man who has never let expectations define him. From scoring a touchdown on his HS football team, to graduating from Clemson LIFE, to working two jobs, Jake continues to show the world what true inclusion & opportunity look like. #Downsyndrome

We’re honored to share a conversation with Jeaneen Tang a speech pathologist & mother of a neurodivergent son. Her new book “Play Dumb and Sabotage” is a must read for anyone wanting to nurture early language development with practical, everyday strategies. youtu.be/4W1Pgf1zuK4?...

Every parent wants to support their child’s communication — but sometimes, we don’t know where to start. In this week’s episode, we sit down with speech-language pathologist and author Jeaneen Tang to talk about her powerful new book Play Dumb and Sabotage. #speechtherapy

When we advocate for supports in school, we aren’t asking for more. We are demanding what should already be there: access, inclusion, equity. #downsyndrome #advocate #education #disability #downsyndromeadvocate #iep #disabilitypride #inclusionmatters

Your student’s education is right. Accommodations are a right, not a favor. Listen to the podcast: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

We sat down with speech-language pathologist and author Jeaneen Tang to talk about her new book Play Dumb & Sabotage and the powerful ways parents can support their child’s speech development every day. 🎧 Listen now for strategies, compassion and encouragement: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

If you’re a parent in the disability community, you know the world doesn’t always see your child the way you do. 💙💛 This episode of “If We Knew Then” with Dr. Vaish Sarathy is about something that changes everything: Disability Pride. 🧵1/6

Dr. Vaish Sarathy joins us to talk about Disability Pride and how it empowers families, strengthens advocacy and reminds us that our kids’ worth is never up for debate. #DisabilityPride #downsyndrome #Disability #advocate

🎙️ NEW EPISODE: We reflect on our son Liam’s first week of high school and share the challenges, hopes & hard-won lessons from years of fighting for an education that believes in his potential. 💡For parents. For educators. For advocates. Listen here 👉 ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/190-advoca...

So many of us have felt the toll of fighting for our child’s education. This podcast speaks to the heart of that struggle. #EquityInEducation

1/ 🎙️ New Episode Drop! High school is here—and we’re reflecting on our journey navigating an education system that too often tried to limit our son Liam’s access to meaningful learning. This episode is about advocacy, hope & high expectations. 🧵 ifweknewthen.podbean.com/e/190-advoca...

Shake off any resistance to your advocacy. It's not your problem if a school is upset with you for upholding your child's fundamental right to an equal education. Full Episode: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

Caregivers: Your job is supporting your student, not making a schools shortcomings okay. A foundation of collaboration is imperative. Nothing less. Listen to the full episode: ifweknewthen.podbean.com

Don’t have time to listen to a full podcast episode? Interested in Down syndrome advocacy information? Check out 1-2 minute clips of our episodes here - ifweknewthen.com/clips

Give yourself the proper time to heal after an IEP. #downsyndrome

Advocacy is just showing up, and you’re doing great! #DownsyndromeAdvocate 💛💙

Today marks the anniversary of Brown v Board of Education and the beginning of disability rights in the classroom.

OUTTAKE: We are excited for our new episode, dropping tomorrow on World Down Syndrome Day!

Today we are joined by Hilda and Olivier, who are documentarians of a fantastic film “Forget Me Not”. This film tells the story of our children’s fight for an equal education and raises the question of inclusion versus segregation. LISTEN NOW: www.IfWeKnewThen.com

"if you oppose "DEI," you should have to use the full phrase instead of the letters. Be brave and say, "I oppose diversity, equity, and inclusion."

In 2025, DSDN will host their annual Rockin' Dad Retreat for fathers of children with Down Syndrome. We are joined again by Ben Hughes to give us all the details of this year’s event and also an update on his own journey. Registration info: www.dsdiagnosisnetwork.org/dad-retreat-...

Regardless of the recent DEI backlash, there are hard fought laws that state you can't discriminate against disabled people. Yet today the President blamed DEI and disabled people, without any proof, for the aviation crash in D.C. A sure sign that we can’t stop advocating.