What better way to kick off the new year than with this extraordinary self-advocate? She’s the first person with Down syndrome to swim across the English Channel, she’s spoken to crowds across the nation, she’s started a non-profit foundation, she’s earned an honorary doctorate degree, she’s been a hard working employee for several years and she hasn’t let this pandemic stop her. She’s Karen Gaffney. And today she’s telling us all about her motto: “Down syndrome is a life meant to be lived.”
From open water swims nearly 9 miles long (sometimes with no wetsuit!), to academic and employment success, and all the public speaking engagements in between, Karen is shifting the narrative in big ways. We are SO thankful she’s here with us to chat about a lifetime of self-advocacy, her non-profit foundation, and all the daily routines (including 2 mile swims before work) that keep her going! Plus, Karen’s mom jumps on the interview to share her perspective as Karen’s mother. You don’t want to miss this one, friends!
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SHOW NOTES
Check out the Karen Gaffney Foundation website and Facebook page!
Watch Karen’s TedX Talk: I have one more chromosome than you. So what?
LET’S CHAT
Email hello@theluckyfewpodcast.com with your questions and Good News for future episodes.
HELP US SHIFT THE NARRATIVE
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EPISODE PARTNER: Oxygen Fitness Coaching
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--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/theluckyfewpod/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/theluckyfewpod/support209. End of School Year Reflections
208. Growing Through Uncomfortable Conversations (w/Ashley - TLFP Producer & Self-Advocate)
207. ‘Peter Pan & Wendy’ Star: Noah Matthews Matofsky
206. Nurturing Meaningful Connections With Our Kids
205. Healthcare Equity in the Down Syndrome Community w/Dr. Spinazzi & Dr. Skotko
204. Self-Advocates On Capitol Hill w/Kayla McKeon, Matthew Schwab, & Charlotte Woodward
203. Beyond Checking A Box
THROWBACK: Politics & Down Syndrome w/Kayla McKeon and Ashley Helsing
202. Living In Technicolor & Listening To Your Heart w/Jennifer Varanini Sanchez
THROWBACK: Following the Lead of Self-Advocates (ft. Matthew Schwab)
201. Sofia Sanchez: Filming ‘The Hunger Games’, Her New Book, Self-Advocacy, & Middle School
200. It's our 5 year anniversary!
199. What We Wish We Knew, Had, & Told Ourselves In The First Years…
198. The Best We Can: An Unscripted Conversation on Inclusion In Our Schools
197. Exposing The Roots (Racism, Ableism, Microagressions, + More)
196. Couples Q & A! (ft. our husbands)
195. Connecting with the Black Down Syndrome Association (ft. Kelli Caughman & Crystal Lotterberry)
194. Undoing Ableism & Telling True Stories with April Aguilera (writer of "For Paloma")
193. Lets catch up!
THROWBACK: What if my child with Down syndrome can't?
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