Elementary School

Five years ago, FitKids Sports and the KennedyStrong Foundation teamed up with one goal: to make summer camp a place where every child belongs. In this episode, Coach D (Doug Deffenbaugh) sits down with five amazing coaches — Andrew Brissie, Cooper Bookhart, David Boone, Sidney Deffenbaugh, and Jordan White— from the FitKids Sports Inclusive Camp to talk about what happens when inclusion moves from intention to action. They share what they’ve learned about leadership, empathy, and teamwork as they create a space that’s safe, constructive, and full of fun for all campers — those with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). For parents of typical kids:Discover how an inclusive camp environment helps your child build confidence, compassion, and friendships that last well beyond summer. For parents of kids with disabilities:Hear what makes FitKids Sports a trusted partner with the KennedyStrong Foundation — and how coaches are trained to support and celebrate your child’s strengths while ensuring a positive camp experience. For teens and parents of high schoolers:Looking for a meaningful way to spend your summer? Learn what it’s like to coach or volunteer in a program that’s making a real difference in the lives of kids and families. Listen now to Building a Village and hear how inclusion changes lives — one camp, one coach, and one camper at a time. Get involved today! Visit KennedyStrongFoundation.org to: Register for upcoming inclusive events and camps Learn how to volunteer or apply to coach Join the movement to build a more inclusive community

Parenting through the middle school years is a wild ride—and even more so when you’re raising a child with special needs. In this open and deeply honest episode, Vickie Vila shares her family’s journey as her son Nino navigated middle school during COVID, while managing speech delays, behavior challenges, and the impact of puberty. From general ed classrooms to behavior intervention plans, Vickie gives a real-world look at what worked, what surprised her, and what she wishes she had known going in. You’ll hear about: The power of visual supports and scaffolding  How puberty + social inexperience can throw you for a loop  The importance of routines, independence, and respectful communication  The role of community inclusion, peer support, and positive school relationships  Why typical and special needs parents need each other  Whether you’re a parent of a child with disabilities, a parent of a typical child, or an educator, this conversation brings both practical advice and heartfelt wisdom. Vickie reminds us that every child benefits from strong routines, community inclusion, and confidence-building experiences—and that we're all doing our best.  “United we stand.” Tune in for real talk, shared laughs, and an invitation to grow the village—together.

In this heartwarming episode, Betsy sits down with her 10-year-old twins, Jacob and Kennedy, the original inspiration behind Independence Village. Together, they reflect on their experiences at Fit Kids Sports’ Wide World of Sports Camp, a summer program created through a partnership between KennedyStrong Foundation (KSF) and Fit Kids Sports (FKS). Four years ago, Betsy and the team set out to create a truly inclusive camp—a place where kids of all abilities could learn, play, and grow together. The camp runs Monday through Friday, 9 AM–3 PM, and features rotating outdoor sports stations led by high school athlete-coaches who model sportsmanship, encouragement, and fun. As a mom of a child with an intellectual and developmental disability, Betsy shares what it took to make the camp equally accessible to Kennedy. From hiring additional coaches to training staff on how to support kids with disabilities, the camp became a space where expectations remained high—but supports were in place to help every child succeed. You’ll hear: Jacob’s perspective as a “typical” camper and sibling with insight into inclusion Kennedy’s favorite parts of camp and how she experiences the activities How inclusion benefits all kids—physically, mentally, and socially What it really takes to create an adaptive and inclusive summer experience This conversation is full of laughs, insight, and family connection as Betsy, Jacob, and Kennedy put on their headphones, lean into the mic, and share their story.

Starting Kennedy in Elementary school means preparing Kennedy, the family, her teachers, and her classmates.

Today’s episode is personal and powerful. I’m opening up about my very first experience with case workers and developmental evaluations — a moment that became the starting point of our early intervention journey.  What is Early Intervention? Early intervention provides vital support and services for infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) with developmental delays or disabilities. These programs focus on helping children build essential skills — physical, cognitive, communication, and social-emotional — often in familiar settings like the home or local community centers.  The First Signs This was the moment it became real — the first official evidence that my daughter was on a different developmental path. Case workers came into our lives, not just to assess but to offer guidance, creating our first action plan for growth and support.  A Shift in Perspective Accepting early intervention wasn’t easy. It meant facing a reality I had been quietly grappling with. But here’s what I’m learning: different doesn’t mean good or bad — it just means different. And there’s power in embracing that truth.  When Advocacy Sparks Change I also share a pivotal confrontation in a doctor’s office over a Developmental Milestones Worksheet — and how that moment led to a system-wide change in a major hospital network. Now, families like ours are better supported from the start.  The Power of Expectations One of my biggest takeaways? Expectations shape outcomes. I choose to expect growth, learning, and joy for Kennedy. And with support, tools, and encouragement, I’ve watched her rise to meet those expectations — again and again.  Join Me If you're navigating early intervention, or just curious about what that looks like in real life, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about hope, resilience, and redefining what’s “normal.” I hope you’ll listen — and maybe even see your own journey reflected in ours.  Connect with Us:  Website: www.kennedystrong.org  Facebook: Kennedy Strong Foundation

Experience the awakening a diagnosis can have on your mind and your life.  What if you were given a diagnosis that would change the trajectory of your life and it involved your family as well? In this episode Betsy shares the memory and the emotions that come up when she hears the words Nuchal Fold and how that led to receiving confirmation of Down syndrome. You'll be reminded of the strange words Dr's use when describing something foreign and the journey that takes you on as you research and navigate what those words mean and what they'll mean to you. You'll have an opportunity to consider your own thoughts and feelings about people with disabilities and how you look at them or interact with them. You'll receive ideas on how to introduce concepts to your children and your family.  Most importantly you'll be asked to look for beauty in all the things.  We are wired for survival and many folks have their minds closed to protect themselves, however, when our minds, hearts and bodies are closed off we also prevent ourselves from feeling joy and beauty.  Enjoy the ride through those first several weeks of the pregnancy diagnosis through the diagnosis of the chromosomal condition all the way through some ways you can diagnose your own mind on acceptance.  Thank you for listening to this podcast—Please share it and get the word out! What did you hear that you connected with? Send us a comment!

Betsy is a happily married, working mother of four kids including a set of twins in which one of them, Kennedy, was born with the gift of an extra chromosome commonly referred to as Down syndrome. Her mission is to educate and empower others to raise awareness about the unique challenges parents face in finding inclusive communities that support their loved ones with special needs. She discusses the importance of fostering environments that embrace inclusion, not just in schools, but in employment opportunities and independent living.