Join Betsy Boone, a passionate advocate for families with special needs and co-founder of the KennedyStrong Foundation. You’ll hear her share her views on inclusion and raising a child with special needs. 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. Tune in to hear how Betsy and the KennedyStrong Foundation are working tirelessly to create a world where inclusion is the standard, not the exception.
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Join Betsy Boone, a passionate advocate for families with special needs and co-founder of the KennedyStrong Foundation. You’ll hear her share her views on inclusion and raising a child with special needs. 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. Tune in to hear how Betsy and the KennedyStrong Foundation are working tirelessly to create a world where inclusion is the standard, not the exception.
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
Building the Village
Join Betsy Boone, a passionate advocate for families with special needs and co-founder of the KennedyStrong Foundation. You’ll hear her share her views on inclusion and raising a child with special needs. 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. Tune in to hear how Betsy and the KennedyStrong Foundation are working tirelessly to create a world where inclusion is the standard, not the exception.
