When Independence Gets Real (and a Little Scary)... In this story time episode, Lisa shares a milestone moment in her daughter Avery’s journey toward independence: a trip to the mall with friends—no parents, no hovering, no safety net. What started as a proud (and slightly nerve-wracking) step into teenage freedom turned into a rollercoaster of emotions involving a shopping mishap, a heart-to-heart, and a terrifying twist that hit too close to home. Tune in for laughs, life lessons, and a reminder that letting go, even just a little, is one of the bravest things we can do as parents.
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Avery and I got to chat with Diane Dupuy, founder of Famous People Players—the magical black light theatre where dreams take centre stage and everyone shines. We got to know Diane on a personal level and learned how she found the courage to be fully herself in a world that doesn’t always make space for people who see things differently.
She also shared the origin story of Famous People Players, how it all started and what challenges the theatre is facing today. If you haven’t been to a Dine & Dream show yet, you need to go.
And in true “seasoned pro” fashion, I might have forgotten to hit record the last few minutes of our Zoom interview (oops). But don’t worry! Avery and I stepped in with a dramatic reenactment so convincing, we’re expecting a job offer from Diane any day now. :)
To learn about Famous People Players ("Where special happens!"), order tickets, and to donate visit: famouspeopleplayers.com
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Ever feel like there’s a quiet divide in the disability community, where some parents compare challenges or judge what they don’t fully understand? Yeah, me too. In this episode, I’m talking honestly about how that kind of thinking only hurts all of us. Whether your child has physical, intellectual, medical, or invisible disabilities, we’re all navigating hard stuff. Let’s stop measuring who has it “worse” and start lifting each other up. Some argue that we're not in same boat (due to our different challenges) but I say we ARE! Same boat, but just different cabins. So let's cruise baby!
And be sure to listen for Avery's "Sunny Spot" moment this week. It's a good one!
* Facebook Page mentioned in this episode: It's A Mary Little Life
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
In this feisty solo episode, Lisa’s airing out a few lingering thoughts, tying up loose ends from past episodes, and sharing a couple of fresh experiences that sparked some big feelings. Tune in to hear why she's a little extra spicy—and what she's doing about it. Stick around to the end for the debut of a brand-new feature from Avery that will warm your heart. (Bonus: she sings the intro in the sweetest voice.)
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Links Mentioned In This Episode:
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Avery says I’m over-protective and, honestly? She’s not wrong. Letting go, even just a little, can feel terrifying when you're raising a child with disabilities. But here's the truth: our kids need space to grow, and we need to grow too. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the big, scary, beautiful journey toward independence (for them and for us) and the little changes we’re making to get there.
Mentioned in this episode: 87. This Is Why My Mom Is The Way She Is
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Avery just wrapped up an 8-week program all about relationships, dating, and gulp, sex! She’s sharing what she learned, and let’s just say… mom has realized there are a few missing pieces that might need filling in eventually (but when is the right time and how much do I explain?!). Tune in for an honest chat about navigating relationships as a disabled teen, because love is complicated, no matter who you are.
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
If you think students with developmental or intellectual disabilities can't go to college, think again. :) Join us as Avery interviews her friend "Nicole" (not her real name, but a great drinking game for those who imbibe—you'll see what I mean when you hear the episode). The interview starts at the 20 minute mark if you'd like to skip past me rambling about my hopes and fears about Avery going off to college.
More Info About "Inclusive Education College Programs"
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
How do you explain religion, spirituality, and big life questions to your person with intellectual disabilities—especially when your own beliefs don’t fit into a neat little box? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this episode, inspired by a simple but loaded text from Avery: “Are we Christian?” We chat about what religion means, why people believe, and how our family embraces spirituality over organized faith. And the best part? Avery shares her own understanding of religion in a way that’s both sweet and insightful. Tune in for an open, thoughtful, and maybe even a little funny conversation about belief, belonging, and being good humans.
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
If your child is 18+ they can and should vote! This episode is about how we can support people with intellectual disabilities through the voting process. Plus, a good ol' rant about our current bizarro political landscape.
Links mentioned in this episode
-Elections Canada Voter Registration
-Elections Ontario Voter Registration
-The Ontario Register of Future Voters is designed for eligible 16- and 17-year-olds so that they will automatically be added to the Register when they turn 18. Register Here
-How to get an Ontario Photo Card
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
This is something new... something we've wanted to try for a while and we finally did it! Avery recorded most of this episode entirely on her own! Take THAT speech delay. Avery answered five questions about life, in her own words. She kept her answers brief (unlike her blabby co-host) and the results were short and sweet. We'll definitely do this again soon. This young lady has a lot to say.
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
This episode is from over two years ago. I'm resharing now because I'm still in the same place, struggling with the same dilemma. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the magic of the holidays and all the merry traditions. But, I'm not a huge fan of the "festive fibs" families and caregivers tell in order to keep the story of Santa and the other holiday characters alive. It just doesn't sit well with me. But neither does spoiling it and robbing my adult child, who has an intellectual disability, from the joy she experiences during the holidays. I'd love to hear about YOUR experience with all of this. Help a jolly mama out. What are your thoughts?
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
We have a very special guest joining us on World Diabetes Day. My BFF (who I definitely didn’t have to bully or strong-arm into this) joins us to share her family’s journey through her daughter’s Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis—in the middle of the chaos of Covid, no less! Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience and maybe a couple of laughs at how life sometimes throws everything at you all at once.
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This podcast was recorded in Garage Band and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Since it's Halloween, I thought I'd tackle one of the scariest monsters out there—the future. As a mom of a child with disabilities, the unknowns can be downright haunting. So, I wrote a little ghost story inspired by my life as a disability parent—a tale full of bone-chilling doctor's appointments, eerie government forms, and the endless maze of support services.
I’ll warn you now: this episode has it all. My over dramatic reading voice? Check. Some awkward sound effects? Yep. A cringe attempt at a witch's cackle? You bet!. But hey, it’s Halloween so I thought, what the hell(fire)? So grab your pumpkin spice latte, find a cozy spot, and join me… if you dare!
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Happy "World Menopause Day!" Wait, is it happy? Or is it more sweaty? Either way, this episode is a little TMI about my own experience with perimenopause and menopause. And, how it affects me, as a parent of a kiddo with disabilities. Sorry in advance for my weird reading voice. Clearly I won't be hired as a narrator at Audible any time soon.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Join us on the aVery Bright Life podcast as we explore the love/hate relationship parents have with technology, especially when raising kids with developmental disabilities.
This episode is about the challenges of dopamine addiction linked to screen time, and a personal experience with Avery.
Whether you're navigating the tech in daily life or seeking a healthier balance in your family's tech use, tune in for some practical strategies for creating tech-free zones, reducing screen time, and swapping out fast-paced content for more mindful media.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
In this episode, I’m catching you up on Avery’s summer camp experience, a sleep study that uncovered some unexpected news, and the frustration of having her surgery canceled last minute due to a nursing shortage. I’m sharing what we’ve been navigating as a family and how we’re finding ways to keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
In a nutshell this episode is about how brave Avery's parents are for dropping her off at camp. LOL! It's also about Avery's upcoming surgery. And... a bit of a Debbie Downer moment about what I'm worried about and obsessively researching at the moment. I thought I'd share it with you in case you'd like to join me in worrying about this thing that currently, we have no control over, BUT if we put our heads together, maybe we can come up with a plan?
Also, get a load of who did the intro and joke in this episode in Avery's absence!
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
This camper is headed off to summer camp... sleep away camp! Ohmygod I'm nervous. This is a first for us. But it's going to be great. We've got this. We've done the research and chatted with our friend, Mabels Labels, Julie Cole. Julie shared her expert packing tips and some valuable "camp for newbie parents" insights.
Grab your flashlight and some bug spray and let's do this!
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Mentioned in this episode:
Julie Cole’s Ultimate Guide to Camp-eBook
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
Content Warning: I share some unpleasant/hateful comments left on our Instagram page.
This is not what we had planned for our 100th episode. In fact, I had a really creative and "inspiring" episode planned. But for the reasons mentioned in this episode, it didn't happen. So here we are. Please enjoy this episode where we share a few things learned throughout the course of 100 episodes. And I try to stay on topic. Maybe I'll finally master that by our 200th episode. :)
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
For Rare Chromosome & Gene Disorder Awareness Day I put on my scientist hat (I'm not a scientist... I barely passed high school chemistry class!) and share... in VERY basic terms... what we've learned about chromosomes and genes and how it all relates to rare genetic disorders like Avery's.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over! It's fun there.
Instagram: @LisaThornbury
Facebook: aVERY Bright life (formerly Forever In Mom Genes)
