Shows
aVERY BRIGHT LIFE99. Chromosome Disorders, DNA, And Other Sciency StuffFor 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: @LisaThorn...2024-06-1325 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE98. Bruh LionAvery's big brother aka "Bruh" talks about growing up with a sibling who has disabilities. He also shares how he views the future as a 'lion hearted' trustee in Avery's Microboard.
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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)
Questions or Partnership Inquiries: averybrightlife@gmail.com
Have a comment...2024-05-3121 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE97. Singing The Praises of Moms and NursesIn this ode to Mother's Day and Nurse's week, I share how my mom was the original mama bear (I learned from the best) and talk about nurses and their "secret magic." I also over-share why my husband had to take a flashlight to my undercarriage. 🧐
Avery independently recorded and edited her own jokes this week and recorded a brief segment on what she loves about her mom. 😍
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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 episod...2024-05-1726 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE96. Why We Love CheerIf you have a child with developmental disabilities, you might want to check out cheerleading. This sport is active, accessible, inclusive, empowering, highly social, and a lot of fun.
In this episode we talk about our experience with cheer and Avery hops on to explain what she loves about this sport.
This episode was prerecorded and will air on the day Avery's team competes at the World Cheer Competition in Florida. Go Team Canada!!
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery)
...2024-04-2526 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE95. Mom MehI'm feeling a little "meh" lately. Not happy, not sad. Just flat. Maybe you can relate?
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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)
Questions or Partnership Inquiries: averybrightlife@gmail.com
Have a comment, question, episode suggestion or just want to say hello? We’d love to hear...2024-04-1128 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE94. The Dark Side of Dischord And Other Chat AppsI don't love talking about the dark stuff. But I feel like the more we know, the better prepared we are to protect our vulnerable kids.
*Content Warning—not for younger or sensitive listeners.
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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)
Questions or...2024-03-2824 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE93. REPOST of Happy Things Are EverywhereWe're reposting an old episode this week. Mama's got a sore throat and sounds like a toad, so Avery is helping out with the intro. Please enjoy this happy little episode from 2021.
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Hey! It's Sponge Lisa Tight Pants here. We spongey empath types tend to soak up the vibe around us so when the world is hurting, we hurt too. So, in an effort to avoid dwelling on the dark and heavy feelings, we're trying to highlight some of the bright, fluffy, happy, cute things that are all around us.
Based on the p...2024-03-1415 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE92. Everything No One Tells You About Parenting A Disabled Child: A Conversation With Kelley ColemanKelley wrote the book we've all needed! It's going to become a go-to handbook for so many parents. I wish there had been something like it when we were starting out on our disability parenting journey. I felt pretty alone and lost back then (and still feel that way from time to time, even now). This book is going to spare so many parents from that feeling.
I hope you'll have a listen to this longer than usual episode. We talk about the book, get to know more about Kelley (spoiler alert: she's awesome), and connect over...2024-02-291h 02aVERY BRIGHT LIFE91. This Trick Isn't Cheating! It's A Tool.Phone conversations and video calls, especially for folks with communication disorders and developmental disabilities, can feel awkward and frustrating. We have some strategies that have really helped us over here, so we’re sharing them here.
Plus, Avery pops in to share a bit about herself while demonstrating how to use "magic words." FYI... She recorded this segment completely independently!
Get your FREE and fully editable Chat Chart here
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).
Read more and find th...2024-02-0127 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE90. Not Judging But... Let's Have A Word About WordsWhat is my problem? Why do your word choices affect me? And why does it bug me? I think I know and it doesn’t exactly paint me in the best light. But, I’m going to tell it like it is because maybe you feel the same way as I do. Or maybe you've seen me go off about certain terms and you think, “What a total Karen McJudgey Pants.” I don’t blame you. But maybe if you hear why I react like this, it’ll make sense? Let’s talk about it and see where we all land on th...2024-01-1837 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE89. Epilepsy ImposterHave you ever felt, not fake exactly, but maybe a little extra? I've felt like this about epilepsy over the years. But I'm not an imposter, especially after what happened last week.
This episode isn't particularly "sweary" but I still put an explicit rating on it because I talk about seizures, which can be upsetting for younger listeners (and 53 year old moms).
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat...2023-12-1520 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE88. Seizure Plan, Sugar Shows, And Sharey ChristmasCreate your own Seizure Action Plan (SAP) or Medical Action Plan using our free customizable template. In this episode we also talk about our list of go-to "Carrot Shows", which are movies and tv shows that are somewhat nutritious for kids' brains, and a fairly entertaining break from their fave "Sugar Shows." We end the episode talking about why Lisa isn't a total Grinch, even though she's not giving gifts this year. Well, with the exception of THESE gifts.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).2023-11-2327 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE87. This Is Why My Mom Is The Way She Is*Trigger Warning for childhood trauma
I think everyone has traumatic events in their past that play a part in shaping who they are as adults and even how they parent. There were two specific tragedies that happened when I was young. Once you hear what they are, you might better understand why I am the way I am... spoiler alert—over-protective to the max. In this mish-mash episode I talk about that and also about some of the ways I question my parenting.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Th...2023-11-0933 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE86. Where The Heck Do We Go Now?Do I know what I'm doing? Not really. But am I trying to figure it out? Of course! Raising a child with developmental disabilities is a life full of love, but it isn't always easy. Especially when information and resources and supports are all over the place and the red tape is thick. In this shortie episode I share how none of us really know what we're doing. And THIS is why I'm on a mission to share the good stuff whenever I stumble upon it.
Mentioned in the episode:
@MomentsOfJoyPodcast Instagram reel 😢
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2023-10-2622 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE85. CTSD or cPTSD...Trauma's Trauma, MamaWe've all heard of PTSD, but have you heard of CTSD or C-PTSD? The "C" has historically stood for "Complex." Some parents have added "Chronic" to the definition.
Whether it's lingering trauma to varying degrees or persistent worry about the future, many caregivers live with an unhealthy level of anxiety. And though the stress is often warranted, it needs to be managed. Let's chat about it.
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
@Open_Future_Learning's Instagram Post
Erica's Instagram post about the FREE GreenShield Cares Women’s Mental Health Pr...2023-10-1324 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE84. Oh Rats, It's Creepy CreepsMost men are lovely. But sadly, a handful of them are dangerous. We've happened upon a few of those ones recently so I've had to explain to my daughter HOW and WHY she always needs to be cautious. I hate this for her. For all girls. But this is what we do as parents (especially as mamas of daughters with disabilities). We teach them as best we can to keep them as safe as possible. Even if it means forgoing a bike ride into the woods because there's a "creepy" man in there.
Also...2023-09-2922 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE83. Inclusion DelusionWe're baaaaaack and starting this season off with a topic that's been on my mind for a while... inclusion.
Seems like a positive topic, right? WRONG. I mean, the idea of inclusion is on the right track, but actual inclusion? It's a bit of an illusion sometimes. But it doesn't have to be that way...
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat w...2023-09-1524 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE82. We Can't Believe THIS Happened (AND... Summer Hiatus Alert)"Disability Parent Advocate Life" can feel exhausting. But then sh*t like this happens and it's all so worth it. In this episode we share the thing... the pretty incredible thing that happened as a result of this little podcast. PLUS... heads up, we've gone fishing. Not literally because we don't fish. But we've taken off for the summer to rest, relax, work (Avery has a job) and do all the summery things (minus actual fishing). See you back here with bells on, September 7th!
Mentioned In This Episode: Ep 80 Data Discrimination
****2023-07-1415 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE81. One Love, Two DucksIt’s shocking when you witness hateful people revealing themselves. And it’s gross to know that many of them are parents because… hate is learned. Kids aren’t born like that. They LEARN to hate and to discriminate by listening to and watching their parents. In this episode we tackle the topic of how intellectually and developmentally disabled people often view dating, gender labels, and "ONE LOVE". It's a lesson EVERYONE can learn from.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).
Read more and find...2023-06-2327 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE80. Data DiscriminationFor disabled teens and adults, having a cell phone goes beyond just convenience or entertainment—it can be a lifeline to independence, safety and #accessibility.
Shame on Canadian cell carriers for making cell/data plans inaccessible for so many families. There are ways to remove this financial barrier to what should be a fundamental right. Let's talk about it.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come cha...2023-06-0131 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE79. Overbearing "Momster"We don't mean to be "Momsters." Our intentions are good, but overstepping and taking over isn't doing anyone any favours. Do you recognize yourself here? Acknowledging that we "occasionally" do this, is the first step in maybe letting go of the reins a little.
Mentioned in this episode: I've Had It Podcast (so good, so relatable and so hilarious!)
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
2023-05-1920 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE78. Just Shush And Don't Be A Ham Sandwich Of A HumanThis idea for this episode came from a new comment left on an old post I wrote a decade ago. It was a story about a mom and daughter out doing their thing in the world and feeling stung by the judgement of others. Reading it years later, from a new perspective, I can see how our behaviour could be perceived as entitled or at least annoying. Comments about that I can handle. But the comment left by a stranger based in ableist bigoted hatred? That I can’t handle. So I’m calling it out because for every “Ham Sa...2023-05-0534 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE77. Thirsty MonkeyIn the words of the Bare Naked Ladies, haven't you always wanted a monkey? Be careful what you wish for though because monkeys are difficult. Especially the thirsty ones. Know what I mean? No? Have a listen to this episode and see if you might also have a thirsty caged monkey (or ten) in your basement.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury (with assistance from Avery Thornbury).
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! N...2023-04-2125 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE76. Two Year Podiversary: A Behind the Scenes Story TimeIt's our 2 year podiversary! So today we're sharing some behind the scenes insights into this podcast and podcasting in general. At the 24 minute mark Lisa attempts to explain how anyone can create their own podcast easily and for free.
Thank you for listening today and for the past two years! We're excited to embark on year three! Giddy-up. Let's do this thing!
As mentioned in this episode:
Please let us know what disability family focussed podcasts we should add to the growing list on our resource page HERE
Check out the She 2.0 Podcast HERE
2023-04-0636 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE75. Take Our Epilepsy Fact or Fiction QuizKermit claims it's not easy being green. I challenge him to try being purple for a minute. "Purple People" live with epilepsy—they either have the neurological disorder themselves, or they love somebody who does. This is our second epilepsy focussed episode, which includes a ten question quiz to test your epilepsy knowledge. Our hope is that by sharing what we're learning, we can help get people talking, thinking and caring about epilepsy. Our guest Lisa Gray joins us to share her personal connection to epilepsy and talks about her role at epilepsy.ca.
Thank you Epilepsy Canada...2023-03-2330 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE74. Dealing With Fear: Disability Parent AdditionThis episode is about FEAR. But don’t be afraid, there's hope. And answers. And possible solutions. Fear is a normal part of life, especially for parents and disability parents in particular.
I hope by sharing some of MY fears, you’ll feel seen and less alone. Because navigating this disability family life can be scary. Let’s do this together!
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🕶 On the blog... Stair Scare
🕶 Ruth Soukup: The 7 Fear Archetypes And How Figure Out Yours
🎙Huberman Lab: How To Breathe Correctly
📷 Avery's fall... Instagram Post
🕶 When Your Child...2023-03-0347 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE73. A 'Sick' Story time and... the emergency skill every kid needs to practiseCovid finally got us, but Avery did great. Phew. Who knew I'd be the one to struggle? Hi. It's me. I'm the problem, it's me. This episode is a story time about our Covid experience with a (gross) peak into where we think it got us. *Trigger warning for those with a strong gag reflex. Avery and I also demonstrate the emergency skill everyone should teach their kids. It's not pleasant to talk about, but it's important to empower all kids, typical and atypical, with the information they need to be able to handle medical emergencies and to get...2023-02-1631 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE72. Slap Those Spuds...and other (sometimes embarrassing) parenting storiesAvery joins me for the first eight minutes of this episode. For someone with a profound speech disorder, chatting for eight solid minutes in no small feat. She answers three important questions and then makes an exciting announcement. I'm so proud of this kiddo. Wait, she's no longer a kid. She's a teen heading toward 18 and young adulthood and everything that involves. And it's why we talk about the DSO application in this episode. If your child is 16 and you live in Ontario (I'm assuming other provinces have similar funding and support programs?) it's time to get the ball...2023-01-2725 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE71. My apologies...What I'm sorry for and whyThis episode is a little vulnerable so... be gentle with me. It starts with my advice on the two best places for families to find support and community for whatever they're going through. And it ends with an apology—or more accurately, an admission of guilt and an explanation for my behaviour.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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.
Ins...2023-01-1230 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE70. It's My Party And I'll Advocate If I Want ToThis episode is a few stories, strung together, from personal experience as a party mama. Some are happy. Some are sad. Some just make me mad. For parents of kids with disabilities, party invitations (or lack of) can be problematic.
I’m sharing because you might relate. Also, hearing about our experiences (though... I didn't handle some of these situations well) might help you better prepare for similar experiences, if and when they come up for you.
So as we said in the 80s…party on dudes!
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Links mentioned in this episo...2022-12-3131 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE69. New (to us) Disability Related LingoHere are a few NEW (to us) or updated words related to disability we're trying to use in place of the outdated phrases used in the past. I'm not perfect and I still make mistakes. But, I thought while I'm learning and evolving (language wise anyway) I'd share in case these are new to you too.
Rated Explicit because of a tiny f-bomb near the end... in the outtakes.
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Avery's Joke: "How much does it cost Santa to park his sleigh?" "Nothing, it's on the house."
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Links mentioned in th...2022-12-1637 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE68. Four Helpful Tools To Develop Independence For ND KidsOur goal as parents is to give our kids the skills they'll need to live as independently as possible. In this episode we share four fabulous tools that help do just that. We chat about:
Smart Watches and air tags
Disability Introduction Cards
Mydoh (this episode's awesome sponsor!)
PFOs aka "Planted Friendly Observers"
These tools make up part of our ever growing Life Skills Toolkit. We think each of them is a winner winner chicken dinner! Mmmmm chicken... (this random reference will make sense when you listed to the chicken restaurant story. I'm still laughing. And licking m...2022-12-0134 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE67. Shopping Bags: People Who Make Errands IckyThe title doesn't explain what this episode is about at all. I'm terrible at titles. This episode is about how freaking hard it is to let our disabled teens shop or run errands independently. I give examples of WHY it's problematic (and dangerous at times) and what we're doing to make it work.
Here's the Insta Reel where I follow Avery and her friends to the store so she can shop independently, but safely.
Episode 9: Abuse In The Disability Community
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.2022-11-1826 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE66. Mind Your Words: Personal Comments Are Not WelcomeFive friends join in on this episode to share some of the remarks made about them in the past that have been impossible to shake. We should never be commenting on people's bodies, appearances, mannerisms, differences or anything really.
This is also the episode where I talk about how to effectively and respectfully address our kids' questions about differences when we're out in public. And I also may burst into some Quiet Riot.
As mentioned in this episode: @ableismistrash
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
...2022-11-0333 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE65. Ten (Doable!) Ways To Clear Your Cluttered Mom MindDisability mamas and parents in general have a lot going on and we don't have a lot of extra mental space to work with. This episode is about the 10 ways I've found to help clear out some of the clutter and free up some much needed head space.
* Adult Language
Gift Hiding Hack
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No seriously, c'mon over...2022-10-2135 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE64. When To Step In And When To Step BackSometimes parents of kids with disabilities, or all parents I'm assuming, struggle with when it's appropriate to step in and went to step back. I personally really struggle with this. These are my thoughts about when stepping in is helpful for our kids and peers who might need some insight into how to interact positively with people with disabilities. And when we should step back and let our kids figure it out.
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
Sometimes I Speak For My Disabled Child And Here's Why
How To Authentically Introduce Your Atypical...2022-10-0633 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE63. Small Wins, Big Fails and Little Life Lessons LearnedReflections on some self-care attempts—exposing which went well and which crashed and burned. This episode is longer than most, but I had a lot to talk about. Not all of it is flattering, but nobody wants sunshine all the time. Some days it rains. Which helps the flowers grow, er, whatever. You know what I mean. LOL!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Self-Care for Caregivers How-To
The Insomnia Project Podcast
How to send all unwanted cell calls straight to voicemail
The End Of My Booze Cruise
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2022-09-2245 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE62. Summer Summary And... An AnnouncementWe're back from summer hiatus and we have loads to tell you! This episode begins with updates... what happened this summer (and there was a lot) and ends with our FIVE whys. WHY do we do this podcast. Like for real, what's the point? Plus, that biiiiiiiiiig announcement. The suspense, right? :)
As mentioned in this episode, here are the creators to check out:
Kathy Buckworth - Instagram / Go To Grandma Podcast
Tory Halpin - Research Based Parenting: Raising Kids With Intention and Respect - Instagram
MamaBear For Rare - Jordan’s Syndrome advocate Spreading awareness to hel...2022-09-0833 min
aVERY BRIGHT LIFE61. Summer Hiatus Alert - Burned Out and BiteyWe're taking a SUMMER BREAK! We'll be back with brand new episodes in the fall. This final episode before taking a much needed pool side popsicle break is about why we ALL need a break and how feeling burned out and bitey is something so many of us are feeling right about now.
See you back here September 1st!
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! No...2022-06-3023 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE60. Talking About Disabilities With Neurotypical KidsIs it rude to discuss somebody's disability? Maybe in some cases. But not when the discussion is intended to educate your kids about what a particular disability might involve. When people, kids especially, are rude or judgmental, it’s usually coming from a place of fear. I’ve found a great remedy for fear is to simply provide a little understanding and context. By knowing what’s up, the fear disappears and connections are more easy to make.
This episode is about how and why you might want to prep your kids before hanging out with a person...2022-06-2329 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE59. DNA, Genes and Rare Chromosomes Disorders: What Does It All Mean?I wanted to call this episode "Genes, Genes, What Do They Means?" But I'm keeping it serious. Well, serious-ish. This is a quick and dirty explanation of what DNA is, what genes do, and how chromosomes work—with a bit about how rare chromosome disorders can occur and specifically, what Avery's rare chromosome deletion and duplication syndrome looks like.
Full Disclosure. I am not a scientist. Or as I said in the episode... "science tits." LOL!
All about Genetic Testing
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
2022-06-1726 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE58. May-rry Christmas....... and, should we tell our older kids with intellectual disabilities the truth about S. Claus, the E. Bunny and the gang?? And if so, how?
This episode is about that AND how we celebrated Christmas in May 2019 when I nearly ruined future holiday magic forever.
*Content Warning: Not for kids... sensitive info.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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...2022-06-0923 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE57. Avery's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad DaySchool is Avery's happy safe place. So for her to come home the other day, distraught and scared and worried about going back, it was upsetting. This is the story of her terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
*Content Warning: Not for kids. Violence.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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: aV...2022-06-0223 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE56. A Matter Of PerspectiveIt isn’t easy to change our perspective and stay positive. It’s way easier to focus on all negative stuff. And man, there's a lot. Especially right now. This episode is about how we can actively change our perspective and reshape our reality, including the challenges we face as disability families.
Here is the link to the EXCELLENT study I talked about in this episode: Strength in Diversity: Positive Impacts of Children with Disabilities
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
Read more and find the tran...2022-05-2736 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE55. Negative NellySometimes we're all a little (or a lot) negative. Of course we are. I mean, have you looked around lately? There is some STUFF happening. There's also some stuff happening in our house right now too. Nothing we can't manage but holy man, it takes a toll. So, in this "keepin' it real" episode, I share a bit about what's going on over here in the format of a game we used to play with the kids. The game is called, "Fortunately Unfortunately." Ever played it? No? Then this is the perfect episode for you to learn how to...2022-05-2032 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE54. When Your Child With Disabilities Chokes*Content Warning: some rather traumatic content about a child (my child) choking.
This episode is about why children, kids with disabilities in particular, choke. And also, what we as caregivers can do to keep our kids as safe as possible.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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
Tw...2022-05-1328 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE53. Who Are The Glass Children?As soon as I feel like I have a handle on the terminology in the disability community, I come across something new. Like "Glass Children." I'd never heard of this until a few months ago. In this episode I share a bit about who Glass Children are and what parents and the community at large can do to help make sure that kids with disabled siblings feel SEEN and heard.
Jamie Guterman's TED Talk about growing up as a Glass Child
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
2022-05-0523 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE52. Pet Parties... just becauseEver hosted a puppy party? How about a dog wedding? Just me? I know, it's a bit out there. But isn't that what we do as parents? I feel like I've lost that creative, silly side this past few years. A pandemic will do that. So I thought I'd share the old "fun" dog wedding planner, puppy party host Lisa. Just FUR fun. Oh and in case you were wondering who let the dogs out? I did.
This episode is rated Clean for all audiences.. clean, if you don't count the dog hair on my pants.
...2022-04-2822 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE51. Exposing ExclusionPart of working toward inclusion, includes talking about exclusion—where it comes from and how it feels. Disability advocates like me talk a big talk. But, I haven't always been a shining example of inclusion. My history includes plenty of ableism.
Sharing my missteps doesn’t paint me in the most flattering light, but exposing our flaws and our subsequent growth can be one way to uncover hidden but common ableist ideas and help clear a path ahead. So buckle up, I’m going to expose myself.
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The "Bad Bubble" episode I mentioned: Ep. 15...2022-04-2123 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE50. Mishmash And A Medical UpdateA resounding welcome and happy hello to our new listeners! This episode begins with a brief intro about who we are and what this podcast is about. We then move into a medical update and some thoughts about how as parents, our identities are so tightly connected to our kid's diagnoses—whether we mean it to be or not.
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Living With The Fear of SUDEP: https://averybrightlife.com/living-with-the-fear-of-sudep
Fridge Make-Over How To Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqN50FG0cZE
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and...2022-04-1525 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE49. Viral In A Good-ish WayI thought it might be cool to go 'viral' on social media. And then we did. And now I'm not so sure it's all that it's cracked up to be. Though there's no adult language in this episode, it still has an Explicit rating because there are topics around online bullying and derogatory comments that are not meant for little ears.
In this episode mom Lisa explains how an Instagram reel that went viral elicited a broad range of comments—some thoughtful, some ignorant and some downright awful.
Avery is absent in this episode (she is f...2022-04-0834 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE48. It's Our 1 Year Podiversary!!What?! How has it been a year already? In this retrospective anniversary episode we look back over our first year of mama/daughter podcasting—highlighting some of our favourite episodes and we sharing why we started this "journey" in the first place.
Thank you SO MUCH for sticking with us this year; for commenting, sharing and for just making us feel so dang good.
Here's to another year of tech glitches, insights and eff bombs, and of course, the occasional bursting into song for no real reason.
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This podcast was recorded in Ga...2022-03-3123 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE47. Sharing Our Script: How To Respond To Unsolicited Comments and QuestionsI'm an inquisitive person. I'm also nosy. I like to know things about people. But, I'm not a jerk about it. I don't make unwelcome comments about people I don't know or ask them personal questions. So why do some people feel it's okay to cross that line when it comes to disabled children? I've been asked, "What's wrong with her?" and "Why does she talk like that?" and other equally rude questions about Avery's disabilities many times. I don't anticipate that will stop any time soon, so we've come up with a "script"—a set of rehearsed comebacks fo...2022-03-2434 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE46. Ten Easy Entertaining Activities For When You're Stuck At HomeSometimes, for whatever reason—bad weather, an illness or simply isolating due to, let's say... a virus, you might have to stay home for a bit. And when that happens, it stinks. But, we came up with a list of socially distanced and/or at home activities that can make it stink a lot less.
This episode begins with our recent brush with Covid and the resulting quarantine which lead to how we came up with this EXCITING list!!! I put exciting in all caps to hammer home how exciting these activities are... and even you don't thi...2022-03-1733 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE45. Miss IndependentLife for women can pose challenges that men might not have to deal with. And life for disabled women can include extra difficulties and dangers. This episode outlines some of those obstacles. We also share ten things we are doing now to develop skills that will help Avery live a more independent life as she gets older.
Shower Belt
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! N...2022-03-1029 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE44. All About EpilepsyIt's PURPLE month so we're devoting the first ABL episode in March to the subject of epilepsy. This episode starts with a personal update. Then we share some "fast facts" about epilepsy before diving into some listener questions. But, the sweet spot of this episode starts at 21 minutes in—where some of Avery's favourite people in the world share what epilepsy means to them. It's... 💜!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Epilepsy Canada
The ABL Resource Page (with links to epilepsy/seizure related info, resources, books about epilepsy, etc.)
SUDEP Article
...2022-03-0334 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE43. Mom In The MiddleIf you divided your parenting life into stages, they might be arranged from the beginning—diagnosis day to adulthood (and possibly independence, or the equivalent based on their abilities). I’m a mom somewhere just north of the middle of these stages. Here are a few things I've learned up to this point that might possibly be helpful.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Advice From A Disability Mom In The Middle
Kid Friendly Breathing Techniques For Stress Relief
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
2022-02-2426 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE42. Silver Linings and Golden MomentsIn this family friendly, g-rated, zero f-bomb episode, Avery's dad (who legit never swears) hops on as co-host! Adrian and Avery talk about one of the things they have both missed most during Covid and they share the daddy daughter bonding activity they do to keep hope alive and well. Um, it's so cute I could just swoon, but I'm already swooning naturally because... vertigo.
Quotes from Avery's dad after recording:
1. This is actually harder than it looks.
2. I MAY have gone around in circles a bit. I kept forgetting what I was...2022-02-1718 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE41. Helping Kids Navigate GriefToday’s topic isn’t the happiest. But, it’s a valuable conversation to have. We're talking about grief. Specifically, how to navigate grief with young children or with kids with intellectual disabilities. See? Not super fun, but necessary.
Here's the post mentioned in this episode: Strategies for Helping Kids Cope With Grief
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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.2022-02-1128 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE40. Talking To Brick Walls And Other Dense ObjectsIf you've spent any amount of time online, you've either seen or received negative or rude comments. Sadly, this is the world we live in now. But, just because people feel the need to express every opinion, good and bad, it doesn't mean we have to allow other people's "stuff" into our lives. This episode is all about how I try to respond to people in a way that is constructive and hopefully positive. It's also about what to do when you just "can't even anymore" with people's BS. :)
Rated Explicit for adult language (just a little) a...2022-02-0328 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE39. Kids Are Not ContentThat title is confusing. Content as in social media fodder, not as in happy and content. Though, if you're using your child as content for your own personal gain, they might not feel content in a few years when they discover what you've been posting about them. Just food for thought. Also, heads up seven up, I'm not perfect. Far from it. As a parent and a disability 'advocate' I mess up with the best of them.
This episode is rated Explicit for language (just a little) and because I'm talking TO PARENTS, NOT CHILDREN about the w...2022-01-2125 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE38. It's A Bulldozer! It's A Helicopter! It's An Over-Parenter!!Do you constantly do things for your kids? Not to be kind and helpful, but more because you just can't help yourself? Do you take over when they struggle with a task? Do you redo things they've already done? If you answered yes to any of these, you too might be an over-parenter. (See Also: Snowplow Parent, Lawnmower Mom). This episode is about why we over parent and why we should try to stop.
The @open_future_learning Instagram Graphic
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
R...2022-01-1415 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE37. Stuff About Us, Epiphanies and A Bucket ListWe're baaaaack! Today we share a bit about us personally so new listeners can get to know us (and what they're in for). Lisa also shares a few epiphanies she had over the holidays, as well as the contents of her f*cket list (she claims she coined this term and I believe her. LOL!)
There is a content warning for this episode for adult language because... f*cket list.
👓 On The Blog: My Bucket List...Kinda
👓 On The Blog: When Mummy Uses Salty Language
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This podcast was recorded in Garag...2022-01-0627 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE36. Hiatus Alert! (We'll be back Jan 6th!)We're taking a little break. In this very short but sweet episode we explain why. But don't worry, we'll be back with bells on (possibly Christmas bells left behind by Santa's reindeer) on January 6th! We've got a lot more to say.
Have a happy and healthy December everyone!
xo Avery and Lisa
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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...2021-12-0208 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE35. In-BetweenersSometimes I feel like I'm in the in-betweens—somewhere between the typical parents and the adult disability community. This episode is about what it's like to parent in that place. It's also about an Instagram post by @nina_tame that inspired this episode, as well as giving me a nudge to examine my thoughts and actions around privacy and access to not only my child, but also to the details about her disabilities.
You can find Nina's post on Instagram HERE.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
Re...2021-11-2528 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE34. Gatekeepers, Guilt and a Great IdeaGatekeepers are the people between us and the doctors or specialists whose help we desperately need. Guilt is something parents feel, often for no actual reason. And a great idea is something I have every other day, but do absolutely nothing about because ideas are easy. It's the execution that trips me up.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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.
2021-11-1821 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE33. Parenting "Seasons" and What's It's Like When Your Child RegressesThis week's episode was going to be something light hearted. But in an effort to keep it real, I did an abrupt about face and changed the topic completely because I’m not feeling particularly light hearted today. I’m actually feeling a little heavy hearted to be honest.
This episode is about how it feels when your intellectually disabled child regresses, cognitively. Not a particularly fun topic, but I think it's an important one.
I feel like there might be traces of toxic positivity and ableism in this episode. I hope not, but maybe? I'm wo...2021-11-1225 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE32. My Mom Is A HypocriteThe topic of this episode is vaccines. I’ve talked about this previously, in episode 19, but I thought I’d give it another 'shot' because needles are a 'very pointed' topic right now. Puns totally intended. And yes, I am a bit of a hypocrite when it comes to vaccines. I didn't even realize it until the other day. I'll share the story of the first pandemic I experienced with my children and how I handled (or mishandled) the vaccine situation then. Shockingly, not much has changed since 2009.
We end the episode with an empowering mantra and words...2021-11-0530 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE31. Pardon My Language: Is It Okay When Mom Swears? (Yes, yes it is)Content Warning: Adult language... I bleeped out the eff words to the best of my ability but this episode is not kid friendly.
Do you swear in front of your children? I do. I mean, I try not to but sh*t happens. As long as my kids know the difference between an expressive expletive and hateful language, I'm okay with it. Words are just words. It's not what we say, as much as how we say it and why.
My 18 year old son pops in to share his thoughts of his mother's salty language. :)
...2021-10-2920 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE30. Five tangible ways to help a parent who is raising a child with disabilitiesWanting to say and do the right thing, but having zero idea how to help... this is what it can feel like for friends and family on the outside looking in on our disability parenting life. It’s a tricky place to be and it's what we’re talking about today.
Have a listen to my friend Kathy Buckworth's awesome Go To Grandma Podcast HERE. In particular, may I recommend EPISODE 11? Yes, yes it IS the episode I was on. Kathy and I discussed how grandparents can play a positive and helpful role in the lives of their...2021-10-2125 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE29. TV Like Me: 10 Must Watch Shows On Netflix About Disability (from a parent's perspective)There's a lot to learn from some TV programs and movies. Documentaries for sure, but there's also insight to be gained from fictional stories. In this case, I'm talking about insight into life with disabilities. This episode is a list and brief (to the best of my blabby ability) description of 10 programs about disability that you simply must to watch.
*This episode is rated "E" because of an f-bomb (Ricky Gervais made me do it!).
Here are the 10 shows mentioned in this episode:
Atypical
Speechless
Parenthood
Justine
...2021-10-1524 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE28. On Thin Ice: Teaching Kids With Disabilities to SkateI hate being cold. And I hate bending. So trying to teach Avery to ice skate was a perfect storm. An ice storm, if you will. This episode is about how activities like swimming, riding a bike and skating are things we usually teach our kids at some point. But, for some of us achieving these skills feels impossible. And we feel guilty about that, so we keep trying. And sometimes we get frustrated and sweaty and sweary about it. But we want our kids to enjoy the same typical childhood activities as their peers.
Also, there's a...2021-10-0717 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE27. Tough Talks: Talking To Kids With Intellectual Disabilities About Troubling EventsSome topics, like the atrocities inflicted upon our indigenous people, are hard enough for most of us to comprehend. But how do you explain residential schools and the horrific treatment of children to our kids whose intellectual and developmental disabilities make experiences like these so hard to grasp?
This episode was published, today, September 30th—Orange Shirt Day and our first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation—which is a prime example of the tough talks we have with our kiddos.
These topics are definitely tough to tackle, but we can't assume people with cognitive disabi...2021-09-3018 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE26. A Story, A Rant, and Tips for Keeping Your Parenting CoolI'm not a perfect parent and I'm not always positive, but here are five perfectly positive parenting tricks that work for us. These can be applied to kids with disabilities or kids who are simply pushing their parents' buttons. Parenting is hard. We all need strategies that work. Plus, a story/rant about a mom at Walmart who had a tantrum in front of Avery and I. Avery shares her thoughts on that. Then I offer some delicious and unsolicited breakfast ideas because... tangent. LOL!
Content Warning: Language (just a tiny bit 🤷♀️)
Link to: How To Spoil Y...2021-09-2326 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE25. Tip and Tricks For Talking Really WellYou'd think talking would be easy and natural, but it's not. Speech is complex. And it certainly doesn't come easily or naturally to many kids with disabilities. My kiddo included. In this episode we share seven strategies that have proven helpful to us in our efforts to help Avery speak more fluently. There is also a list of our favourite "Avery-isms" thrown in for fun. With her permission of course.
Check out my friend Kathy Buckworth's new podcast/radio show... Go To Grandma
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Th...2021-09-1723 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE24. Don't Sneeze On My SandwichThis episode starts with an apology (from me) and ends with a high school update from Avery. And somewhere in the middle, there's a story about a snot sandwich. So, this one's a winner folks. You don't want to miss it! 🤣
Here's the link to the sweet Instagram post from @angelarepke.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
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.
I...2021-09-0923 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE23. Everyone Is Leaving MeThis is an admittedly self-indulgent and possibly dramatic episode. But, everyone I love is leaving me this week!! My husband returned to work after being home for over a year. Avery is leaving for high school. And my son is headed to university tomorrow. And I'm sad. But I'm pretending not to be. So, please enjoy my discomfort. Oh, and there's also the story about how my son upped the dramatic tension by passing out cold in his room yesterday. It's okay, he's fine. But yikes. Fainting offspring is not for the faint of heart.
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T...2021-09-0218 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE22. Stop Being So "Positive": What Is Toxic Positivity?Looking for the positive is a good thing. Until it's not. Some circumstances in life are just profoundly sad. Shaming people into trying to find the positive in tragic situations is not helpful. This episode is about toxic positivity with personal examples geared toward the disability community. It's also about how NOT to be "that" person by doing these things instead.
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited by Lisa Thornbury.
Read more and find the transcript for this episode at averybrightlife.com.
And, come chat with us on social! N...2021-08-2619 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE21. Happy Cute Things Are EverywhereHey! It's Sponge Lisa Tight Pants here. We spongey empath types tend to soak up the vibe around us so when the world is hurting, we hurt too. So, in an effort to avoid dwelling on the dark and heavy feelings, we're trying to highlight some of the bright, fluffy, happy, cute things that are all around us.
Based on the wildly popular and positive TikTok trend where people are listing the little inconsequential things that people do that make them happy, this is our list.
We'd love to hear what little human (or animal) b...2021-08-1914 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE20. Love Is Blind And... OtoplastyIf you like Grey's Anatomy, you'll love this episode. It's the perfect mixture of medicine and drama. LOL! This is our experience with otoplasty or ear correction surgery. As with so many topics around disability, this one also has an element of "why would you do that you ableist parent!?" There are some who say that parents don't have the right to make decisions about altering their child's physical appearance or to "fix" their differences. Major decisions like these require the patient's consent. I get it. I do. But alas, when Avery was five years old, she had her...2021-08-1225 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE19. Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots...I'm in the midst of a nasty bout of insomnia. So whilst I'm lying awake at night, I have pretend conversions with anti-vaxers and anti-maskers and I try to figure them out. I aim to be more empathetic than judgemental. Sometimes I succeed, and other times I scream into my pillow.
These are my thoughts. Scattered as they are.
Bottom line... I want my friends and family to be healthy and safe. And I want what we all want, for this god awful pandemic to finally be over.
Sorry for the audio. Again. I t...2021-08-0520 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE18. We Are ABL"What's the deal with the cat?" In this episode I attempt to explain the origin of the aVERY bright life cat logo and discuss what our website is about. This should've been easy, but my insomniac brain had other ideas. Also, Avery fell off her bike on recording day. She broke her fall with her face, so she wasn't able to talk, hence her absence from this episode. She's fine though. She'll be back next week. :)
Here's the link to the resource page mentioned in this episode: ABL Adaptive Resources
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T...2021-07-2919 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE17. Trust Your Gut and Doctors Don't Know EverythingJust because somebody has a medical degree or has been practicing medicine for decades, it doesn’t mean they know everything. It also doesn’t mean they understand your child. You know your child best. You instinctively know if there’s some thing off. Don’t ever dismiss that. In this episode I share a few examples of when medical professionals either didn't take our concerns about Avery seriously, or when they gave us horrible advice... that we disregarded, thankfully, and instead we trusted our gut!
Content Warning: I talk a bit about Avery’s seizures which could be u...2021-07-2230 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE16. Good Night Sleep TightI hope this episode doesn’t put you to sleep. Actually, I hope it does. Because this one's all about sleep. Or in my case, the disgusting lack of it. These are the reasons we don’t sleep, the reasons we need to sleep (sleep well and sleep enough) and strategies for making that happen.
We've been sleeping since we were babies and have had lots of practise so... why is this so hard???
When I don't sleep, I'm not a great parent or a very good human in general. I'm trying to get a hand...2021-07-1537 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE15. FriendsThis episode is about friends. Not the 1990s TV show, but actual real life friends—making them and keeping them. It can be so difficult for kids with disabilities or who are different to fit in. Especially when they're faced with the "Bad Behaviour Bubble."
Lisa shares a few examples of when Avery was ignored or teased in the playground and tells the story of a friendship that changed dramatically as Avery's former best friend enter the BBB (that's just me trying to start a trend by abbreviating the Bad Behaviour Bubble). She also reads the unexpected and...2021-07-0834 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE14. Fourteen Questions With AveryThis is our 14th episode! That's right, for 14 weeks in a row we've been talking into a microphone and hoping you're listening. And it turns out, you are! And we couldn't be more thrilled. To celebrate Avery's "Champagne Episode" (the 14th broadcast in her 14th year) we decided to make this one ALL ABOUT AVERY—a sweet subject indeed. We put a call out on Instagram, asking for listeners to send in questions for Avery. We got some great ones!
If you think answering questions on the fly, for a person with a speech and language disorder is...2021-07-0128 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE13. Don't Worry, Be HappyAnxiety, worry, stress... we're all feeling it. Especially now because... pandemic. Even the most Even Stevens and Chill Bills I know are feeling it. My husband, the chillest most zen dude I know, is feeling it. So, when he's stressed, I get all "Chicken Little" and start to catastrophize and fret until I wear myself right out.
This episode is about the anxiety we're feeling as adult humans, as parents, and in particular, parents who are caring for kiddos with complex medical and developmental needs. It's a stressful gig on a good day. Throw in a deadly...2021-06-2435 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE12. Please Don't JudgeMaking judgments about our environment and the people around us is normal. But, I feel like our level of judgment in this cancel culture, internet troll world, has crossed a line. Every day seems to be judgment day in the world as a whole, in the parenting world, and in the disability parenting community.
That’s the topic of this episode—this escalating judgey free-for-all. I offer my take on it, with two examples of when I've felt judged for my parenting. I wanted to call this episode, "Judgey Judgers and That Time Mummy Lost Her Pants" but...2021-06-1730 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE11. My Big Brother: Life When Your Sibling Has DisabilitiesMy Twitter bio used to say, "I have two kids—one has special needs, but both are special." I wrote that before I knew to replace special needs with disabled and my bio has since been appropriately updated. However, there are a lot of special and endearing things about both of my children. In this episode, Sebastian joined his sister and I on the show to share a bit about his experience with having a sibling with disabilities.
He had his second Covid shot this week and isn't feeling the greatest. So, we kept the chat short and...2021-06-1021 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE10. Pandemic Potpourri and ChildbirthWhy "Pandemic Potpourri?" Well because it made me laugh. And alliteration, obviously. Plus, this episode is a bit of a mishmash.
I talk to my daughter Avery about her experience with her first Covid Vaccine. And then I talk (to myself and the dog) about what it was like giving birth during a pandemic... my son was born in 2003, during the SARS pandemic. I also share a bit about Avery's birth story.
This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited (to the best of her limited tech ability) by Lisa Thornbury.
2021-06-0324 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE9. Keeping Our Kids Safe: Abuse In The Disability CommunityIn this episode I’m tackling the uncomfortable subject of perverts, stranger danger and sexual predators, with a specific focus on a very vulnerable population—the disabled community. (Avery doesn't participate in this episode, but she'll be back next week.)
Protective Behaviours Program (Circles)
Factsheet: Women with Disabilities and Violence
Violent victimization of women with disabilities, 2014: Statistics Canada
Abuse of People with Disabilities; Disability Credit Canada
Violence against adults and children with disabilities: World Health Organization
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This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited (to the b...2021-05-2720 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE8. How To Make Your Digital Content Accessible & Why It's ImportantToday is Global Accessibility Awareness Day and we're talking about...global accessibility in terms of our digital world. Why does it matter? And how we can make it happen?
Rethinking The Term Hearing Impaired: https://bit.ly/3hFusPy
Website Accessibility Checker: https://bit.ly/3hMqS5Y
Audio Transcription: https://otter.ai
This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited (to the best of her limited tech ability) by Lisa Thornbury.
Read more at averybrightlife.com.
Come chat with us on social!
Instagram...2021-05-2024 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE7. Online School—The Naked TruthVirtual School has been amazing and awful and amazing. Avery tells us what she loves about learning online and what she misses about being at "real school."
Plus we talk tech and attending school from home. Webcams have been a gift. How could we possibly do online learning without them? But, webcams are also a hazard and I'll TMI you all about that.
Content Warning: There's a tiny bit of nudity. I mean, you can't see it, but I talk about it so... you have been warned.
This podcast was re...2021-05-1319 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE6. Motherhood Special—Thoughts On My Mother, Me as a Mom and What Motherhood Might Look Like For AveryNot to sound cheesy, but motherhood is a gift. And not one that everyone receives. Sometimes by choice. Other times, not. In this episode, our first "special" (we decided to level up for Mother's Day) I share some thoughts about my mom and what I learned from her, how I feel about being a mom myself, and what I hope (and fear) as Avery heads toward "mothering age."
Apologies for the airplane flying overhead, the street cleaner driving by. Twice. And the unidentified clicking sound in the early part of the recording. 🤷♀️
In case y...2021-05-0627 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE5. The BMCI wanted to call this episode, "Bad Moms Club" since it's about some of my less than stellar parenting moments. However, my pod partner Avery objected to the word "bad" so we settled on the abbreviation, BMC. Better than "The BM club" I guess. Haha! Who's the mature one in this podcast duo? Not me, obviously.
We're all doing our best. Some days we're crushing the parenting game. Other days, not so much. The point is, we all make mistakes or say or do things we're not super proud of. It's okay—parents are people too.
Co...2021-04-2929 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE4. My DaddyCome meet Avery's dad and find out what she loves most about him. Then Adrian and I participate in some awkward banter about waiting to find out who "caused" Avery's genetic mutation. Content Warning: We use the R-slur near the end of the episode. NOT flippantly or disrespectfully, but as part of an earnest discussion about language, and words getting lost in translation. Stay tuned to the end for Avery's robot joke.
This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited (to the best of her limited tech ability) by Lisa Thornbury.
Read more at averybrightlife.c...2021-04-2222 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE3. D DayEpisode 3 is all about the D word. No, not disabilities. We're talkin' diagnosis. The day Avery was officially diagnosed with a complex and rare chromosome deletion/duplication was a very hard day.
In this episode I'll be talking about what our daughter's diagnosis felt like in the early days and how we feel about it today. I also touch on the somewhat sensitive subject of grieving the loss of the life you expected. What's with me and touchy topics these days?
Stay tuned to the end of the episode for some true life take-aways and a...2021-04-1523 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE2. Not SpecialWhy does the term "Special Needs" still exist? It's outdated. It's also offensive to the majority of the disability community.
This episode is about why the term Special Needs is out dated and what we should use instead.
You can read my blog post on this topic and watch the "Human Needs" campaign video (mentioned in this episode) HERE.
Thanks so much for tuning in!
See you next Thursday for Episode 3!
This podcast was recorded in Garageband and edited (to the best of her limited tech ability) by Lisa Thor...2021-04-0827 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFE1. Who The What The?Here it is, finally, our very first full aVERY Bright Life (ABL) podcast episode! Apologies in advance for the 356 "uhs, ums, and so's." It's shocking how often we repeat certain words and sounds without even realizing it.
Avery and I had a blast recording this together (the editing wasn't as fun... but I'll get the hang of it eventually. And hopefully figure out how to get the volume right).
In episode 1 we talk about how this podcast was actually conceived six years ago (that's a LONG gestation period!) and why my old blog, Forever in Mo...2021-04-0116 minaVERY BRIGHT LIFEAvery Bright Life—TrailerWelcome to aVERY BRIGHT LIFE! We're excited you're here! My daughter Avery and I recorded this trailer so you can find out a bit about us before subscribing to our podcast. You're going to subscribe, right? ;)
Avery has an intellectual disability and profound speech disorder. Recording audio with a person who struggles with sentences longer than three words is, uh, challenging. But we're figuring it out, taking our time, and keeping it light.
This podcast isn't about smooth flowy sentences. Not at all. This is a place where imperfection and keeping it real is where it...2021-03-3002 min