Building the Village
Building the Village
Podcast Description
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.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
Centers around special needs advocacy, inclusion in communities, and parental challenges, with episodes covering topics such as the impacts of Down syndrome on family dynamics and the role of schools in fostering inclusive environments.
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.
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.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.