Description Our guest this week is David Aarestad of Champaign, IL who is a lawyer by education and training, an adjunct professor of Law at University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign and father of two, including one with Down Syndrome.    David and his wife, Karen, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two children: Brynn (20) and Sofia (22) who has Mosaic Down Syndrome, which impacts only 1 1/2% of those with Down Syndrome.   Prior to moving to Illinois two years ago, the Aarestads lived in Denver for more than a decade.  While there

Description Our guest this week is Frank Dillon of Glendale, AZ who is a professor at Arizona State University in the School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology and perhaps most importantly, father of two including one with Down Syndrome. Frank and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of two children: Brady (14) and Reese (18) who has Down syndrome. We learn about a number of organizations that Reese and the Dillon family have benefited from, including: Gigi’s Playhouse, New York Special Olympics and Arizona Down Syndrome Network. It’s an uplifting story about

Description Our guest this week is Jerod Garland of Pella, IA who is an 8th grade history teacher, an author and father of three including one with Down Syndrome.  Jerod and his wife, Leah, have been married for 19 years and are the proud parents of three girls: Zoe (11), Eliana (14) and Kayla (17), who has Down syndrome. In addition to being an 8th grade history teacher Jerod authored the book Shovels And Spades, where he shares his journey as the father raising a spirited daughter with Down Syndrome. We also learn about two organizations that have played an important role

Description Our guest this week is Rodger Northouse of Summit, WI, a manufacturing software and hardware consultant, founder of Let Us Ride and father of two, including son with Down Syndrome.  Rodger and his wife, Jennifer, have been married for 14 years and are the proud parents of two children: Georgia (14), and Reed (12), who has Down syndrome. The couple are co-owners of Let Us Ride, an adaptive bike company that makes cycling more accessible by providing extra support, stability, and customization to suit different abilities and limitations.  Some of the different styles include: handcycles, tricycles, tandem bikes, recumbent

Our guest this week is Alfred Niwagaba, of Kampala, Uganda who is the director of the Little Angels School in Wakiso and father of four children including a son with Down Syndrome.   Alfred and his wife, Rosemary Nambooze, have been married for 16 years and are the proud parents of four children: Benjamin (5), Beroil (9), Abigale (15) and Abryl (14), who has Down Syndrome and has some hearing deficits. Alfred runs The Little Angels School, with over 600 students.  Alfred and Rosemary also run Angel’s Center For Children With Special Needs, a NGO that serves families raising children

Our guest this week is Scott MacGregor of Fishers, IN who is Executive Director of Content and Storytelling at Eli Lilly and Company and father of three including one with Down Syndrome. Scott and his wife, Sara, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of three living children: Ainsley (16), Jack (18) and Abby (21) who has Down Syndrome.  Very sadly, their son Owen who had Trisomy 13, was still born in 2011.  We learn about a wide range of organizations Abby has benefited from, including: Gigi’s Playhouse,, Unified Track, Kids Dance Outreach and First Steps

Our guest this week is Allan Turner of Mansfield, TX proprietor of Turner Insurance Group and father of three including one with Down Syndrome. Allan and his wife, Ebony, have been married for 23 years and are the proud parents of three children: Anaiah (19), Jael (17) and Isaiah (10), who has Downs Syndrome. Allan owns an insurance brokerage agency, which is how he supports his family.  Not satisfied with the level of life and health insurance available to families touched by disability, Allan has been an outspoken advocate to create new products that meet the unmet needs of families

Our guest this week is Keith Harris of Albuquerque, NM, an entrepreneur and father of four including one who has Down Syndrome.   Keith and his wife, Jeannie, have been married for 44 years and are the proud parents of four: Daniel (39), Tim (38), Thomas (35) and John (33).  Tim is the one with Down Syndrome. Tim’s got a big heart which he opens to virtually everyone he meets.  And he’s a busy guy.  They opened and ran Tim’s Place Restaurant for five years, where ‘hugs’ were listed on the menu, which Tim would deliver as requested.  Tim also

Our guest this week is Keith Harris of Albuquerque, NM, an entrepreneur and father of four including one who has Down Syndrome.   Keith and his wife, Jeannie, have been married for 44 years and are the proud parents of four: Daniel (39), Tim (38), Thomas (35) and John (33).  Tim is the one with Down Syndrome. Tim’s got a big heart which he opens to virtually everyone he meets.  And he’s a busy guy.  They opened and ran Tim’s Place Restaurant for five years, where ‘hugs’ were listed on the menu, which Tim would deliver as requested.  Tim also

Our guest this week is Bob Bourke of Evanstan, IL, a retired banker, father of four including a daughter with Down Syndrome and an advisory board member at Misericordia in Chicago. Bob and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 44 years and are the proud parents of three boys: Bo (40), Matt (36), and Nick (32) as well as daughter, Molly (38) who has Down Syndrome. Bob had a storied career in banking. We learn about the wide range of programs and services Molly benefited from and that have helped her develop into this bright, vivacious young woman. Bob

Listen to “Dad to Dad 277 – Gus Aguilera of Oak Harbor, WA A Cinematic Special Effects Editor, Single Father of 3 Including A Son With Down Syndrome” on Spreaker. Our guest this week is Gus Aguilera of Oak Harbor, WA who is a cinematic special effects, IT specialist and a father of three children including a son who has Down Syndrome. Gus and his x-wife Bobbie Jo, became teen parents and were married for 36 years, before divorcing earlier this year. They are the proud parents of three children: Cassandra (35), Jordan (27) and Gabriel (14), who has Down

Our guest this week is Brady Murray of Salt Lake City, who is father to 11 children, a managing director at Capstone Partners a Mass Mutual General Agent, founder of RODS Heroes as well as the Special Abilities Network. Brady and his wife, Andrea, have been married for 21 years and are the proud parents of 11 children. By age they are: Brinley (17), Nash (16), Ridge (13), Copper (11), Mason (8), Willow (6) and Olivia (5) and as this episode gets published the couple is in Columbia adopting four siblings: John (16), Jarrow (14), Sandra (15) and Roccio (10).

Our guest this week is Rob Billerbeck of Lakewood, CO who works for the National Park Service in Colorado. Rob and his wife, Sarah, have been married for 27 years and are the proud parents of three children; a daughter, a son who has Down Syndrome. Rob reflects on being the 9th of nine children and the impact that losing a sister in a car accident and a brother to suicide. Rob also reflects on the challenges they have encountered as parents, the organizations that played an influential role and very humbly, how his children have been his greatest teacher.

Our guest this week is Robert Hendershot of Irvine, CA owner of Material Engineering, a manufactures’ rep firm, founder of Angels For Higher, a non-profit dedicated to providing employment for young adults with Down Syndrome, and author of the book Angel For Higher. Robert and his wife, Melissa, have been married for 37 years and are the proud parents of three boys: Tanner (28), Taylor (30) and Trevor (32), who has Down Syndrome. Trevor is a team greeter for the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Rams and Anaheim Ducks. Trevor’s experiences lead Robert to create Angels for Higher, working with

Our guest this week is Olivier Bernier of Montcliar, NJ, who is a writer, producer, filmmaker and owner of Rota6 Film Company. Olivier and his wife, Hilda, are the proud parents of two; Camila Rose (1) and Emilio (6) who has Down Syndrome. We’ll hear Olivier’s story including his lifelong love for film and discover details about his award winning documentary, “Forget Me Not: Inclusion In The Classroom.” That’s all on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Show Notes –Email – olivier@rota6.comWebsite – https://www.forgetmenotdocumentary.com/Website – https://rota6films.com/LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivier-bernier-baba3616/The Film “Forget Me Not: Inclusion In The Classroom” – https://www.forgetmenotdocumentary.comForget Me Not, Inclusion In The

Our guest this week is Paul Peterangelo of Tonowanda, NY, who is clinical supervisor at Fidelis Care, Director of Worship Band Psalm 151 at Saint Amelia RC Church, and father of five girls including one with Down Syndrome. Paul and his wife, Renee, have been married for 29 years and are the proud parents of five daughters; Sonia (37), Emilia (36), DeAnna (28), Amanda (26) who has Down Syndrome and Tabitha (21). We’ll hear Paul’s story which includes: his role as a nurse practitioner, including 15 years in the ER on the night shift, the ups and downs of raising

Our guest this week is Damion Navarro of Frankfort, IL, owner of NES Environmental, a father of three, including son Carter, who has Down Syndrome, and now a farmer! Damion and his wife, Sherri, are co-founders of Navarro Farm, a place to grow and employ people with all types of ability. We’ll hear Damion’s and the Navarro Farm story in this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. Navarro Farm – https://www.navarrofarm.orgEmail – damion@navarrofarm.orgLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/damion-navarro-31314160/CBS Story – https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/08/13/navarro-farm-frankfort-illinois-special-needs/ Transcript: Tom Couch: To all dads raising a child with special needs, mark your calendar and plan to attend the Special Fathers Network Dad’s Virtual

Our guest this week is Eliya Stromberg, the founder of Fathers Connect and author of Chosen Fathers. Eliya and his wife Esther have several grandchildren and parent of three grown children, including Ariel (32) who has Down Syndrome. We’ll hear Eliya’s story about growing up in Los Angeles, taking degrees from UC Berkeley, Yeshiva University (NYC) and University of Kansas and how his career took him all across North America, before landing in Jerusalem. We also learn about his transformation from being an educator of to the parent of a child with special needs and his calling to assist fathers, which

Our guest this week is Paul Mannino of Libertyville, IL, who is CFO at the Archdiocese of Chicago and the father of four, including Sofia (18) who has Down syndrome. Paul talks very openly and authentically about his career, which included overseas assignments, his family and recent divorce. We’ll hear Paul’s story on this Special Fathers Network Dad to Dad Podcast. LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulvmannino/ Western DuPage Special Recreation Association – https://www.warrenvilleparks.org/programs/wdsra/ Transcript: Tom Couch: Special thanks to Horizon Therapeutics for sponsoring today’s Special Father’s Network Dad to Dad podcast. Working tirelessly to research, develop, and bring forward medicines for people living with