Something Out of Nothing | 45 Minutes, E2

What happens when families need support and opportunities for their children, but few exist? In the early 1960s, Keith and Natalie Yelinek were navigating life with their daughter, Kristin, at a time when families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities had few resources and limited educational options. Finding support meant connecting with other families, learning from those willing to help, and working together to create possibilities that had not existed before. In Episode 2 of 45 Minutes, Keith and Natalie reflect on the people and organizations that helped them find their footing. We hear how local advocacy began gaining attention, how the community and the Kennedy family helped bring visibility to these efforts, and how parents and advocates began working toward better opportunities for children with disabilities. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Alice Udvari-Solner and Joel Amidon offer historical context and reflections on the people and efforts that helped move this work forward. A note about language: This episode includes historical language used to describe people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that is offensive and unacceptable today. We include these words because they were part of Keith and Natalie’s experience in 1962 and help us understand the attitudes and systems they encountered. They do not reflect the language or views of the producers of this series. 45 Minutes is a five-part Amidon Planet special series about a family’s story of advocacy, education, and the ongoing work of inclusion. Listen on the Amidon Planet podcast feed, and find supporting materials for the series at amidonplanet.com/45minutes⁠ (http://amidonplanet.com/45minutes%E2%...) .