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Episode 133: What I wish I knew about…raising twins and one with Down Syndrome

October 1, 2025

Guest: Missy Haughery, Twin & Special Needs Mom

Twin and special needs mom Missy Haughery shares her journey of raising twins—one with Down syndrome—and the lessons she wishes she’d known from the start. She is as candid about the struggles, in parenthood and marriage, as she is about the lessons and the joy. It all helped shape the family she loves. If you’ve ever gotten a diagnosis that feels overwhelming, you’ll be empowered by Missy’s story of encouragement, perspective, and practical advice for parents navigating a similar path.

In this episode, we chat about:

- Missy’s experience in the NICU with two newborns and a new diagnosis
- Raising twins when one has special medical or developmental needs, unexpected challenges in the first year at home, and navigating milestones with twins who are on different developmental timelines
- Missy’s advice for another parent who just found out their baby has Down syndrome—especially if they also have a sibling the same age

About the guest

Missy Haughery, hand to hold nicu babies parent support podcast

Missy Haughery is the executive director of Down Syndrome Alabama, a statewide organization dedicated to supporting individuals with Down syndrome, their families, and their communities across Alabama through advocacy, connection, and education. She has led the organization for the past two and a half years, following a 26-year career as a high school educator. Missy and her husband, Mark, live in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills with their three children: Annmarie, age 14, and twin sons, Chapman and John, age 12. John has Down syndrome.