Pregnant with her daughter Ruby, Melody Forsyth thought hiking would be her "last hurrah" when she found out Ruby has Down Syndrome (DS). Turns out, it was just the beginning. We talk about what having a child with special needs has added to Melody's hiking and personal life, and how she uses social media to break stereotypes about her little girl and DS.

Women featured in this episode: Melody Forsyth

Hosted by Gale Straub

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How Melody balances the roles of mother, nurse, hiker, and wife
• The ways in which a backpacking experience in her teens has carried with her into her 40's
• Getting started hiking again a little later in life
• Why fear of not getting to explore after having a child with Down Syndrome got Melody's family outside
• How seeing a kid with special needs at a National Park assuaged Melody's fears
• How Ruby connects with the outdoors
• Melody's family's quest to visit all the National Parks in the US
• The ways Melody uses her Instagram @downwithadventure to correct misconceptions about Down Syndrome and hiking with a child with special needs
• What Ruby has taught Melody (and can teach us!)

Sponsored by Away and Bombas

Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group

Camp with us In Taos at the Women on the Road Gathering

Resources

• Melody's instagram: @downwithadventure
• Learn about their family on the Goal Zero Blog

Sponsor Websites and Codes

• Bombas: Get 20% off your first purchase by using code

'explores' at checkout! * Away: Get $20 off your first purchase of a suitcase by using

code 'explores' at checkout! * Get 20% off an Escape Campervan rental by using code 'WOMEN20'

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Music is by Jason Shaw using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Music is also by Bouquet and Liam McNally