Season 2, Episode 12, Part 1: Interview with Kayla McKeon & Rachel Burns. "A Friendship Without Walls"

This is the first of a four part interview with Kayla McKeon and Rachel Burns. Kayla McKeon is famous for being the first registered lobbyist with Down syndrome. She is also a podcast host, keynote speaker, and college student. She and Rachel Burns have been best friends for approximately 18 years. Rachel does not have a disability. Get to know them both in this episode. Their friendship will warm your heart. 

www.bornfabulouspodcast.com
Facebook Page: Born Fabulous Podcast
Instagram: bornfabulouspodcast
Twitter: @PodcastBorn
#BornFabulousPodcast

Transcript

spk_0:   0:01
Hello, My name is Greta Harrison. Welcome to Born Fabulous Podcast Episode 12 of Season two The theme of this season is Changing the world one friendship at a time. You will hear interviews with best friends. One person happens to have a disability and the other does not. This episode is the first of a four part interview with Kayla McEwen and her best friend, Rachel Burns. Kayla McEwan is famous for being the first professional lobbyist with Down Syndrome. She is the manager of grassroots advocacy for the National Down Centre of Society. She hosts a podcast called Kayla's Corner for Nds s, which I highly recommend. She is also keynote speaker in a college student. Kayla's best friend, Rachel Burns, does not have a disability. She's a professional hair stylist and the proud mother of two sons. She and Kayla have been best friends for about 18 years. In this episode, you will get to know Kayla and Rachel and hear how their friendship started. Please enjoy the short clip of Love is a potion. The lyrics are by Melissa Regio, who was the focus of episodes one through four in Season one. The music and the voice are by Rachel Fuller.

spk_1:   1:39
Thank you.

spk_0:   1:57
Hello. Welcome to born fabulous podcast. My name is Greta Harrison, and I am very, very, very happy to be joined today by Kayla McEwen and her friend Rachel Kobe of Burns. Kayla is the manager of grassroots advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society. She's the first registered lobbyist in D. C. With Down Syndrome. She's the host of Kayla's Corner podcast, which can be found it and dss dot org's. And she's a student. An and dog, a community college. Kayla is changing the world, if you can't tell every single day she's doing that. So welcome, Kayla. I like Welcome and welcome, Rachel.

spk_2:   2:47
Thank you.

spk_0:   2:48
Rachel. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself since I just gave a whole spiel about

spk_2:   2:53
that is exciting and not changing the world watches Caleb, but, um, I am a hairstylist in the Syracuse area, and I have two sons 26 19. Um, who are turned out to be pretty good kids, huh? Yeah. My youngest is a sophomore this week. Oh, State University and my older son is he just got out of the army, and he's home, right? now, um, but is planning on re enlisting and really I mean, I just That's about it. I'm pretty easy.

spk_0:   3:26
Okay, so you're a proud mama and a very, very proud friend. So let's let's hear about how you and Kaylen that. How did you meet? When did unique?

spk_2:   3:38
Oh, gosh, I don't even remember what year it was, but it was. It is. About 16 years ago, it was mad already. It was me we met at the salon, right? Oh, yeah. She was working in this line with K at the time. Um, and then Kate, um, she decided to get pregnant and she left on. And then I was handed Kayla. Um, and we started our friendship. There just are Saturday mornings together. It was great. I loved that. Yeah.

spk_0:   4:08
Okay. Kayla, what were you doing at the salon?

spk_2:   4:11
All right. There was approaching of the Sahara, and I wouldn't work in both chief or a fuel. Why? Woks under my immediate boss. And then once you what? I'm maturity leave. I saw Geo clean and have our about the different areas at Park about, say,

spk_0:   4:30
and that was the name of the Salat

spk_2:   4:32
Leisure's at Joe's my mental are. And she helped me the go. Ok, let's do this. Let's tactless after less or something.

spk_0:   4:43
So correct me if I'm wrong. It sounds like you kind of learn step by step to do a lot of things that that's long. Yeah. Okay. And and I'm gonna assume knowing Kayla's bubbly personality that included mingling with the clients for sure.

spk_2:   4:58
Absolutely. Yes, she would. A lot of kinds be right at the front desk breeding clients, you know, directing them where they need to go. You know, we're making them feel at home.

spk_0:   5:08
And how long did you work there, Kayla?

spk_2:   5:10
Oh, gosh. I was there for 14 years until I Until the National Down Syndrome Society, if I owned me on wow and that who 1017.

spk_0:   5:25
Okay. Wow, that was

spk_2:   5:28
seen Theo owed other time.

spk_0:   5:33
Okay, So you were working there while you were going to high school? Yes. Okay. And so that's when you met. And did you did your friendship Just Did you just click instant layer? Was it kind of over time, or

spk_2:   5:48
was it instantly? I would say Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

spk_0:   5:53
Okay. So how often do you communicate? Do you text each other call each other on the phone. What do you do?

spk_2:   6:01
Well, you will try and texting. Yeah, that's the lie acting. And when she was in D. C living their face time that a So, Yeah, but we text. Probably pretty often. Yeah. Yeah.

spk_0:   6:14
Okay. And how often you get to see each other?

spk_2:   6:17
Funny, we just get together the other day and we had those she got, so yeah, literally cardio. Okay, so we tried to get together, but he often, yes.

spk_0:   6:28
And do you do any fun things, like take girls trips or

spk_2:   6:33
you have to do that? Yeah, we haven't yet. She's pretty busy.

spk_0:   6:37
That's true. That's true. Thay important people that she interviews on her podcast can't even get on her lunch schedule. So I see that. Hey, so okay. So describe your friendship. If you

spk_2:   6:54
go, you go ahead. You You're the leader. I just follow yourself. Oh, I think it's a pretty See. It's a natural friendship. It that's the right word. And there's never anything. It's very hard to explain. Yeah, enough. May. There you oppose. I think it's, ah, a friendship where we don't have any walls. We share a lot. Yeah. You know something? You Sometimes, you know, shows should be more than she should. You know, there's those times where I'm like, huh? Okay, Um, but I think our friendship it's just a natural, isn't it? Yeah. It's really hard to put a label on it. Yeah, you know, I know I could tell her anything. Um, yeah. And she actually has great advice sometimes. Um, yeah. They got a cup of the boyfriend. Yeah, they write. Don't that one.

spk_0:   8:06
Did you say recycle?

spk_2:   8:08
Yeah. I don't like a little I don't recycle.

spk_0:   8:11
Oh, don't recycle. I thought she was telling you to recycle

spk_2:   8:15
hope when you're done. You know? Exactly.

spk_0:   8:18
Okay, well, that's well, that's really cool. Um, Kayla, how you have a life of big changes you One day, you could be in D. C meeting with somebody in Congress. On the next day, you could be back home and Syracuse. Yeah. So tell me how important it is to you toe. Have Rachel.

spk_2:   8:48
Let me when I am. Feel like I need to talk to somebody. I can tell them I love my pants. Don't get me wrong, but sometimes, but I don't need a friend. I know again. Always. I delayed about leg. Literally. Any sane entry has the best advice that I need because maybe a and this needs a visual in my life. And I'm so happy confusing for me because I'm quite close on things. She's right. TiVo is OK. This is what you get out of this way had a saint, so And who's paying for the trees down? I buy her a cup of coffee, and we talk or something to that extent and dies. Well, it takes a lot out. Um, he chose me, But what? I need a fun. I know. I can always count on wage.

spk_0:   9:41
Yeah, traveling. You do travel quite a bit. Traveling would take a lot out of anybody. That

spk_2:   9:46
was different times. So they could be very using it.

spk_0:   9:49
Yes. Now, uh, you know, you just mentioned about how you can reach out to her whenever you need. Rachel, you've seen her evolved from the time she was in high school to being interviewed by Steve Hartman or interviewing Tim Schreiber or she or she interviews Tim Shriver. So you're saying this Big Growth and Kayla Well, I mean, explain how that feels for you as a friend. Toe watch that,

spk_2:   10:22
um I'm in awe most of the time, you know, Just like Oh, my goodness. Like, when did this happen? You know, but it makes me very proud to see how far she's gone. Done. And you know what? She's what she's able to change and what she has changed. So I would say, like, crowd. Well, now I

spk_0:   10:45
bet you're a bet. You're very proud. Have?

spk_2:   10:48
Extremely. Yes.

spk_0:   10:49
Have you ever gone to D. C while she's been there or

spk_2:   10:53
had the opportunity? No. No. Now, at my times, a little more free now that my son's in college. So you know, I have more free time. Yeah,

spk_0:   11:02
eso maybe you'll be able to write.

spk_2:   11:06
Yes, yes,

spk_0:   11:07
that's that's really cool.

spk_2:   11:09
Yeah, we have some stuff that we've been planning for next year. Yeah, we decided we might do the but he walked together in New York City. Oh, cool. Normally I work there, buddy, work in the end, eso when it comes, I have making be lying, right? Yeah. So we're planning that, you know, that's in the world out, um, with my nephew Riley. So that will be it will be fun. Definitely. And I just everyone makeovers when that is. I'm not gonna finalize that. I think that the enemy next week I want us. I

spk_0:   11:46
Okay, now

spk_2:   11:48
the biggest body walks in New York City. They do this video in Times Square.

spk_0:   11:53
Of course.

spk_2:   11:54
I like the individuals with down syndrome. Then will be taken up us on board to Central Park Way. Do dance, Zumbado. I exercise you out, They have food. Is visit the commode away because of other people that stay away and does being able to interact with everybody. So I'm looking forward to after the meeting. Violin. The signs? Yes. Is that a picture?

spk_0:   12:25
That's wonderful. That's really That's really cool. Now tell me about your experience. Rachel. Was Kayla the first person with the with any kind of disability that you've ever had any kind of relationship was in your life? Or maybe not? Um,

spk_2:   12:45
no, it she's the closest that I'd become, Um, but growing up, I always, you know, included. You know, there was always somebody in class, you know, with a disability or anything like that. I was nature. They were included, so it was kind of the way I was raised, you know, we're all the same. You don't treat everybody equal, you know, and see what a person has to offer. You know, Don't just don't judge anybody you know. And don't you know, a book by the cover that you'd say, uh, you know, just include everyone and make everybody you know, we're all the same. The exact weight.

spk_0:   13:19
So when you grew up, you had people with disabilities in your classes. Yes. That's, you know, in 2019 That is still not the case in every school. And Kayla knows that. That's one of the things we advocate for. So that's really That's really great that you grew up that way. Yeah. And Kayla, what about your experience growing up? Did you have when you were in school? And I know you're been Kayla's in college because she's so busy that she only has time to take one basically one course of the time. Crafty

spk_2:   13:54
ku at I'm trying to make associates degree in general studies. But in order to do that, I need X amount of classes. But now I'm taking modern history. A Sunnis eyes estimating, Reg, I was, There's gonna be a long ways going. I'm like, eventually or you'll do it.

spk_0:   14:12
We'll do it. You'll do it that because I mean, you've got your driver's license. You'll dio he'll do it so yeah, but your what? Your experience in high school and now in college. Now I know that it's a little different because you are only taking one class and you travel quite a bit. So you have a busy, busy lifestyle. But what is your experience with friendship? Have most of your friends been people with disabilities or without or equal

spk_2:   14:42
is equal because this is may I like to make president before anybody because I am a bit, as you say, Bob away in our cockaigne that I like to talk to my classmates late. I'm leaving next week. So I I talked about my classmates about taking knows on my baby has thereby mystical as I can get those nose. So this I loved it. I think classes in my beos lover tend to head with them, and I don't really even know I am differently abled that they know I don't care because I'm like Rachel said, Well goes like everybody else. I won't be treated like Scotch, so I'm does happy Joe. Um, is that to exactly interact with my Pio's? And normally, when I take my class, I they I like to do it. Introductory winners in my book faster, then even know my job. No, I'm gonna be a traveling a lot like heavy duty Trevor Lane. And I'm able puzzles have day. Is he going? And they know because it is the I Z on TV or what? Oh, over the case. Maybe we get it. We'll accommodate you. So I've been getting their cabin dangers with my professor without a problem.

spk_0:   16:14
You know, you just gave and that little bit a lot of good advice for people out there. Um, first of all, you yourself reach out to your pairs just like anybody else would. I need help with notes. So you do that reaching out, and then you do the reaching out to your professor and you tell your professor Hey, this is the deal. Yeah, And it And this is what's up. And this is that I'm gonna need these accommodations. But you handle that yourself. Which is why you're such a good ambassador for everybody.

spk_2:   16:44
thank you. And I do have a mental in the class that also Hobbs Mia's allow.

spk_0:   16:49
Oh, that's wonderful. Do you have? Ah, yeah. Did you have you done that your whole journey? Because there's a lot of kids going to college now, and you're going to community college, which people need to know is an option. People, there are four year schools to go to, and that's great for some people. But other people might want to work a job and go to community college. So have you had a mentor the whole time? Like in each class? Do you do that? Or is that just this class?

spk_2:   17:14
In high school, I had a teacher's aide. Um, October is your point. Because when I had that aid in school, I didn't know this intense glade I mentioned about, uh is usually a teacher's aide. Runs over him in the hallways, tried across that. I'm like, uh, no, thank you. I got that. And find out. Also out college. I do have a mental. All that helps me, Mike. Lads, going out over this is the starting either. So you haven't looked at. He has made taking notes. I still need that. How can you help me figure out what was needed for the next crap?

spk_0:   17:55
Okay. And a mentor could be another peer mentor. Doesn't necessarily mean ah, what the typical aid that you just gave an example of, which makes me laugh. You know, we have to remember that we have to. There's so many aides who never got any training and don't know what is really proper help of what is not and that that's an f Y I to every school system out there, you need to train your paraprofessionals along with your teachers and your administrators because it's not being done enough. And you just great example. Kayla McKean Que Quinn, who is literally traveling all over and changing the world, did not need somebody to hold her hand in high school. Oh, wow. So yeah, Okay, that's that's that

spk_2:   18:50
was that was an interesting conversation. So, Nawas thank

spk_0:   18:56
you for listening to Born Fabulous Podcasts. 12th episode of Season two I hope you enjoyed it and want to hear more. If you would like to see this episode, it is available on YouTube and on born fabulous podcast dot com The friendship between Kayla and Rachel is a joy to see as well is here an episode 13 Kill and Rachel will share stories about their friendship and talk about some big moments in their lives. To see some photos and videos of Kayla and Rachel or to sign up for email list, please go to www dot born fabulous podcast dot com. Please like us on Facebook. Follow us on Instagram. Find us on Twitter at podcast born and subscribe to our YouTube channel. We're also on Pinterest. I'd be honored if you would leave a review on apple podcasts. Now please enjoy this clip of love is a potion, the lyrics or by Melissa Regio, who was the focus of episodes one through four in Season one. The music and voice are by Rachel Fuller.