The Extra Mile SG

Shumin
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A podcast inspired by our family's journey with Down syndrome. Through conversations with people from Singapore's Down syndrome community, we share reflections and practical wisdom about the joys, challenges, and everyday moments that shape this journey. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis, supporting a loved one, working alongside families, or curious to learn more, we hope these conversations offer hope and deepen understanding. Connect with us on Instagram at @theextramilesg. The Extra Mile SG is supported by the SG Partnerships Fund (Seed Tier).

Episodes

  1. 5 days ago

    A Conversation with a Paediatric Physiotherapist, La Min Maung

    In this episode, I chat with La Min, a paediatric physiotherapist. This chat is especially meaningful to me because Mia and our family benefited greatly from his guidance during Mia’s first year of life. In this conversation, some of the key questions we discussed include: What do terms such as low muscle tone and ligament laxity actually mean, and how might they impact movement and development? Why does starting physiotherapy early matter? And why might children with Down syndrome achieve their motor milestones at different times? La Min also shares practical tips on what parents can do to support their infants at home, as well as some encouraging words of wisdom from his years of experience. Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest Lamin 02:25 – Why working with families is rewarding 03:15 – Understanding how children with Down syndrome move differently 04:12 – Explaining hypotonia and ligament laxity with guitar analogy 07:32 – Importance of early physiotherapy and starting young 08:33 – How early intervention shapes movement patterns 09:32 – Supporting movement through physiotherapy before compensatory habits set in 10:30 – The significance of physiotherapy for children with Down syndrome 11:28 – Balancing milestone achievement with quality of movement 12:36 – Managing caregiver anxiety and realistic expectations 14:23 – Understanding developmental delays and individual differences 16:14 – Celebrating the individuality and temperament of children 17:10 – The non-linear nature of development and resilience 19:11 – The importance of patience, observation, and trust 23:28 – Advice for parents waiting for intervention 25:54 – Supporting infants at home through touch and tummy time 28:21 – Incorporating play and daily routines for development 30:20 – Supporting parents in their journey and community resources 37:41 – Words of encouragement for caregivers 39:49 – Closing remarks and gratitude for the guest

    A Conversation with a Paediatric Physiotherapist, La Min Maung

  2. 26 Aug

    Light in the Darkest Place: A Conversation with Mary

    Light in the Darkest Place: A conversation with Mary, Kayleen’s Mother  In this episode, Mary shares vulnerably about one of the hardest seasons in her family's journey with her daughter, Kayleen — the early years marked by repeated ICU stays and moments when they came frighteningly close to losing her.  Yet amidst the darkness, Mary remembers the many glimmers of light that shone through: the kindness of nurses, the care of family and friends, the prayers of people both known and unknown, and the unexpected strength and resilience she saw in Kayleen herself. A conversation about suffering and hope, resilience and faith, and the glimmers of light that can shine through even our darkest days. Mary also shares about the support her family received from Ronald McDonald House Charities Singapore during Kayleen's hospital stays, a resource that may be helpful to other families walking through a difficult hospital journey with a child. Timestamps: 1:02 — Mary introduces herself and family 2:06 — Why her blog is called “Simply Lamb Chops” 3:36 — Describing Kayleen’s personality 4:58 — First ICU episode and early medical struggles 8:22 — Kayleen thanking the nurse after a blood test 9:31 — A difficult hospital season 10:00 — The first ICU crisis  12:51 — Second ICU stay and ECMO 14:50 — Third ICU stay and pneumonia 17:48 — What helped them through the season 21:38 — How the experience changed Mary as a parent 24:03 — Realizing Kayleen is more resilient than expected 27:50 — How the season brought the family closer 30:08 — Ronald McDonald House as a supportive resource  33:12 — Advice for parents who may be in a similarly difficult season 36:51 — The greatest gift Kayleen has given Mary 37:17 — “I like to waste time with you” 39:18 — Karaoke and spending time together 40:33 — Closing remarks Resources and links Mary's blog, Simply Lamb ChopsRonald McDonald House Charities Singapore

    Light in the Darkest Place: A Conversation with Mary

  3. 5 Aug

    From Fear to Privilege: How Jacob Changed My Heart

    From Fear to Privilege: How Jacob Changed My Heart A Conversation with Carol, Jacob’s mom Join us in this heartfelt episode as Carol shares about the early days after Jacob’s diagnosis — the fears, questions, and uncertainty that followed. She opens up about how she was supported by her faith, her community, and the people who walked alongside her, and how this journey transformed her perspective about Down syndrome and changed her heart in unexpected ways. In this episode: Carol introduces herself and her family The early days of receiving Jacob's Down syndrome diagnosis and her initial emotional response. How her perceptions shifted from viewing Down syndrome as a challenge to seeing it as a gift. Memorable stories illustrating Jacob’s empathy, joy, and his relationship with his sister Claire. The significance of community, faith, and shared experiences with other families. Lessons learned about God's love, acceptance, and purpose through her journey. Practical advice for parents navigating diagnoses and the importance of hope and support. Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction to Carol and her journey with Jacob 01:05 - Carol shares her background and family life 01:41 - How her faith shaped her perspective on Down syndrome 02:22 - What Jacob is like: his personality and passions 03:16 - A touching story of Jacob’s empathy as a baby 04:20 - Adjusting to Jacob as an older brother and his relationship with Claire 05:05 - The day of Jacob’s diagnosis and initial emotional impact 06:20 - Overcoming grief and contemplating abortion 06:42 - The process of acceptance and choosing to keep Jacob 07:16 - The fears and worries in the early days 08:52 - Prayers for healing and how faith transformed her heart 09:45 - The moment her perspective began to shift 10:38 - How learning about others' joys with Down syndrome brought hope 11:35 - The significance of trusting God’s plan and surrendering 12:30 - Love at first sight: Jacob’s birth and the fading diagnosis 13:56 - Her parents’ acceptance and the power of familial support 15:11 - Meeting families and individuals with Down syndrome and their impact 15:55 - What Jacob reveals to Carol about God's heart 16:57 - The ways Jacob has strengthened her faith and marriage 17:30 - Advice to her past self and those newly diagnosed 18:21 - Encouragement for struggling parents: You are not alone 19:30 - The greatest gift Jacob has given her: Perspective 21:08 - Closing remarks Full episode transcript can be found at this link. Resources & Links: Jacob’s Instagram - JacobAweSomeSim

    From Fear to Privilege: How Jacob Changed My Heart

  4. 22 Jul

    S1E1: The Heart Behind 'The Extra Mile SG'

    In this episode, I invite my husband to join me as we share a little about our family, how this project came to be, and the hopes and vision for this platform. Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction to "The Extra Mile SG" podcast and its mission 00:35 - Meet us: Shumin and Zestin 01:13 - Their family's story and the journey with their daughters 01:50 - Shumin’s inspiration to start podcasting after noticing a gap 02:33 - The motivation to create a platform focused on Singaporean stories 03:00 - Inspiration from UK-based podcast channel "Coffee and Chromosomes" 03:40 - Choosing the podcast name "The Extra Mile" and its significance 04:24 - The broader meaning of going the extra mile for loved ones and community 05:01 - Shumin’s hopes for the podcast to share authentic stories and foster understanding 05:28 - Overcoming initial fears after diagnosis and the power of shared experiences 05:55 - The importance of building an archive of real lived experiences 06:24 - Expanding the podcast’s reach to include various community voices 07:10 - Future guest plans: parents, siblings, professionals, and people with Down syndrome 07:53 - Encouraging community engagement and feedback Full episode transcript can be found here at this link. Resources & Links Coffee and Chromosomes (UK-based podcast on Down syndrome)Connect with me: The Extra Mile InstagramEmail

    S1E1: The Heart Behind 'The Extra Mile SG'

  5. Trailer

    The Extra Mile SG - Podcast Trailer

    Welcome to The Extra Mile SG — a podcast where we share stories, reflections, and practical wisdom from the Down Syndrome community in Singapore.

Trailer

About

A podcast inspired by our family's journey with Down syndrome. Through conversations with people from Singapore's Down syndrome community, we share reflections and practical wisdom about the joys, challenges, and everyday moments that shape this journey. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis, supporting a loved one, working alongside families, or curious to learn more, we hope these conversations offer hope and deepen understanding. Connect with us on Instagram at @theextramilesg. The Extra Mile SG is supported by the SG Partnerships Fund (Seed Tier).

Information

  • Creator
    Shumin
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Shumin
  • Show Website
    The Extra Mile SG