Taryn Lagonigro

Taryn Lagonigro's life changed in 2019 when she learned the baby she was carrying would be born with Down syndrome. A longtime storyteller and passionate individual, Taryn knew she wanted to be a part of making change. As a mother of four daughters, corporate leader and yoga and meditation instructor, Taryn combined her unique skills into the brands she co-owns, Iris Yogaand Extra Lucky Moms, and also founded Four Clovers Publishing. The goal of all of these organizations is to nurture individuals, create inclusive spaces and amplify voices. She has authored and published multiple works, launched The Extra Lucky Podcast, and frequently appears in national media discussing disability, parenting and the transformative effects of yoga & meditation. Honored with the 2024 National Down Syndrome Congress Social Media Award, Taryn collaborates in a variety of ways to craft authentic, engaging narratives, leveraging her unique blend of skills as a storyteller, wellness instructor, and disability advocate.

Strong, Beautiful, Brave & Smart, by Taryn Lagonigro, is a children’s book that tells the story of a mother who receives a Down syndrome diagnosis for her daughter. Initially, the mom experiences fear and uncertainty, but she learns to overcome these feelings through her journey. Together, she and her daughter recite empowering mantras: "I am strong," "I am beautiful," "I am brave," and "I am smart." These affirmations not only bolster her daughter's confidence but also help the mother embrace her role with courage and love. Taryn, an advocate for the disability community, shares this heartfelt narrative inspired by her experiences with her youngest daughter, Rhea, who has Down syndrome.

"Dear Mama: Stories of an Extra Lucky Life" is a collection of essays written for the extra lucky community BY the extra lucky community. Extra Lucky Moms was founded in May 2021 by Jessica Quarello and Taryn Lagonigro, who are both moms of children with disabilities. They connected because of their daughters and their friendship sparked the start of their extra lucky journey. Their organization celebrates children with Down syndrome, autism, Jordan’s Syndrome, trisomies, heart conditions, and many more, and provides a space where every parent, caregiver and therapist belongs. Dear Mama is a direct result of this community. Jess and Taryn felt there was not enough appropriate and supportive literature available to new moms experiencing overwhelming medical information, appointments and general unknowns. Moms truly just want to feel seen, heard and understood and that they too will be OK. This book hopes to help make that happen. Dear Mama includes 28 essays written by incredibly inspiring mamas who opened up their hearts in the hopes of helping someone else through their words. Our mission is to get this book in the hands of the mom who needs it so she feels hope and peace. We also believe this book is a beautiful and inspiring way for anyone to learn more about the experience of parents and children in the disability community.