What is The Emily Talk?

Who are we?

I'm Tom Felter, an avid coffee-lover, movie quote master, and I've worked in Emergency Medical Services for over 30 years. I'm married to Tina Felter, a labor/delivery nurse, sarcasm queen, and all-around kick ass woman. Most importantly though, I'm Emily's Dad.

Emily is 29-years-old and she has Down syndrome. She loves Victorious, iCarly, Hannah Montana, High School Musical, and all those cool shows. On a typical day, you can catch her riding her three-wheel bike for hours on end, listening to music on blast, and enjoying a nice, cold Dr. Pepper while hanging with her awesome family.

While a lot of people may know someone like Emily, sadly too many just don't understand her or how to interact with her in everyday and emergency situations. People with Down syndrome and autism are all so different -- there's so much to learn! That's why we started The Emily Talk, to teach first responders and the wider community about how to interact with individuals with Down syndrome, autism, and other disabilities.

With my experience being a first responder and Emily's Dad, I've gotten to see things from both perspectives. Now, Emily, Tina and I present The Emily Talk to first responder agencies, community organizations, and businesses. Want us to come to your community? Book us!

​Click here to view some of the places we've presented at before. 
On left, is middle-aged white man Tom Felter talking to Emily Felter, his 26 year old daughter who has Down syndrome. They are presenting in front of a crowd. Three women are visible from the back in the front row, and there is a TV screen presenting a powerpoint slide.
Our first Emily Talk in February of 2015.
On the left is Emily, a young woman with Down syndrome, in a pink princess cap. In the middle is Tom, a middle aged white man, with a Monster's Inc. hat on. On the right is Tina, a middle aged white woman, wearing a Minnie Mouse headband. They are all smiling at the camera, Emily is covering her ears.
Emily, me, and Tina.

Learn More About The Emily Talk:

The MAAC Foundation, a local foundation that does emergency services training, sat down with me to promote The Emily Talk. Check it out!

Did you know we're in a documentary?

Northwest Indiana documentary filmmaker, Carmen Vincent, is currently creating a documentary about us and our advocacy called Teacher of Patience. Our hope is to go around the country to local first responder agencies, community organizations, and businesses to present this film along with our Emily Talk, followed by questions and discussion. Coming soon! Learn more at www.teacherofpatience.com.

Want to book one of these screenings/discussions ahead of time? Email us at [email protected] or use our contact form here.

As seen on The Whitney Reynolds Show!

I had the opportunity to sit down with Whitney Reynolds to discuss Emily and her impact on the world. Our conversation will be featured in an upcoming episode of The Whitney Reynolds Show. For now, enjoy this sneak preview clip! 

...and The Lucky Few Podcast!

For 5 seasons and over 200 episodes, Heather Avis, Micha Boyett, and Mercedes Lara take on conversations in the Down Syndrome Community that people not only want to hear, but need to hear. They use their platform to shout the worth of people's loved ones with Down Syndrome. 

I sat down with Tina, Carmen, Heather, and, briefly, Emily to discuss The Emily Talk, Teacher of Patience, our lives, and how first responders and the wider community can work to interact with people with disabilities in the safest, most dignified way possible.

Listen Here.

Questions?

The Emily Talk

[email protected]
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