These powerful words are from Picture This: The Life as a Parent of Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. The exhibit was created by five courageous women from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, Canada.

Each woman was asked to take photos that provide a look into her life as a parent of a child with FASD and to write a narrative about the photo.

The above graphic is not the original photo – it is my re-creation / interpretation based on the original photo – however the quote is as is.

I have been re-creating graphics to go with these words and posting on: Our Sacred Breath on tumblr – however given that today, February 15, is National Flag of Canada Day, I thought it was appropriate to use the Canadian Flag as the backdrop for the quote.

Even though these words were spoken almost 10 years ago, they still ring true today. We may have made some headway in awareness, but the stigma, shame and ignorance and denial are still present. It’s time, as Canadians, we stand together, to support each other.

More information about FASD can be found on the Canada FASD Research Network website.

Thank you to the Healthy Generations Family Support Program and Community Living Dryden-Sioux Lookout for granting me permission to share the quotes from Picture This.