I registered to watch a webinar tonight with David Kessler and Dr. Gabor Maté on grief and trauma. He was promoting his new book The Myth of Normal. Which was the reason I registered. It was only an hour and I planned to watch while the maiden was on a call with her worker. The … Continue reading A lesson on grief and trauma from Gabor Maté
Gwendolyn sees a confidential school report listing her weaknesses. She knows she struggles. Now she has proof. She develops a list of fifty-four things to get under control. Because to go to horse camp, she must behave. And so begins the story of 11-year-old Gwen, who thinks she has only one friend, a half-brother, who her mother doesn't acknowledge, and a brain that cracks. They thought she had ADHD. If you read this book, you may think like me, it might be just be FASD.
One of the keys to helping someone with FASD is to meet them “where they are” not where society thinks they should be. I’ve had discussions with countless people who offer well-meaning but ill-informed advice, such as, “When I was 18, I was in college, had a job, was living on my own, or in … Continue reading FASD Acceptance and Understanding (Wish 3/12)
Continuing with the suggestions to change our language around FASD, Days 23 - 25 of 99 Days to FASDay focus on how to change the conversation when we talk about alcohol, away from the shame and blame. I don't know about you, but I'm 50/50 on having used these terms in the past. I've likely … Continue reading Days 23-25: Talking About Alcohol Use and Stamping Out Stigma
I gave the crone (my mother) a small bouquet of tulips on her birthday. One morning while having coffee with her she said how much she really liked the one that was "different" from the rest. She thought it was the most beautiful and special of the bunch. She said it reminded her of the … Continue reading Different is Beautiful
An article I read stated that Hank Ketcham, the creator of Dennis the Menace, modelled the cartoon character after his own son, who had Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD (original piece I wrote here). What about Anne of Green Gables? Did she have FASD? I recently discovered an article, Leave Anne alone? published in Maclean's magazine (June … Continue reading First Dennis, now Anne!
Once again this year my 17 years in age daughter is asking to go out for Halloween. I struggle between letting her do what she is excited about and still interested in and the "you are too old" that I was told when I entered high school. But I was a neuro-typical teen. At 14 … Continue reading Acceptance for All this Hallows’ Eve
Today is another scorcher, with humidity, here in Eastern Ontario. The kilometre walked was early this morning. Not too many people outside. Then it was a quick water of the garden. The plants are wilting in this heat. The weather and being in the garden gave me so many metaphors to the experience of living with someone … Continue reading Day 6: Kilometre 6 (all over the map and brain) in Red Shoes Rock. Stop FASD.
Another kilometre walked to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Today I wanted to share information about a campaign to Stamp Out Stigma of birth mothers of children with FASD. This stigma also extends to adoptive/foster parents, caregivers, and those with FASD. In the efforts of all involved in talking about the prevention of … Continue reading Day 3: Kilometre 3: (Stamp Out Stigma) 9 kms in 9 days for Red Shoes Rock. Stop FASD.
The maiden will be sixteen in five weeks. In eight weeks it will be our eighth anniversary as a family. She also wants a tattoo. So, I told her she would have a decision to make: birthday party or tattoo. I can't afford both. She chose the tattoo. Big relief for me! While some parents … Continue reading Birthday party or tattoo? Celebrating sweet sixteen and eight years.
our sacred breath 
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