September has been a busy month as advocates, individuals, caregivers, organizations and professionals came together to raise the profile of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. We all know that advocacy and awareness will not stop as the month ends, but a special month does provide increased exposure. I participate in a variety of activities year round, … Continue reading FASD: A Tale Told in 9 Ts
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.
This is a book review of Diane Malbin’s Trying Differently Rather Than Harder - a foundational book for many caregivers of individuals with FASD. It lays the groundwork for creating a paradigm shift that is required to support people with FASD and others with brain-based conditions.
Have you heard the saying that kids with FASD are 10 second kids living in a 1 second world? It is a great way to illustrate the difference in response between our kids and others without a developmental disability. It is difficult for so many to understand as many of our children look “typical” so … Continue reading 10 Second Kids in a 1 Second World
UPDATE: Bill 172 passed Second Reading! It will now go to a Standing Committee for further consideration. During the Committee stage the specific details of the Bill will be examined, and members of the public may be given the opportunity to appear as a witness or produce a written submission with thoughts on the Bill. … Continue reading Second Reading of Bill 172 – FASD and the Education Act
It’s strange and wonderful... even magical how the world works. After having a really defeating week last week, Monday arrived and the universe sent me a message to remind me that even in the middle of difficult times, if we remain open, we can find moments of magic to lift our spirits. This week is … Continue reading Our Magical Day
I found this Nelson Mandela quote from 1997. The true character of a society is revealed in how it treats its children. A year before my daughter was born. In her 22 years of life we still have quite a ways to go but even more so for people with disabilities. Many are still discriminated against, … Continue reading Mid-life Advocacy Crisis or Dark Night of the Soul
Today, on this 9th day of the 9th month at the 9th hour, International FASD Awareness Day, we are encouraged to stop, reflect on and share the message of no alcohol for nine months during pregnancy (049) to bring attention to the risks of prenatal exposure to alcohol. I wondered how I would end the … Continue reading FASDay: What are you grateful for?
Following on the heels of the recent Ontario 2017 Budget Provides $26 Million for FASD, The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Health, for Canada, announced $3.6 million in federal funding for five projects aimed at preventing and screening for alcohol use in pregnancy. According to a News Release issued on May 5, project leads will work with … Continue reading Public Health Agency of Canada investing $3.6 M into 5 projects to address FASD
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