International FASD Day brings hope of an end in sight

On the 9th day of the 9th month, church bells ring to symbolize the 9 months of pregnancy. Months which many FASD support services hope will be alcohol free.

“This is a disorder which is an organic brain disorder and it is a life long disorder,” said Hazel Mitchell, Coordinator for the South Alberta FASD Service Network. “It is 100 per cent preventable without the consumption of alcohol so we really encourage women not to consume alcohol while they’re pregnant.”

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is the leading cause of preventable brain damage and birth defects and has a significant impact on those with FASD, and their families.

In Canada, one in every 100 babies is affected with some form of FASD. Even more troubling, the South Alberta FASD Network says every year more than 360 babies in Alberta are born with the disorder.

Statistics like these are met with frustration from service workers, who are hoping the international event will encourage women to seek help if they can’t abstain from alcohol while pregnant.

“We don’t want this disability to happen anymore,” said Laura Elliot, McMan Youth, Family & Community Services. “It is 100 per cent preventable but that’s making it light. Addiction is a difficult thing, but not all individuals with FASD had a mother who was addicted.”

There are multiple support programs in place to help not only those with FASD, but their caregivers and families too.

People with the developmental disability often need help dealing with mental health issues, social services, education, addictions and the justice system.

“You don’t have one problem when you have this developmental disability, it is across their whole lives it is whenever they meet someone who thinks that they are able and capable. because they can talk the talk, but they can’t walk the walk,” said Elliott.

And service workers say it’s time for others to walk the walk in bringing the number of those born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder to an end.