Sept. 9 marks the 12th anniversary of the first international FASD Awareness Day.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is the leading cause of development disability among Canadian children. Approximately one in 100 Canadian children will be born with FASD.
FASD is preventable - if alcohol is not consumed during pregnancy FASD cannot occur. For this reason, it is safest not to drink any amount of or type of alcohol during pregnancy. It is best for mothers to stop drinking even before becoming pregnant.
Some of the effects of FASD include:
Brain damage that could result in difficulties learning, thinking things through and getting along with others;
Heart, kidney, liver and other organ damage;
Bones, limbs and fingers that are not formed properly;
Vision and hearing problems;
Stunted growth.
The FASD committees in Prairie North Health Region are encouraging the public to take time on FASD Awareness Day, at 9:09 a.m., to pause and observe a minute of reflection. Think about the lifelong, preventable disability known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).
This year, the Battlefords FASD committee has organized a barbecue for Sept. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. in partnership with North West Regional College. The barbecue will be held at NWRC.
Come out and test your knowledge about FASD and receive a free hot dog and bottle of water. Expectant mothers will also receive a coupon for a free non-alcoholic beverage at participating businesses. The coupons are one step in creating health environments that support mothers to abstain from drinking alcohol. Support the mothers in your life by choosing not to drink also contributes to the healthy choice being the easy choice.
"Fetal alcohol syndrome is not rare but it is not well understood," says Colleen Sabraw, chairperson of the Battlefords FASD Interagency Committee.
FAS is the common term used to describe the condition present a birth. FASD is the umbrella term covering the range of disabilities caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol.
"There are children, parents and families in the regiont hat are experiencing the impacts of FASD. The community as a whole is affected when children and their families suffer with illness," Sabraw explains.
"FAS is 100 per cent preventable and for that reason we must raise awareness about what it is, how it is caused and how to prevent it."
Women who need assistance to stop drinking during pregnancy should consult their doctors or agencies that can assist them to stop drinking. It is important to remember most people need professional help to stop using alcohol and other drugs.
To contact the FASD committee of PNHR by e-mailing [email protected].
- Submitted by the Battlefords FASD Interagency Committee
