Listen to persons who have fetal alcohol - they have insight we can all use.
This is John Kellerman's speech given on 09.09.09
Great job John!
My name is John Kellerman.I’m the drummer in the band at the 9:30 service at St. Paul’s church. I love playing the drums. That is one thing that is easy for me.
But many things are difficult for me, because I have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.I have a hard time making friends. I don’t always remember social rules and I can be inappropriate sometimes, especially when my mom is not around.
The hard thing about having FAS is that sometimes I act like a little kid, sometimes I act like a teenager, and sometimes I act like an adult. The really hard part is that I can never control or predict what level I will be at any time.
That’s kind of scary for me, because I know what the rules are, I know I can get into trouble, but I break the rules anyway, like I’m on a train with no engineer and the brakes don’t work.
I depend on other people to help me stay on the right track. My mom helps me by making sure I am safe all the time, and by teaching me what is important.
She teaches me to be respectful, to ask for help, and to communicate my needs.She teaches me about the dangers of alcohol. She says we can celebrate without drinking, and we can have fun without alcohol. And that nobody ever died from not drinking!
Happy FASD Awareness Day, everyone!
(Watch Johnny’s speech on YouTube: www.youtube.com/trilevelman )
BETTER ENDINGS NEW BEGINNINGS GIFT TO COMMUNITY
$3.00 Off "EACH BOOK!" Coupon
NEW! 3rd Revision Our FAScinating Journey -Keys to Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury - (2012)https://www.createspace.com/3579462
The Whitest Wall (2012) - A Mystery novel
https://www.createspace.com/3497641
Braided Cord (2010) - Liz's adult transition with FASD
https://www.createspace.com/3436934
Online Manual - www.fasday.com
Seminar - Or try our easy, effective, exciting 1½ hour program that walks you
through the morning of Sept.9: http://www.come-over.to/FASDAY/ABCDEFG/
(material from 2002 has excellent ideas)
Follow us through the next 60 days and plan your local or personal project to build awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder - Each One Can Reach One!
Need family support visit www.toolboxparent.com
Need ideas for adults living with challenges of FASD visit www.braidedcord.net
Need information on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders visit www.betterendings.org
Interested in service dog for FASD visit www.thechancerchronicles.com
2 comments:
Thank you for your inspiring speech, John. It give me hope for my sons' futures - they are 4 & 6 now - I hope they grow into wonderful young men like yourself!
E&J's forevermom
Thank you John. I enjoy your gentle presentation and honesty.
My daughter struggles with the same difficulties, but with support I hope she will make the most of adulthood like you.
I would like to share my video blog about how to support children with special needs like FAS in the hope that parents can feel less isolated.
Please have a look:
http://parentingaspecialneedschild.com/blog/
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