#7 Days To FASDay - You only need one minute

More Ideas for Minute of Reflection

Everyone participating in FAS Day is invited to share in the "Minute of Reflection" 9:09 a.m. on September 9, as it goes around the world.

In this magical moment the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month we want to get out the message that in the nine months of pregnancy, while breastfeeding or planning to conceive, women should not drink alcohol.
In this minute, we also want the world to remember those millions of people around the world who are living with fetal alcohol disorders. If a large bell or carillon is not accessible or appropriate, participants can do many things to observe that special minute in accordance with their own cultural background or religious beliefs.

The Minute of Reflection symbolizes the worldwide circle of community which links all of us who care about FASD, all of us who are working towards prevention, all of us who are trying to help children and adults with fetal alcohol disorders reach their full potential. Here are nine more suggestions for observing the Minute of Reflection. If you have other ideas, please share them with us.

• Alone or with others, sit outside quietly and listen to the birds, or the wind blowing through the trees, or water lapping against the shore of a river or lake. You may want to focus on the wonderful gifts and strengths of the person(s) with FASD in your life.
• Say a prayer or recite a poem appropriate to your beliefs or culture.
• Sing a song or hymn.
• Listen to an excerpt of your favorite music. (Any suggestions?)
• Play a musical instrument, alone, or with fellow musicians, or ring tiny bells and "triangles" as the children of Queen of Apostles School, Toledo, OH did at 9:09 a.m. on September 9, 1999.
• Sit in a circle and share some pure spring water with people you care about.
• Place a long-distance phone call to a special friend who is equally committed to the FASD issue: you could even make it a three-way or teleconference call.

You may find 9:09 a.m. inconvenient and may prefer to mark the Minute of Reflection at 9:09 p.m., and light a candle to symbolize both the flame of your love for individuals living with FASD, and your burning desire to eradicate this preventable birth defect.
Simple silence.
Each person with FASD is different, and those of us who love them respect their differences. Respecting each other while working together is what FASDay is about.

#21 Days To FASDay - Wisdom of Hopi Elders

"We are the ones we've been waiting for..."

is a phrase that reflects the fact that we can
count on only ourselves for leadership.
See The Great River message 

from the Hopi Elders that follows.

The Great River

We have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour.
Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour.
And there are things to be considered.

Where are you living?
What are you doing?
What are your relationships?
Are you in the right relation?
Where is your water?

Know your garden.

It is time to speak your truth:
Create your community.
Be good to each other.
And do not look outside yourself for the leader:
This could be a good time!
There is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid.
They will try to hold onto the shore.
They will feel they are being torn apart and they will suffer greatly.
Know the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, and push off into the river, keep our eyes open, and our head above the water.
See who is in there and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally. Least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey comes to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves!
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary.
All that you do now must be done in a sacred manner... and in celebration.
We are the ones we've been waiting for...

The Elders, Hopi Nation, Oraibi, Arizona

#26 Days To FASDay - Free FASD videos

Special thank you to our New York team of Advocates who prepared this video and to all the children, teens and adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) who offered their pictures to put a FACE on FAS.

Help us "Raise The Standard" for our next generation!




Person First Language from MOFAS - 
this will help you promote awareness honorably to all

Not only must we walk the walk - we must talk the talk.
Yes, person first language takes more space to write and more time to say, but the end result allows for respect in honoring the strengths and abilities of another person.

Watch the MOFAS tutorial and give it a go for all your FASD presentations.


Use Teresa Kellerman's video

in your presentations on Fetal Alcohol to build awareness.

http://www.youtube.com/babybornfree

This is worth watching - very short

Want the facts about alcohol use during pregnancy?

Here they are.

All sources are cited at end of video.

More information available here: www.come-over.to/FASCRC

More videos you can use from YouTube
(search FASD or fetal alcohol on You Tube to review - NOFAS has an excellent new series)




Recovering Hope is an intimate and evocative video about the mothers and families of children who are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). The video, created for viewing by women in recovery and their counselors, is divided into to half-hour episodes to allow time for discussion within a treatment session.

Eight women tell poignant, memorable stories. They speak out about how alcohol use during pregnancy affected their children, how they are learning effective new ways to parent, and how they are recovering hope for the future. Six researchers and clinicians support these stories by explaining the physical, mental, behavioral and learning disabilities associated with FASD and discussing evaluation and intervention services

Need a speaker? Check out the http://www.nofas.org/ Resource Directory for US speakers

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)

Click Here For Our Past 60 Links for a Great Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day!

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

#44 Days To FASDay - A FASWorld Fable

A FASWorld Fable

(To Share at Your FASDay Event from Bonnie and Teresa)


Once upon a time, not too very long ago, Beautiful Blue Butterfly Bonnie flew across the sunny skies from the Nippy North down to the Sultry South, where she met Tucson Turquoise Tutterfly Teresa. They spoke of their butterfly babies and tutterfly troubles, and wistfully whispered of all the other butterfly babies in the world who couldn't fly because their baby butterfly wings could not develop enough for them to fly freely on their own. The baby butterflies were always flying into terrible trouble.

! ! ! ! ! Tutterfly Teresa told Butterfly Bonnie all she knew about broken baby butterflies and their booze-battered brains.

Tiger Butterfly - Book Two
Bootleg Brothers Series
Available September 2013

Butterfly Bonnie shared all she knew about the overwhelming ! obstacles that must be overcome by all the mamas and the papas and their blessed baby butterflies.
Together the two shared their worthy wisdom. They lamented at length.
Butterfly Bonnie said, "Let's save all those baby butterflies!"
Tutterfly Teresa said, "How can we do that? We are only two burned out bedraggled butterflies. We cannot save the world."
To which BB replied, "Oh, we may not save the whole wacky world, but we can save some of the suffering souls trapped with their tattered and torn, worn wings. I have my Big Brainy Butterfly Brian to help me, and Cute Little Clutterfly Colette! And back home in the Nippy North is Nifty Nutterfly Nancy."
TT said, "Well then, that is five of us - ten wings in all. What kind of a flap can five FAS friends make?"
Butterfly Bonnie said, "Have you not heard?
'The oscillation of butterfly wings in Brazil may set off storms in Texas.' "
"Brazil?" exclaimed TT. "I know some terrific tot-tutors in Texas, but I don't know any butterflies in Brazil."
"Oh, but you will! You will! Brazil and beyond." Butterfly Bonnie continued to cheerfully chatter. "If we mobilize and motivate all the other butterflies in the world, just think what storms we could set off! Not just in Texas, but in Tucson and Toledo and Toronto and Everywhere that our butterflies beat their beautiful wings! Why, we might even move mighty mountains."
So Butterfly Bonnie flew back to the Nippy North and stirred up serious storms all over earth space.
And Tutterfly Teresa flew back to the internet and intermitently interrupted inertia all over cyberspace.
Before long there were hundreds of busy butterflies making wonderful waves of awareness, telling their true tales, procuring proper proclamations, mobilizing media, bringing bells a-ringing,
"Nine! Nine! Ninety-Nine!"

And so, air waves announced and reporters revered all the awesome events planned and produced proudly by those sixty successful blessed butterflies on that fine Fall day. Ripples reverberated across the peaceful planet, telling the truth about the broken baby butterflies. Beyond the barriers of ignorance and indifference, the message of mothers and fathers afar:
"Desist the destruction of the delicate development of those wee little wings of the babies we bear. Try not to trample those innocent individuals whose wings cannot wend their way so well. Listen and learn. Don't forget and regret. Beware and take care!'
And they did!

The moral of the story is this...
Never underestimate the power of the pen, the wonders of the web, and the beating of butterfly wings in the wind. Especially esteem the miracles of mothers and daddies who love their little lassies and laddies above all on the earth in this fabulous family called FASWORLD.
And to think it all began with one Beautiful Blue Butterfly... Bonnie! Read thank you messages sent to Butterfly Bonnie Buxton here.

#47 Days To FASDay - Host a mini-event non-alcoholic drink ideas

Organize a Mind Mapping Meeting.

If you have community interest and commitment already and want to move forward, and want to do more than just a one-day media event, then you are ready to follow the Prince George’s Northern Family Health Society model for community action.

If this is too overwhelming, then stick to something simple and easy, like the last idea here:

Host a Mini FASD Awareness Campaign!
This is great for the office - yours or your doctor's - or any reception area that will give you permission. Just a bowl of Snickers mini bars and some FASD Fact Cards are all you need. Details here.

Check out NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINK RECIPES

FEATURE SITE OF THE DAY - KENTUCKY www.kyfasd.org 

This set of words means different things to different people.

To a pregnant woman,

it means that she chooses not to drink for the health of her baby.

To a doctor,

it means sifting through information to come to a correct diagnosis.

To a teacher,

it means learning to look at behaviors in a different way.

To a parent or caregiver,

it means trying new things and reaching out for help.

To a couple planning a pregnancy,

it means thinking ahead and avoiding alcohol.

To a pregnant woman with alcoholism,

it means courage to ask for help.

To a community,

it means responding with compassion, understanding and new eyes.

• Baby Love Activities  BRAND NEW: BABYLOVE PRESENTATION for middle / high school students! (Includes powerpoint with facilitator's notes and two optional video links, and three optional handouts / activities.)                

• Advocacy Guidebooks  These two advocacy guidebooks can be filled out by parents / caregivers, then given to new therapists, teachers, etc. (They are identical, except one references FASD, while the other only mentions "brain differences".)
  All About Me_Brain Differences.pdf (850KB)
  All About Me,_FASD.pdf (852KB)

OTHER GREAT SITES

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration funds the FASD Center for Excellence, a clearinghouse for FASD resources and materials: http://www.fasdcenter.samhsa.gov/index.cfm
• The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is dedicated to eliminating birth defects caused by alcohol consumption during pregnancy and to improving the quality of life for affected families and individuals:    http://www.nofas.org/

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)

Click Here For Our Past 60 Links for a Great Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day!

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

#48 Days To FASDay - Host a pregnant pause

Pregnant Pause
www.fasdtrust.co.uk

The "Pregnant Pause" is those 9 months of pregnancy when you "pause" from drinking alcohol. (It is also advised by some that women trying to conceive should also consider avoiding alcohol, as the baby is most vulnerable during the early weeks.)

But, if you are pregnant, have been drinking and have come across this website and are now in state of panic:

1. To be completely sure your baby is not exposed to any further potential harm, it is best that you do not drink any more alcohol for the remainder of your pregnancy.  Remember that the first 10 days post ovulation the foetus is generally safe as the placental maternal connection has not yet been established. The risk commences once the placental blood flow commences and the foetus is connected to the mother.
2. Stop Worrying - stress is also harmful for your baby - and you. Please speak with your midwife or GP about any concerns you may have, or call our helpline.
3. What to do after Baby arrives….If you have any concerns after your baby is born about any aspect of their health or development, please speak to your health visitor or GP; they are there to help, advise and support you.

Host and Plan a Pregnant Pause event in your community.

This is great fun and involves lots of folks for a fun media event.

In Minnesota, Pregnant Pause is a fun day with parents celebrating pregnancy. Each year the number of events has grown and includes:

• A gift bag of wonderful welcome the new baby supplies
• An opportunity for Dads to feel what is it like to be pregnant.
• A non-alcoholic taste testing with a a contest for creating non-alcoholic drinks, where bartenders mix the drinks, and pregnant women judge the drinks and vote on a winner. The recipes can be shared along with a message about the importance of staying alcohol free during all 9 months of pregnancy.

FREE DRINK RECIPES AT FUN WITHOUT ALCOHOL

Full marketing materials available

Get great gear for your event 
T-shirts, buttons, notebooks 
giftware to give away

Stand in sobriety with a pregnant friend, family member or co-worker for nine months - Friends make a huge difference in support. Everyone can participate in support, love and compassion. Get the gear to support your friend

Host a baby shower in support of a sober free pregnancy -

Host a fun event to build awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)...

Families and communities can consider pulling together a summer pot-luck BBQ of people interested in helping you this year. Mix up some non-alcoholic drinks to celebrate your future event!

Enjoy an Event from the UK - What an easy and great ideas - can be done in schools, communities around the world - Have fun and enjoy!

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)

Click Here For Our Past 60 Links for a Great Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day!

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

#51 Days To FASDa - Pregnancy Dispenser Wins!

WINNING IDEA OF THE WEEK

Pregnancy Dispensers for restaurants and bars - take the test and get results "before you drink"

July 19, 2012   ---   NEW!!! HOT OFF THE PRESS

Pregnancy test dispensers available in Pub 500 restrooms

Healthy Brains for Children hopes to eliminate prenatal exposure to alcohol

By Robb MurrayFree Press Staff Writer

MANKATO — The ladies room at Pub 500 just got a little more, well, practical. In what backers say is a first- of-its-kind service anywhere in the world, a group called Healthy Brains for Children has installed a dispenser for pregnancy tests in the women’s restroom at the downtown Mankato bar.

The goal is obvious.

If a woman knows she’s pregnant, the less likely she’ll be to drink alco­hol, and the less likely it will be that another child will be born with prenatal exposure to alcohol. So why not give a woman the perfect tool to allow her to make the right decision? Healthy Brains for Children and Executive Director Jody Allen Crowe are hoping Pub 500 is just the first of dozens, hundreds, even thousands of locations where pregnancy tests dispensers are installed.

Crowe said....(READ MORE)

 FACEBOOK JODYALLEN CROWE   and visit Healthy Brains for Children website

Marketing materials for your FASDay event

Easy idea for everyone.
Take Ten Awareness Survey Kit

All it takes is a couple people to pull this off - thanks to Teresa Kellerman - FREE and EASY download

CLICK TO GET YOUR FREE TAKE TEN KIT

Includes snicker cards, survey and much more!!
Have fun building awareness.

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)

Click Here For Our Past 60 Links for a Great Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day!

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