#11 Days To FASDay - Tie Some Knots

Let's Knot to be Silent
INSTRUCTIONS TO TIE YOUR OWN FASKnots

By Bonnie Buxton,
author Damaged Angels
co-founder International FASDay
Re-printed from December ICEBERG 2008

In January of 1999, while digging out from a Toronto snowstorm, my husband Brian Philcox and I realized that September 9, 1999 (9-9-99), would present an opportunity to inform the world that during the nine months of pregnancy, alcohol is dangerous to the baby.

Within 24 hours, Teresa Kellerman of Tucson, Arizona, had contributed her creativity and Internet genius by encouraging volunteers in seven countries and 11 time zones to participate in the first International FAS Awareness Day.

Because every ribbon colour had been taken by other causes, Brian and I spent several hours developing the FASKnot symbol in honor of the first book about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Michael Dorris’s "The Broken Cord."

Ten years later, the events continue and now we challenge FASD advocates to take advantage of 2009 to build awareness all year long, particularly on 09-09-09. This year in Canada, FASDay events included a major conference, some candlelight vigils, “mocktail” competitions, breakfasts, luncheons, a play, and one brave woman with ARND speaking out for the first time to a group of university students. Many of these events brought media attention to FASD, building awareness in the community.

Join the movement to Build Better Baby Brains Let's Raise the Standard

Jodee

#19 Days To FASDay - Toolbox Parent Support

Visit Toolbox Parent for support and ideas

http://www.toolboxparent.com/

Need quick ideas to help with a complex child. Stop by and visit an informative site to bridge understanding, make connections with families of high risk and special needs individuals and professionals. Deb Fjeld, Minnesota Post-Adoption Parent Liason and Jodee Kulp invite you to visit our new site designed to build collaborative efforts between caregivers and professionals.

What is a Toolbox Parent?

A toolbox parent is a parent who is willing to reach out and discover new ideas and strategies to work with a difficult child. If you are struggling with behaviors in your home, we hope that you can find something here to help you.

We need power tools - consider joining our team!

Power Tools: Regionally, meet our Power Professionals. This section represents some of the best professional minds in the business of “kids”. Learn about their specialties. If you are a professional skilled in working with REALLY complicated children with neurodiversity issues please contact Jodee or Deb

#22 Days To FASDay - What One Person Can Do?

What can Only One person do?

From Deb Fjeld - a mom of four children with multiple complex issues and webweaver of www.toolboxparent.com

I was feeling frustrated the other day when I was listening to myself complain about the recent funding cuts going through our state. I realized that I have become so obsessed with trying to find grant moneys for programs that I have lost my focus like I had lost my paying job.

I had the "I'm Only One Person" Syndrome.
I felt that if I don't find grant money for programs, that nothing good can happen and I can't make a difference.

Then, I re-framed my thoughts. (My favorite thing to do next rationalization)

What can one person do to help a family who is struggling?

One person can (without a lot of money or no money which we sometime have):

• be a mentor for a child
• offer support to another parent who is struggling
• create a blog to support other parents
• phone a friend who has tough kids and say I appreciate what you do
• operate a web site to help others
• bring a meal to a sick friend
• offer respite for a family who needs a break (even an hour makes a difference!)
• pray for another who needs help
• join a list serve and share ideas
• call a church, school, government center to ring some bells on 09.09
• get a little assembly together on your county courthouse on 09.09 to talk about FASD
• hold a pregnant pause event at a local restaurant, hotel or bar
• send an encouraging email to one, or all on your email list
• write a book!
• invite a few girlfriends out for coffee and relax!
• read our articles on http://www.toolboxparent.com/
• join a disccussion, ask a question, post a great idea to help professionals and parents of complex kids and intense adults at http://toolboxparent.ning.com/
• write a review for an author who raises tough kids - your input really counts
• HAVE FUN FUN FUN - pay attention to the little miracles every day
• start a 501c3 (then you add a few board members and maybe get a grant)

These are things that don't need a grant.
These are things that make an actual difference in another's life, without costing any money.

I have noticed, though, that I receive much more in return than the effort I gave out.

What else can one person do to help another?? Any ideas we would love your comments.

Deb Fjeld and Jodee Kulp

Look what three parents with a single idea pulled off ten years ag0 and it is still continuing to ring our warnings.

FASDay 1999 began in Auckland, New Zealand, where "Minute of Reflection" bells rang at 9:09 a.m., at Mt. Albert Methodist church. Then it moved to Adelaide, Australia, and then to South Africa, where at 9:09 a.m., Cape Town volunteers gathered to hear the War Memorial Carillon that rang when Nelson Mandela was released from prison. Volunteers in Italy, Germany and Sweden held events -- and then FAS Day crossed the Atlantic. Volunteers staged events and bells and carillons rang across Canada and the U.S. The westernmost activity was the community breakfast on the tiny island of Kitkatla, B.C., near the Queen Charlotte Islands, where the village bell rang at 9:09 a.m. followed by prayers in the native tongue by village elders. We missed a few international time zones.

We did it all on $100 in donations, plus thousands of hours of volunteer labor.

It was a labor of love and passionate commitment. We generated as much media attention as a million-dollar public relations campaign, and we made many new friends and supporters in the process. Many women of childbearing age learned for the first time that no amount of alcohol in pregnancy is safe.

All of us knew that in one magic minute, we really did begin to change the world.

Yeah, but...
What can one person do to fight FASD?"

You'd be surprised -- if he or she is working with a world community of people equally committed to eliminating this tragic and totally preventable disorder!

#43 Days To FASDay - Write some letters

Write a Letter to the President or Your Country's Leader! Write to your mayor or the university president in your community

Write a Letter to the President
or Your Country's Leader!

This is a great summer family fun project...
Everyone can "make some noise" -
artwork, postcards and note cards are great from kids

Dear President Obama,
Let me tell you about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or FASD,
.....go kids you can do it!!!
As part of International FASD Awareness Day,
please join us in this easy, free activity
to help raise awareness of FASD at the highest
levels of our government.

This idea originated with Tami Eller, a member of our local FASD Council.
Cheri Scott, FASD Family Support Project - Stone Soup
http://www.stonesoupgroup.org/

A knowledge of the path cannot be substituted for putting one foot in front of the other.
M.C. Richards

Dear President Obama...

Let me tell you about FASD...

International FASD Awareness Day Letter Writing Campaign.

Did you know that President Obama reads 10 letters each night written by everyday Americans? Imagine if every letter the President read was written by someone whose life is impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

If everyone affected by FASD writes to the President prior to September 9th then the probability of him opening even one letter regarding FASD is incredible. The more letters, the higher the probability that all ten letters he reads will be written by those affected by FASD.

• Are you a parent of a child with FASD?
• Are you an adult with FASD?
• Doesyour sibling have FASD?
• Do you teach a child or an adult with FASD?
• Are you a grandparent of a child with FASD?

For everyone person born affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol, everyone who loves that individual lives are also affected.

Join us in educating President Obama regarding the most prevalent of all birth defects: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Join us in asking President Obama to ring a bell at 9:09 am on September 9 to recognize the importance of Nine Months of an Alcohol Free Pregnancy.

Starting the week of September 1 send a letter to President Obama telling him your story of how Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders have affected yourself and those you love.

Send President Obama a letter to at:
President Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Must be mailed by August 17th!
OR
Send President Obama an email by filling out the form at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact

Talking Points

The Facts:

• Fetal alcohol exposure is an international and national crisis
• Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes permanent brain damage
• Prenatal exposure to alcohol is the leading cause of mental retardation
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are 100% and easily preventable - simply no alcohol consumption during pregnancy
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are a life long disability - from cradle to grave
• More babies are born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders than Autism Spectrum Disorders or Downs Syndrome
• There is no safe amount of alcohol to drink during pregnancy
• It is estimated that more than half of the prison population is affected by FASD
• Prenatal exposure to alcohol costs the United States millions of dollars a year to provide services to individuals affected by a FASD
• Early identification and intervention has huge impacts on the reduction of mental health concerns and behaviors resulting in legal intervention
• Even with early identification and intervention, individuals with a FASD will need to lifelong supports

The Daily Realities of Living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
As a Parent:

• Struggles with you have raising your child with FASD
• Struggles you have explaining the invisible brain damage to others who deal with your child* Struggle finding appropriate services for your child
• The lesson you have learned in your journey of raising a child affected by FASD
• Your dreams for your child

As an Adult affected by FASD

• Struggles you had to overcome in your lifetime
• Strengths and talents you have
• Accommodations that enable you to be successful

As a Profession working with individuals affected byFASD

• What systematically is working for your clients
• What systematically is not working for your clients
• Struggles your clients face on a daily basis
• Struggles you face on a daily basis in obtaining resources for your clients
• What resources are necessary for your clients to be successful

What needs to happen

• Proclamation by the President of the United States recognizing September 9th as International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day and the importance of abstaining from alcohol during pregnancy
• Ask him to ring a bell at 9:09 am on September 9 in recognition of the individuals affected by FASD.
• Diagnostic teams in all 50 states to facilitate and identify early diagnosis and intervention
• More resources toward prevention and early intervention

#46 Days To FASDay - Join or create an easy survey

Conduct a Simple Survey or Quiz
Easy to do...

Invite the general public to the 

Million Mind March FASD Awareness 
Link the quiz and invite friends to answer

• How often can a pregnant woman drink alcohol? 

Teen Survey -

• At your high school
• At the local mall
• At your sports events

Conduct a FASD Teen Survey in your community. Just find one teen who knows 20 other teens, and you will be participating in a nation-wide survey. All this takes is a $5 donation to the teen who conducts the survey to pay for 20 mini candy bars.

The survey can be downloaded here.