CanFASD series on FASD FAQ's Part 2

The second CanFASD video which is located in CanFASD's Foundations in FASD online course, Dr. Ana Hanlon-Dearman answers the question “If we want to lower the prevalence of FASD, what are the conversations we should be having?”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2JFVSonH-I&list=PLBhdT-nylDEM80KSG-J4vmfyE5L8q7WwW&index=3&t=0s 

Dr. Hanlon-Dearman starts by speaking about how we are currently determining FASD prevalence.  Without a current tracking mechanism such as an OHIP code to determine general prevalence, we are dependent upon specific research projects targeting certain sectors of our society.  We do know 3-4% of children ages 5-7 in the 905 area have FASD https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/05/2018-Popova-WHO-FASD-Prevalance-Report.pdf. We know about 10-18% of inmates have FASD and 3-11% of children in care have FASD https://canfasd.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/35/2018/08/Prevalence-2-Issue-Paper-FINAL.pdf and we know every sector of society where alcohol is being consumed has the potential of children being born with FASD..

Dr. Hanlon-Dearman goes on to speak about how we need to support women in our society to have healthy pregnancies.  The key point she makes is that we need to do more than just education.  We have reached a point in our society where most people know drinking alcohol during pregnancy is dangerous.  However, without a strong inclusive community and support, we are putting women at risk.  The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres understand this and are doing something about it.  Through their Nutrition Program, they are supporting their young women with a sense of belonging, acceptance and healthy options.  As demonstrated through their report, it is successfully lowering FASD prevalence among their population.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B1sCiqNTFMNyNlR6dnVfNnlKY2hFWWwza1ZlNDd3LUVlb3RJ/view?usp=sharing

The Rural FASD Support Network is doing the same.  By offering access to community supports, providing a safe and compassionate forum for discussion, respecting where everyone is at in their personal journey, giving potential solutions to current challenges, and having fun together, we truly are an inclusive community consisting of 87 families, 376 members of both adults and children with FASD and their caregivers, support staff, service providers, fellow advocacy groups and researchers.

However, our largest obstacle to building community is a lack of supported housing.   Based on feedback from our local partners of service providers, municipalities, and contractors, we believe a community of tiny homes where seniors, young families, and individuals with disabilities live together with a community building where training, events, medical support and daily living needs are provided is the model we should be pursuing similar to the Markham model.

An inclusive and assessible community that uses all the strengths of their residents to provide for their needs creates that strong mental health and sense of belonging.  It encourages family and community development rather than isolating people in their domiciles.  We believe the rural model of helping our neighbors is the environment where our adults with FASD excel.  We believe having face to face conversations is always better than texting through phones.  We believe the best marketing is word-of-mouth.  And we believe that when you combine people together for a common cause, there is no limit to what can be accomplished.

This is why the Rural FASD Support Network is thrilled to be sponsored by MPP Steve Clark to come to Queen’s Park for lunch on Monday, Feb. 24 from 10am to 1pm in Room 230.  We also thank MPP Monique Taylor, MPP Randy Pettapiece, and MPP France Gelinas for already confirming their attendance.  You will have the opportunity to meet 21 individuals with FASD from ages 3 to 36 as well as their caregivers, support staff and service providers.  We are also being joined by Dr. James Reynolds, Dr. Kaitlyn McLachlan, and several other service providers.  We are also available to meet privately afterwards.  To confirm your attendance for catering purposes, please reply to ruralfasd@gmail.com.