Category: Awareness Observances
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Embracing Potential with Dr. Eric Flake: National Developmental Disabilities Month
March marks a significant time of recognition and advocacy as we celebrate National Developmental Disabilities Month. This annual observance provides a platform to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and celebrate the unique abilities and contributions of individuals with developmental disabilities. Throughout the month, communities, organizations, and individuals come together to foster understanding, support, and opportunities. To…
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National Caregiver’s Day: Interview with FASD United’s Laura Bousquet
As we close out February, we want to celebrate National Caregiver’s Day, February 16th. To do this, we celebrate Laura Bousquet, an extraordinary caregiver and advocate in the FASD community. With deep dedication, Laura navigates both her son’s journey with FASD and her own recent diagnosis, offering a unique dual perspective on the challenges and…
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FASD and American Heart Health Month
In February, we acknowledge American Heart Month and the connection between FASD and heart health. There are a handful of physical birth defects that can be associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, including vision, hearing, kidney, and bone problems.1 However, heart defects can be one of the most worrisome for individuals, parents, and medical professionals. A…
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Celebrating Women in Medicine: Interview with Adiaha Spinks-Franklin
For those of you who are unaware- It’s National Women Physician’s Day, February 3rd! This day celebrates the accomplishments and contributions of women in medicine. Specifically, it honors the birthday of Elizabeth Blackwell, who, in 1849 became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. This observance also serves as an…
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How Dry is Your Dry January?
“Dry January” can be inspiring and daunting, and just like the first month of the year, it can be the start of something new. Dry January began as a campaign by Alcohol Change UK, a British charity working to reduce harm caused by alcohol use. The effort started as a fundraiser for treatment centers but quickly…
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The Importance of Self-Care for Individuals with FASDs: ALC FASD Changemakers
A new 13-week social media series begins with the meaningful help of the ALC FASD Changemakers. This collaboration leads to the highly anticipated Vancouver Conference 2024, where both organizations will meet in Seattle. The series is about self-care, which can be defined as numerous different things depending on the person you ask. Instead of promoting…
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January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month!
Welcome to 2024, a new year of information, excitement, and growth. However, January’s awareness month hasn’t changed- It’s National Birth Defects Awareness Month. FASD impacts as many as 1 in 20 individuals, and according to the CDC, 1 in 7 pregnancies (14%) are alcohol-exposed. Birth defects like FASD are structural changes present at birth that…
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National Foster Care Month 2023: A Powerful Interview with Arnold Eby of The NFPA
Welcome to May! FASD United would like to highlight an important appreciation month that has strong ties to the community- National Foster Care Month! In celebration, an interview was conducted with NFPA Executive Director and experienced foster/adoptive parent, Arnold Eby. The National Foster Parent Association is a national-level nonprofit organization with a mission to be…