“Some people will just see someone as their disability and not as who they actually are. It’s like the saying don’t judge a book by its cover; don’t judge someone by their disability either.”

–Marlee

“Ideally no pregnant person should drink… but we don’t live in an ideal world – so what do we do with the people who are already here, already affected with it (FASD) and challenged by it?”

-Kenny

“Talking prevention is great, but we need to give resources for people with FASD to get help, and give those statistics along with prevention.” 

-Rebecca

“The strategies I’ve developed to make myself a successful adult all came out of recognizing that it wasn’t my brain being lazy but not processing correctly.”

-Stephen

“It (FASD) is sometimes preventable, but sometimes people just don’t know that they’re pregnant and they drink…Some people are addicted, and they can’t stop even though they should.”

-Brenna

“Receiving a proper, accurate diagnosis is the first step in self-advocacy, as it allows individuals to understand their strengths and challenges. This awareness helps them identify and access appropriate supports for success.”

-Laura

“The older I get, the more self-aware I’ve become. When I was younger, I didn’t have a way to think for myself compared to this year. The more I’ve learned about FASD, how others are affected, and what causes it. It’s helped me understand more about myself and what I need to do to prevent any more misunderstandings within myself and for others.”

-Landon

“Midlife with FASD is not a straight path. There are many turns, and often, there are not enough signs to tell you which way to go. It’s like going on a nature hike without a map, no GPS, and nothing except a compass that doesn’t always point North.”

-Carl