Are you an individual living with FASD? We would love to hear your story.
FASD United is filming meaningful interviews featuring individuals living with FASD sharing their own stories in their own words.
Why Share?
Everyone has their own unique life experience. We like to say, “If you’ve met one person with FASD, you have met one person with FASD.” The more experiences shared, the more effectively we’ll be able to show the public that the FASD community is diverse, genuine, and full of incredible individuals.
The most common type of feedback we hear from people who have shared their personal stories with us in the past is that sharing their story helped them to feel empowered and seen, that it felt validating and encouraging to know that others are listening and responding to their stories.
This is your story and life experience, the decision to share it is totally up to you.
You can inform research and advocacy.
FASD United works to support the living experience of individuals with FASD and to give them a platform to share their stories as a way of fulfilling our mission to empower people living with FASD and prenatal substance exposure to educate the public.
Our goal is to amplify and empower the voices of individuals living with FASD across the lifespan and share these stories and experiences in their own words.
Get Started:
Meet Your Interviewers
Andy Kachor
Communications Director
Sophie Sissi
Media Director
Step-by-Step Guide to Participate:
*For Q&A about Glimpses of FASD, scroll to the bottom of the page!*
1. Book A Meeting
First, complete a simple form to select a date and time with Andy or Casidee.
Select a 15-minute meeting to record a video with our team. All filming will happen on Zoom. FASD United will edit the final video to about 1-2 minutes.
Once you book the meeting, a Zoom link will be automatically sent to you in a confirmation email, which you can add to your calendar. The interview questions and media release form will be included in the details of this email.
*You will receive email reminders about your meeting as it approaches.
2. Prepare
Sign the media release form to ensure we have your consent to record you and publish your interview.
Before your interview, please look at the questions we will ask so you know what to expect and can get a sense of what you would like to share.
Refer to FASD United’s Media Training Guide
Check your computer’s settings for video, audio, and Zoom. For detailed tips and guides for Zoom, click here.
*Once you book your meeting, you will have access to the interview questions.
3. Meet with Us!
Once you join the recorded Zoom meeting, our team will greet you and explain the process.
The meeting will be recorded, and you will respond to the questions and share your story and experience of living with FASD.
Since the videos will be edited, don’t worry about getting everything “perfect.” You are always welcome to say something again if you’d like to use different words or think of something else you’d like to add.
*We will send you your Glimpse before publishing, and you will give it the go-ahead.
Following your participation, you will be provided with a gift card to say thank you for your time and effort.
Q&A:
What are these “Glimpses of FASD”?
They’re a great way for the public to learn more about FASD and what it’s like to live with it, in just a few minutes. They’re also an opportunity for people to hear directly from people living with FASD and better understand and appreciate the living experience of FASD.
Your story can inform research happening on FASD and PAE. These Glimpses of FASD are funded by the Centers for Disease Control National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
Why is FASD United doing this?
FASD United is especially interested in highlighting the successes, strengths, and achievements of people with FASD, as well as challenges. In sharing these positive stories through a strengths-based lens, our goal is to counter the harmful effects of stigma and bias. The objective of these video shorts is to raise awareness of FASD, its impact and prevalence, with the goal of empowering the FASD community to be more recognized and supported throughout society so that FASD is given a seat at the table where decisions are made.
How will my video be used?
The purpose of these video shorts is to educate systems of care and the public on FASD. It is our hope that by sharing your story, the public will gain a valuable tool for research, policy, and education that will ultimately improve the quality of life for you and others living with FASD. We want you to be in control of how you participate in these videos and to be an active decision-maker throughout the process.
With your permission, your video will:
- Inform research into the experiences and perspectives of individuals living with FASD
- Become part of the FASD United Media & Communications Hub
- Be made available to the public on our website and through our social media channels
- Be used for academic and scientific research and data analysis
Who can participate?
Anyone who lives with FASD or prenatal substance exposure is welcome to participate. You don’t need to have a formal diagnosis or any prior experience. We want to hear from everyone, from children to adolescents to adults.
To fully reflect the neurodiversity of the FASD community, we need to showcase stories across diverse backgrounds, geographies, ethnicities, and life experiences. Minors under age 18 are welcome to be included and must have parent or guardian permission.
Please let us know if you would be more comfortable having a support person with you during the interview so that we may accommodate this. To keep the video’s focus on your experience and words, we ask that support people be off-camera and behind the scenes.
Has FASD United made videos like these before?
Yes! FASD United has used video and storytelling to feature the living experience of FASD for many years now.
FASD United (then NOFAS) launched a YouTube channel in 2010 with a wide variety of videos, including video interviews of individuals living with FASD, with people from across the FASD spectrum, including children, adolescents, and adults from diverse backgrounds.
In addition to video, FASD United has featured personal stories of individuals with FASD through our series of written articles and blog posts spotlighting interviews and profiles of people with FASD.
Learn More About FASD Living Experience:
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