Bringing awareness to FASD in the Lakeland

It’s a disorder that affects four per cent of Canadians, more than autism, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome combined. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is a prevalent condition that is preventable, which is why the Lakeland Centre for FASD is hoping to draw awareness to it on Friday. 

There are events based in several communities across the Lakeland on Friday, coinciding with International FASD Awareness Day.

Whether it’s a Mocktail Challenge in Cold Lake, Awareness Walk in Lac La Biche, or one of the myriad of barbeques happening that afternoon, there is lots to take part in, says Lakeland Centre for FASD executive director Lisa Murphy. 

‘We do what we can to support our community. So spreading awareness is definitely that first touch point, I believe, and then providing the support to those who require it,” said Murphy. 

“Each person with FASD does have both strengths and challenges and will need special support to help them succeed with many different parts of their daily lives.” 

For 22 years, local clients have been able to receive support from the Lakeland Centre with diagnosis and intervention services. FASD is a lifelong disability that affects both the brain and body of those who are prenatally exposed to alcohol.

However, prevention is perhaps their biggest goal by getting out into the community. 

“A really big key takeaway, when thinking about FASD Day is that women needs support. We know that there’s no safe kind, or amount, or time of alcohol during pregnancy. So it’s really important to support women in any way that you can. Everybody — partners, families, friends and the community — have a huge role to play in achieving healthy pregnancies,” said Murphy. 

The date of September 9th was chosen as the annual awareness day because it’s the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, representing the length of a pregnancy.

Activities in Kikino, Elizabeth Metis Settlement, and Frog Lake will kick off on Thursday; Kehewin, Cold Lake First Nation, Bonnyville, St. Paul, Lac La Biche, and Cold Lake will have events on Friday.

The Mocktail Challenge in Cold Lake sees teams test their mixology to try and create the best alcohol free beverage. The idea being that pregnant women when out at a party can still drink something fun and not feel the pressure to drink.

“Having a mocktail is a nice, fun alternative to drinking alcohol. You feel like you’re not just stuck having a glass of water or pop, you can still have something fancy and feel like you’re part of the part of the events,” said Murphy. 

“This year, we thought it would be really fun in Lac La Biche this to try the walk. There was lots of positive feedback about doing our awareness this way. We’ll still have mocktails provided at during the walk as well, so people can have a taste.” 

The Lakeland Centre for FASD invites you to the myriad of activities closest to you to raise awareness for an important cause.

You can’t do any of this work without my amazing staff, but also the community because it’s that information that we put out there and the community members share it as well. We really wouldn’t be able to do what we do without any of you.”