WESTLOCK — Helping spread awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) can be as easy as picking up a paint brush.
That’s what Westlock residents and families did when they gathered for a Red Shoes Rock painting event Sept. 10 at the St. Mary School playground.
Red Shoes Rock is a global movement dedicated to raising awareness, fostering understanding and empowering those affected by FASD.
The event was hosted by Healthy Families Healthy Futures and more than 25 children participated.
“It’s the number one leading disability. It’s more common than autism and Down syndrome put together,” said Deonne Dranchuk, FASD/PCAP mentor with Healthy Families Healthy Futures in Westlock. “So creating awareness is why it’s so important …although this is a preventable disability, we can’t prevent it if we don’t know about it.”
Dranchuk said she was inspired by a red shoe rock campaign on social media to help create awareness on FASD and wanted to host a similar event for Westlock residents.
“It’s to create awareness about a disability that has been invisible and give it visibility,” she said. “FASD is a disability that affects the brain. It’s a brain injury.”
In order to diagnose someone with FASD, there is a lot of testing involved and there must be prenatal alcohol exposure confirmation, she noted.
“No amount of alcohol is safe,” said Dranchuk. “Spreading awareness is the number one way to prevent FASD and have the conversation.”
This September also marks the 25th anniversary of FASD awareness.
Seniors, Community and Social Services minister Jason Nixon, issued a statement on international FASD Awareness Day on Sept. 9.
“Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability affecting the brain and body of people who were exposed to alcohol in the womb. It has a profound impact on the lives of individuals, families, caregivers and communities, yet it is preventable.”
Nixon noted that about four per cent of Canadians are living with FASD, including an estimated 174,000 people in Alberta.
One of those Albertans is Westlock resident Nelson Voaklander, who has lived with FASD all his life. He wants to help others living with the disability and recently began an FASD support group on Facebook.
“It’s a group for whatever people need. It’s to meet, support and all that,” said Voaklander, noting it is open to everyone including those who have FASD and those who support others with FASD. “There’s nothing here (in Westlock) for that … I wanted to start a group for years and I finally said let’s do it.
“We call it a disability, but you don’t have to think of it as a disability,” he added.
Dranchuk noted Voaklander’s commitment to raising awareness about FASD and his courage for doing something about it.
“He was also an advocate for FASD, to build support and create awareness. He was gung-ho about building a group to support and to meet other individuals that have FASD,” said Dranchuk, noting the significance of the colour red, in the Red Shoes Rock campaign.
“It isn’t just a colour. It’s a symbol of courage, resilience and advocacy. So when you slip on those red shoes, you’re stepping into the shoes of an individual living with FASD,” said Dranchuk. “Showing your commitment to stand by their side is a powerful statement saying, I see you, I support you and I’m here to make a difference.”
Anyone in need of support, can reach out to Healthy Families Healthy Futures or the Willow Winds Support Network, or visit www.canfasd.ca
