FASD Communities

While out walking this week, I found myself pondering what else we could have done to help Sandy when she was a young adult. Once she turned eighteen, she needed so much emotional support and practical guidance, yet so little was available to her.

Sandy always had a great love of animals. What would it take to establish a self-supporting community with structure and therapy, centered around animal care—doggie day care, grooming, a kennel for overnight boarding of pets? What if Sandy had been able to live in a setting of camaraderie, positive direction, and satisfying, productive work?

Such places are now being developed! In 2011 FASD Communities was founded in Hawaii. This group of parents, social workers, and therapists aims to provide a supportive, self-sustaining working and living center, so that when those affected by FASD grow up, they can participate in a community that understands and supports their needs.

Despite damage to certain parts of the brain, people with fetal alcohol exposure have talents and skills. With care, attention, and supervision they can participate as positive, productive members of society.

They deserve a realistic chance to do so. They deserve the chance to have a life.