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Promoting FASD awareness 10 years later
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This year marks the 10th anniversary of the first International FASD Day Walk and 36 people locally participated in the Sept. 9 walk. Left-right are Angel Chalifoux, Charlene McLay, Whisper Whitford and Neil Forsyth leading the group.
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Gabrielle Porter, 13, was one of the 36 people participating in the walk which began at the Church of the Nazarene.
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Mac Olsen
for South Peace News
It has been 10 years since the first International FASD Day walk and residents continue to raise awareness about the debilitating condition.
Late in the afternoon of Sept. 9, Charlene McLay led 35 people from the Church of Nazarene on a walk by E.W. Pratt High School, the Town of High Prairie office, High Prairie Elementary School and back to the church. Drivers honked their horns in support of the walkers.
“It’s just amazing we had so much support this year,” says McLay, the program manager for the Northern Association for FASD office in High Prairie.
The event was a fundraiser for the organization, with $245 raised as of Sept. 10 and more pledge sheets outstanding. The proceeds will go to FASD programs. McLay thanks all who supported the walk.
Neil Forsyth, the association’s president, also appreciates the community support.
“This has been a wonderful day,” says Forsyth. “We’ve had tremendous support from the community.”
FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Don Porter’s daughter, Gabrielle Porter, is impacted in her everyday life and he appreciates all the support the association provides.
“In the past, we’ve fostered FASD children for many years. We appreciate the support this group provides,” he says.
Porter also says those living with it require a lifetime of community supports, but the provincial government recognizes the need and is provided funding.
However, for McLay, the work is never done. She is developing a plan for adult FASD diagnosis and recruiting for the team. The plan should be ready before Christmas.
She is also developing a respite worker training program and there is a parent/child assistance program for high-risk mothers now.
For more information, please call McLay at 780-523-3699.
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