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| Annie and Zack |
8 years ago when we moved into our home, Aleena and Randy Birch and their two adopted children brought us a plate of cookies and we became instant friends. Their beautiful children had special needs and I have been happy to provide respite care for the family pretty much ever since. It has been a very special thing to have them in our home. Over the years I have seen firsthand the individual obstacles they struggle with. Their mother, Aleena has graciously agreed to write a guest post to us moms, to help us understand what Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is and how harmful and PREVENTABLE it can be. As mothers and human beings it is our duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Aleena, you are a rock. I am in awe of your ability to stay strong and your determination to fight for these kids and others who suffer from FACS:
Before the adoption we were given limited information about each child. They were, and are, beautiful siblings, then 2 and 3 years old. We had seen pictures of them but it wasn’t until I held them in my arms for the first time and looked into their little faces that I knew something wasn’t quite right.
They had some facial features that weren’t evident in the photos. I didn’t know what it meant, but it troubled me immediately. I had 3 biological children and the thought of mothering young siblings who may have special needs, beyond those that any child who had spent their early years in an orphanage, would have felt daunting to me.
In spite of my concerns, I felt like these children were mine and no matter what challenges they might have, I would not leave them behind. I knew their transition from orphanage to our family would be hard for them, but I was in no way prepared for how intense the situation would become and how their yet undiagnosed birth defects would add to the challenges of the transition.
As months turned into years and we visited many doctors and specialist we were advised that our new son and daughter had what was then referred to as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome - we had never even heard of it.
Although we have had many joyous times watching out little ones enjoy new experiences, my husband and I have by necessity become very knowledgeable about the affects alcohol consumption has on a developing fetus.
Three years ago, we came to realize that we were no longer safe in our own home due our son’s violent behaviors. Upon the advise of his doctors at the University Psychiatric hospital where he had spent over 2 months, we made the heart breaking decision, to have our son, barely 17, moved into a secure group home where he could be supervised.
On that day I vowed I would do everything I could to educate others on the perils of consuming alcohol while pregnant. I became and active member of the Utah Fetal Alcohol Coalition. While I do not speak for the coalition, I have spoken at numerous events and shared information that I hope will save, even one child, from having to live the more often than not tragic life, that my children, particularly my son has lived.
September 9 is Fetal Alcohol Awareness Day. The 9th day of the 9th month was chosen to represent the 9 months of pregnancy and the time during which a pregnant woman must avoid consuming alcohol. While my children were born in Russia, it is estimated that over 45,000 babies are born in the US with alcohol related birth defects.
The names given to the variety of birth defects caused by the mother’s use of alcohol during pregnancy include: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD), Fetal Alcohol Symptoms (FAS), Fetal Alcohol Exposure (FAE) , and most recently Alcohol Related Neurological Disorder (ARND). Simply explained, they all refer to damage, usually to the child’s brain, cause by a mother’s use of alcohol. Many times the damage is caused before there woman even knows she is pregnant!!
Alcohol affects more newborns every year than Downs Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, and Sudden infant Death syndrom combined! When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it passes through the placenta and is absorbed by the unborn child. Alcohol impaired children often look normal, and tend to go unnoticed by the schools, usually being referred to as disruptive or retarded. Children with alcohol related problems often have multiple handicaps, including mental retardation, facial changes, brain changes, learning and behavioral problems, stunted growth, low birth weight, heart defects fetal death, and increased risk for abuse of substances, etc. The list goes on and on. Some may have normal IQs, but very poor behavior, subtle and multiple learning disabilities, lack attention, poor memory, poor judgment and difficulties in verbal reasoning/auditory processing. Many times these children and adults are mis-diagnosed as having ADD, ADHD, and other similar problems. Such children will often require life long special medical, familial and community assistance to maximize their potential
Alcohol is a solvent. It raises havoc on the unborn child’s brain. The tragedy is that alcohol is not only the number one cause of mental retardation in the United States, but IT IS COMPLETELY preventable!!
There is no known safe amount of alcohol use during pregnancy and no known time during pregnancy when alcohol use is safe. Alcohol can do more damage to the developing embryo and fetus than illegal drugs - even heroin and meth!
All drinks with alcohol can (and most likely will) harm an unborn child. Unfortunately some Doctors still say that a glass of wine at the end of the day is fine for a pregnant woman, but even though the woman may barely feel the effects, the fetus will be deluged in alcohol and may never fully recover from that single drink. To put it simply, women should not drink alcohol if they are planning a pregnancy, not avoiding pregnancy, at any time during pregnancy, or while breast feeding. If you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, no alcohol is the ONLY choice. If you drank before you realize the dangers, stop now and see your doctor.
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| Beautiful Annie |
This is a special girl, to say the very least a quirky girl. Born to a mother who consumed alcohol during her pregnancy, my adopted daughter struggles everyday to do even the simplest of normally routine tasks. She'll never be able to drive a car, live alone, list goes on and on. You'd be surprised what her brain hasn't allowed her to yet learn. Sure, she has mastered some life skills and she may yet catch on to some things. You know what I would give for my Annie and my son, her biological brother Zack, a chance at something resembling a normal life?
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| Handsome Zack |
PLEASE- if you know anyone who is trying to get pregnant or is pregnant share this message. You don't have to be a drunk for your unborn baby to be irreversibly affected.
Sincerily,
Aleena Birch
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