September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness month, with the goal of preventing pregnant women from consuming alcohol.
The use of alcohol during pregnancy can have severe lasting impacts on a child, that continue into adulthood.
Sarnia-Lambton has a community FASD Network Committee, which is comprised of 14 agencies working together to increase awareness and reduce stigma.
Amy Burrows from Lambton County Developmental Services said about four per cent of Canadians have FASD.
"This is more than the number of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, and Down Syndrome combined," said Burrows. "FASD is preventable if women and girls have the right supports and if communities take action to promote health and build strengths. People with FASD can and do succeed with the right supports."
Burrows said they offer a number of supports to those living with the disorder.
"We provide training and education to the support network that they are involved in," she said. "We meet them where they're at and have conversations with them about what it is they need throughout their life."
Pathways FASD Family Resource Worker Karen Holland said you might notice people wearing red shoes, or shirts with red shoes on them.
She said the Red Shoes Rock movement was started in 2013 by RJ Formanek, an educator and advocate living with FASD.
"He was trying to educate people," said Holland. "He would wear red Converse with a business suit and give information about FASD. It kind of gave him a feeling of power. He just wanted people to know that there can be success with the right supports for people with FASD."
Holland said there will be campaign lawn signs around the county and posters with facts about FASD in various
businesses and organizations.
City Hall and our Sarnia sign will be lit up red on September 10.
There is also a BBQ on September 11 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Point Edward Ex-Servicemen’s Club on Michigan Ave. with information about FASD as well as an activity area for families and some prize draws.
According to Health Canada, a person with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder may act impulsively and have difficulties handling money, learning how to tell time, and keeping up with classroom learning.
They may not not understand consequences, be unfocused and easily distracted, or forget how to do something they've done before.
Someone with the disorder may also experience problems with their vision, kidneys, hearing, heart and bones.
Health Canada said IQ is not an indicator of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
A small number of people are born with certain facial features because of the disorder.
These features include a thin upper lip, small eyes or shorter distance between the eyes, and little or no groove or ridge between the nose and upper lip.
You can visit the Pathways FASD Resource Hub Facebook page, or www.pathwayscentre.org for more information.