All week I will be working on FASD awareness graphics for FASD Awareness day on September 9th.  My oldest daughter was diagnosed with FASD and it is critically important to me to spread the word about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

For those who don’t know, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) describe the range of effects and permanent birth defects that can result from the consumption of alcohol during pregnancy.  Alcohol consumption can cause a wide variety of issues – including (but not limited to) permanent brain damage, abnormal facial features, learning and intellectual disabilities, inhibited growth and motor skills, physical defects, emotional and social problems, attention issues and even death.  There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption – even low levels have been shown to cause issues in recent studies.

Here is today’s “minimalist” FASD awareness graphic!

 

I know that this can be a hot button issue for some individuals and I welcome any respectful comments or questions.  I think that it is important to open an honest discussion.  I don’t have all the answers and I will never claim to – but I can tell you what it is like for my family and I who will have to deal with the consequences of prenatal alcohol exposure for the rest of our lives.

Thanks for reading and please feel free to share any of my FASD images on your website, blog or other social media platform.