My husband and I are the parents of four adult children who grew up on a farm in Saskatchewan. Our youngest daughter joined our family by adoption as a two-year old toddler. We enjoyed and loved our beautiful little native daughter. She was friendly, outgoing, and well adjusted and she soon bonded with her siblings, parents and grandparents.

One of her many challenges was living with a rare brittle bone disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta. As a child, it was very difficult to limit and supervise her physical activities. She suffered numerous fractures, surgeries and long periods of hospitalization. Now that she is twenty-nine, she has outgrown this disease. One leg is much shorter than the other, so she still uses crutches to walk long distances.

After high school she sought more independence and disturbing things began to take place. Drug overdoses, theft, lying, alcohol, and drug abuse, bad relationships, and assaults became part of her lifestyle. Although we sought and received a lot of professional help, not all of it proved helpful. We are often blamed for enabling and overprotecting her. We have experienced a lot of fear, anger, and despair. Her behavior causes many feelings of rejection. However, medications for her depression, A.D.D., and emotional outbursts have made a difference.

When she was in her mid-twenties, she received a diagnosis of partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome from Dr. Pat Blackly of Saskatoon. This explained her impulsive behavior and inability to manage money, poor judgment. and learning disabilities. Because she appears fairly capable, it is difficult for professionals, caregivers and friends to understand the limitations she faces due to prenatal brain damage.

In spite of her many challenges she has accomplished many good things, including volunteering in a nursing home and at a library, where she held a job for two years. In spite of learning disabilities, she managed to complete high school and, with much help and encouragement, also took piano lessons and a short computer course. I hope and pray that she will be able to reach her potential and use her talents. People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (this is a new umbrella term) need structure, an external brain and support throughout their lives. Therefore, our role as parents, professionals and society is to provide support, guidance, and understanding to many individuals with an invisible disability (FASD) caused by prenatal brain damage. We are thankful for God's grace and strength in our difficult times.

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