‘Shame and blame’: Saskatoon group steps away from stigma of FASD

WATCH: A group took to the streets of Saskatoon on Tuesday to walk back the stigma on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

A Saskatoon group working to correct misconceptions about an often-stigmatized condition — fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) — and on Tuesday the FASD Network brought together dozens of people to carry the message.

“This day means the world to me,” Shana Mohr told the crowd in Kiwanis Park.

Her daughter has FASD, so reducing the stigma around the disease is crucial to her. She was also one of the organizers of the event hosted by the FASD Network.

“There’s a lot of shame and blame associated with FASD, and I will just say that there’s lots of reasons why alcohol could be used during pregnancy. Shame and blame don’t serve a positive purpose in the world of FASD, and compassion and empathy go a long way,” she told CTV News.

FASD refers to a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure. FASD affects individuals across all communities and can result in a range of physical, cognitive, sensory, and behavioral challenges.

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International FASD Awareness Day is held annually on the 9th day of the 9th month, a date designed to emphasize the importance of going alcohol-free for the full 9 months of pregnancy.

Drew Sebesteny is attending for his son, who also has FASD. He’s encouraged to see the shift in thinking about the disorder, which affects about 1.5 million people across Canada.

“People have opened up. They don’t consider it as much as of a disability as maybe it once was. I think it’s really freeing for myself and for him to know that it’s not going to limit his future,” he said.

The event is encouraging for organizers, as this is the largest turnout they’ve had since they started it in Saskatoon three years ago. About 130 people attended the event and walked to show their support.

“It’s just really nice to see a large turnout and to see so many people. I’m glad to be here and to support something that I feel is very important in our community,” Sebesteny says.

FASD has been referred to as a hidden disability because it hasn’t always been openly talked about in the past, but Mohr is hopeful that keeps changing, since so many people are affected.

“In Canada, when you combine the rates of autism, Down’s Syndrome and cerebral palsy, FASD surpasses the rates of those three other disabilities combined,” she said.

Those involved in the walk are taking one more step in the right direction towards making a change for those living with FASD, and all those affected.

By increasing public awareness, the FASD Network seeks to promote prevention, early diagnosis, and improved support for those living with the disorder.