Send us a Text Message.
What picture comes to mind when you think of a birth mom of a child with prenatal alcohol exposure? The fact is whatever you thought, there is no one version. There are thousands of stories of birth moms. But the one thing I do know is any birth mom I have ever met has never wanted to intentionally hurt their child, and today’s guest is no exception.
Niki Marshall had a troubled youth. As a result, she was addicted to drugs and alcohol at 13, kicked out of school at 14, and living on her own at 15. All the time seeking to self-medicate an undiagnosed mental health disorder. Eventually settling into a relationship, being told she nor her partner could have children, she found out on a visit to a doctor she was 4 months pregnant. We talk about what that was like for her when she found out and what she did immediately, as well as:
“I don’t feel like professionals or anyone broaches the subject of drinking during pregnancy if you don’t look a certain way. It’s not okay because I didn’t look the part.”
As one of the alumni of our Caregiver Kickstart online course for FASD caregivers, I have known Niki now for almost two years and watched her incredible transformation. She certainly is not the media depiction of a birth mom – nor are the majority. She has defied her own odds and carved a life for her and her son. She will be the first to admit that the grief and loss are ever-present but that you have to be “more graciously accepting the successes that happen all the time that you forget about or you don’t notice because of what you lost.”
Let me know what you think of this incredible transformation of one determined bad a$$ birth mom to beat the odds and the stereotypes. I know Niki will continue to use her transformative story and voice to educate.
Support the Show.
#037 Aliy Brown: Providing Supports in Scotland and Beyond
#036 The Dougherty Dozen Doesn’t Quit
#035 Amy Patterson: Solutions for Siblings
#033 Sara Messelt: Arming FASD Advocates
#032 Dr. Jacquie Pei: Towards Healthy Outcomes: A Brand New FASD Intervention Model
#031 Annette Kunzman - A Moth to a Flame or Helping Teens Transition
#030 Sheila Burns: Turning Regret into Momentum
#029 Ali McCormick: FASD Service (Dogs) with a Smile
#028 Rebecca Tillou: Perseverance Pays Off
#027 Paula Schuck Shares Tips for Teens and FASD
#026 Dr. Jeffrey Wozniak: A Conversation About Choline
#025 Jodee Kulp: The 40 Year Parenting Plan
#024 Dr Vanessa Spiller: Little Things Make a Big Difference with FASD
#023 Barb Clark talks FASD, Rages and Trauma Informed Care
#022 Matthew Pakozdy Winning With FASD Supports
#021 Colette Philcox, From the Streets to Success
#020 Brian Philcox The Ignorant FASD Philosopher
#019 Lisa Brownstone and the Eighth Sense
#018 Susan Elsworth: FASD Knowledge Bombs from a MOM
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Teachers Talk Radio
LifeBlood
Navigating Life After 40
The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
The Mel Robbins Podcast