It isn’t too often we find someone who has Prenatal Alcohol Exposure covered from all angles, but today’s guest certainly does. She is an individual with FASD, a caregiver for individuals with FASD and a professional who works with individuals with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure. This episode is a 10 timer – there is so much incredible information from different perspectives you are going to want to keep coming back to it.
Once I realized that it was probably the PAE, I started to feel like OK, I can start to work with this, and I can help everyone around me work with this too.
Debbie Michaud is a Social Worker with a BSW and MSW – she is currently working on a Ph.D. in Educational Sustainability. She has worked for 24 years in the child welfare field in both front-line and supervisory roles. She is teaching at Confederation College in the Social Service Worker Program and at Sault College in the FASD Certificate Program.
Debbie shares a very candid and intimate retelling of her journey and how she came to realize she was prenatally exposed to alcohol. She is a great example of how unique individuals with FASD can be because of what’s called “scattered profiles”. She tells us that despite being on her way to getting a Ph.D., FASD does affect her in some unique ways, as well we:
I have had the advantage of raising so many kids that I got to try different ways of raising them. I wanted that normal too. I fought with my kids to go to school, to do this, to do that, to be in girl guides and cub scouts and hockey and all of that stuff. And at the end of the day, some of that stuff ruined my relationship with them.
There is so much in this episode. We touch on how systems need to respond to the unique needs of caregivers as well as individuals with FASD. She shares how a PhotoVoice Project created by caregivers of children with FASD came about and shares what the future holds for her.
This is an episode about weaving the stories, tapestries, and intersections of our lives together and the importance of relationships. Be sure to check out the incredible and moving Photo Voice Project (link below) and let me know what you think.
Show Notes:
Picture This: Life as a Parent of Children with FASD
Support the Show.
AHA! My FASD Lightbulb Moments - Flipping the Switch on Understanding and Empathy
The FASD Success Formula: Strengths, Challenges, and Special Supports
Reintroducing Myself: The Tale of Resilience and Rediscovery
#132 "The End of a Chapter: Navigating Life After Loss"
#131 How to REALLY Survive the Holidays (+ the future of our show)
#130 Michelle Trager Powerful Parenting from Afar
#129 Anne and Jeff Munson What to do when you’ve tried EVERYTHING!
#128 Sara and Brad Evans From Faking It to Making It: An FASD Success Story!
#127 Kenny LaJoy A Young Author with FASD Reveals Secrets to His Success
#126 Ask Me Anything about FASD with Jeff Noble ROUND 2
#125 Heather Vickers 51 Years Of FASD Experience
#124 Jessica Sinarski Helping Kids Understand Big Feelings
#123 BONUS Episode: FASD Day Extravaganza
#122 Essential FASD Back To School T.I.P.S. with Danna Ormstrup
#121 Audrey McFarlane Breaking FASD News
#120 Marj Wingrove Talking to Kids with FASD about Death
#119 Miranda Eodanable Photovoice: young people’s experiences and views of FASD
#118 Mark Courtepatte- FASD & IEPs
#117 Rhonda & Shawn: How to love someone with FASD who’s hurt someone
#116 Stephanie Burns: How To Stay Healthy During The Hard
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