FASD Hope is a podcast about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), through the lens of parent advocates with over eighteen years of lived experience.
Episode 42 features Gwen Bartley, Founder and Executive Director of the Nonprofit Organization, "Amazing Grace Advocacy". Gwen is a mom to five children, three of which came through foster care / domestic adoption and have brain-based diagnoses as a result of exposure to alcohol and substances in utero. Gwen founded Amazing Grace Advocacy with a vow to help other families navigate the complex systems that serve our children. Two of her children have a dual diagnosis of mental health and intellectual disabilities and they were stuck in limbo between these two systems. In devoting a lot of time to fight for services, Gwen was able to achieve what was needed for her children's care and success. Gwen also has a now-adult child who is battling substance abuse disorder. Gwen shares her story, experiences and compassion to serve and help others in achieving peace and quality of life for other families raising children with FASD, Brain Based Diagnoses and Trauma.
In this INSPIRATIONAL conversation, Gwen and Natalie (podcast host) discuss the following topics: Gwen's journey as a mom and how she built her family through birth, domestic adoption and foster care adoption; the journey and experiences of Gwen's family with FASD / prenatal substance exposure / trauma; how Gwen inspired Natalie when they met at the Exceptional Children's Assistance Center (ECAC) first ever Parent Leadership Conference in 2019; Amazing Grace Advocacy; how Gwen's faith has carried her through her journey as a mom; resources and events provided by Amazing Grace Advocacy and her words of hope for other parents on this journey.
"But more than anything else, put God's work first and do what He wants. Then, the other things will be yours as well." - Matthew 6:33
EPISODE RESOURCES-
Amazing Grace Advocacy
https://amazingraceadvocacy.org/
"Every Life Has a Purpose, Navigating Families to Hope and Success"
Gwen Bartley, Executive Director
Facebook - @amazinggraceadvocacy
Twitter - @amazgraceadvoca
Instagram - @aga6:33
FASD Hope-
https://www.fasdhope.com/
Natalie Vecchione (podcast host) - natalie@fasdhope.com
Instagram - @fasdhope
Facebook - @fasdhope1
Pinterest - @fasdhope1
Clubhouse - @natalievecc