Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 20/02) - A mother who drank during pregnancy and a young man affected by fetal alcohol syndrome were among the guest speakers at an FAS community information session last Wednesday in the Ndilo gym.

Thelma Carter from Edmonton told the crowd of about 25 how she drank during three of her five pregnancies. Two of her children display tell-tale symptoms of FAS, such as tremors, and severe screaming fits.

Carter admitted to being addicted to cocaine, speed and diet pills for 12 years.

Looking back after being clean for the past six years gave Carter perspective on her behaviour.

"I had no self-esteem. I thought if I could keep a man I would be saved. I had a lot of pain inside," said Carter.

She pointed out that most women don't drink during pregnancy to hurt the fetus, but many are trying to numb their own emotional or psychological pain. Carter said some of her pain comes from the sexual, physical and mental abuse she had undergone as a child.

Carter often speaks about FAS publicly to motivate other mothers to come forward, and have their own children diagnosed.

"Having my daughter diagnosed has allowed me to focus on her gifts, rather than her shortcomings," Carter said.

A man from Hay River who requested anonymity said learning he had FAS at age 16 left him feeling resentful and angry -- feelings he still struggles with today, at age 25.

Since diagnosis, he noticed his greatest challenge is with math, but he has wonderful gifts like being able to draw and an ease with computers, he said.

"I would like to be smarter than I am, but who doesn't. I'm just trying to live my life the best that I can," he said.

He shares his experiences to put an end to FAS.

"This doesn't have to happen and shouldn't happen anymore," he said.

Encouraging parents to go beyond simply suspecting FAS in their children, and actually seeking a diagnosis is what hosts, the "Living and Learning with FAS" project try to teach.

"Parents feel guilty, and judged. We are trying to encourage them to go ahead with the testing because then they can seek community support," said Lani Cooke, executive director of the YK Association for Community Living.

Others speakers were Mike Drake from the Deh Cho Health and Social Services Board, and Barb de Bastiani, a student-support teacher at the Weledeh Catholic School, in Yellowknife.