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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Health authorities and RCMP walked together in Fort Simpson last week to raise awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Sgt. Robert Gallant (left), Aaron McNab, Hazel Isaiah, Kathy Tsetso and Nelma De Oliveira went on a walk Friday to raise awareness for Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorder. - photo courtesy of Jocelyn Tsetso

Melissa Hardisty-Beaverho, a walk participant and community health representative, said she believes the event made a difference.

"I think the walk went pretty good because people were just kind of driving by and watching, wondering what are we doing?” she said. "As people were going by we were talking about how we’re walking for the awareness of FASD."

FASD is a term used to describe a number of diagnoses and disabilities that arise when a woman who is pregnant consumes drugs or alcohol.

"When a mother is drinking while she is pregnant there are lots of birth defects that can happen when the child is born. There are facial defects … there are learning disabilities, there is retardation,” said Hardisty-Beaverho. "A lot of things are affected."

Deh Cho Health and Social Services, RCMP and the village of Fort Simpson joined together to put on the walk. The group of about eight people travelled with signs from the Nahanni Inn, down to Antoine Drive, and then up to Thomas Simpson School.

The event was planned as part of FASD Awareness Day, which was on Sunday.

Sgt. Rob Gallant said it’s important for people to educate themselves about the disorder.

"Everybody is affected by it. We all know people who have FASD,” he said. "Our generation, we shouldn't have to see anybody affected with FASD."

There are about 300,000 Canadians currently living with the disorder, while more than 3,000 babies are born with FASD every year.

"If you drink and do drugs during your pregnancy the result is you're going to have a child that's going to be suffering for the rest of their life," said Gallant. "It's just not fair."

There is no amount or type of alcohol that is safe to consume while someone is pregnant.

Women who are struggling with drug or alcohol addictions can get help at the Health Centre or by talking to community health representatives at Deh Cho Health and Social Services, said Hardisty-Beaverho.

"If you come to any one of us we will point you in the right direction,” she said, adding she really encourages people to seek out help and ask questions about FASD or any other health issues.

"Just think about how beautiful it could be to feel your baby grow, move around and then come out so healthy. Just having that experience instead of being intoxicated or high off illegal drugs."

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