Previous guests have included moms and dads, but this is the first time we’ve had a couple appear together to talk about their journey as FASD Caregivers. I couldn’t think of a better couple than Chandra and Jordan as the first. 

Chandra and Jordan are parents to 6 children – two with an FASD diagnosis and one suspected. Like Angelene Bruce, our conversation was not intended to be a podcast. It was for a case study for our upcoming CKS workshop. Like Angelene, their story is filled with great lessons that will benefit many.

Before taking the CKS program, Chandra and Jordan admitted they were living at a level of desperation and constant stress. They questioned their parenting, had others question their parenting, and struggled to understand why their children were acting the way they did despite what they felt was a supportive home environment.

I feel as a mom you get this intuition. There were things with our boys that I was recognizing, not...

Her handle on Twitter is FASD Warrior Mum. I interviewed Angelene Bruce for her feedback on her experience taking my Caregiver Kickstart Coaching program.  As she told her story, as a birth mum, it became clear her insight and experiences needed to be shared with a larger audience. She is a warrior who is working to throw stigma against birth mums and FASD out the window. 

I felt immense guilt. I cut down … and did as much as I could do – so diet, sleep, exercise, prenatal vitamins. I made sure my prenatal care was as good as it could be. I want birth mums to know there are mitigating things we can do. My passion is for women that are dependent. But it can happen even at low levels of drinking. 

Angelene is honest and forthright about her past. We talk about her dependency on alcohol and her pregnancy but also her path to recovery and acceptance. Stops on that journey include:  

• How her relationship with her son has evolved, what...

FASD is something...

I love when we bring back guests for an update! I love it, even more, when we have breaking news! More on that later. My guest today, Audrey McFarlane, was my first guest back in January 2020. That episode is in the Top 3 of most listened. It isn’t surprising because she is the Executive Director of the Canada FASD Research Network. Audrey was also one of the founders of the Lakeland Centre for FASD, which in my opinion, is one of the best FASD organizations on the planet.  

Audrey has her finger on the pulse of what is happening not only in Canada but around the world. In this episode we talk about advocacy in other parts of the planet, get an update on what CanFASD has been up to since she was last on, as well as details on: 

• CanFASD’s new membership program (and...

What is the craziest thing you have heard someone doing to raise awareness about FASD? How about riding across America by yourself, relying on the hospitality of strangers to feed you, give you a bed for the night and talk about FASD. That’s exactly what my guest today, Emmaus Holder, did. Not so crazy though, it was more an epic adventure or quest.  

Emmaus Holder is a student at UNC Chapel Hill studying Sociology and Music. He is the oldest of five and has two brothers with FASD. He enjoys music and playing any instrument he can get his hands on, even taking a set of harmonicas on his bike trip. After college, Emmaus hopes to study sociology or psychology, do more research, and teach about topics such as the social and emotional difficulties tied to psychological struggles such as FASD. 

I wanted to do a cycling tour and as the idea started to build, I wanted to put a purpose behind...

Today’s episode is a little different. You may know about our free Facebook group called the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Caregiver Success Support Group. Well, a group is only as successful as it is because of the moderators. They provide support for group members and maintain a safe atmosphere.

I thought it might be fun for listeners to “meet the mods” and hear a little bit about them, their families, and their thoughts on the importance of community.

We have four moderators: Laurie Anderson, Alex Duthie, Heather Flynn and Debbie Raymond.

As with all guests, I ask about their origin story. You will also find out:

• who they support;
• some of the symptoms of the disability that present in their loved ones; and
• interventions or accommodations they use to support their success.

You will also learn (if you didn’t already know):

• What role they play in the group;
• The skills they bring as a moderator; and
• Their thoughts on the importance of...

Sharing stories and journeys from caregivers is one of my favourite things to do. It provides insight and inspiration for others from people just like you who know what you are going through.

Today I chat with my good friend, and Caregiver Kickstart Coaching program alumni, Christine and her daughter Angelina. Not only has their relationship improved in the last year, since getting real about FASD, and working through their grief and loss, they have emerged the other side and are kicking some advocacy ass right now in their home state of Kansas. 

Christine Bofenkamp is a freelance graphic designer and writer. She and her husband are raising Angelina who was adopted through kinship care, or how Christine likes to say, "our family tree has a limb that curls right back in.” When not working or supporting her daughter with online studies, Christine is pushing to get her new home state of Kansas FASD informed. She is building a...