Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, FASD with Tristan Casson-Rennie and Jan Griffin
Tristan is the founder of FASD Ireland, a not-for-profit charity that aims to raise awareness and provide support to families in Ireland living with FASD. And Jan is birth mum to Rossi who was born with FASD.
They are both passionate about raising awareness of the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy and removing the stigma associated with FASD in order that the families can seek the correct support. Jan didn’t realise that she was pregnant for 4 months, during which she consumed alcohol. It is important to point out that Jan doesn’t have an alcohol addiction and that once aware of the pregnancy she stopped, however there was never any guidance from her doctor to tell her do so.
Tristan also has lived experience with his adopted son who has FASD and is campaigning in Ireland for the condition to be recognised as a disability to support the hundreds of babies born every year to parents who unwittingly don’t realise the harm that alcohol can have on a foetuses brain’s neurological pathways.
This conversation is full of tips for parents, families and carers to use.
When planning to have a baby, you and your partner should stop drinking to avoid any chance of the baby having FASD.
For support
Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.
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