Living with FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) #AlcoholStories

Summary

Bobby, at 34, shares his journey with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), emphasizing the misconceptions and challenges it presents. From early struggles with speech and play to behavioral issues in school, Bobby's story is one of resilience. Despite frequent job losses, he found solace in accepting his condition and urges society not to give up on individuals with FASD or disabilities, offering a message of hope and understanding.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Bobby shares his personal story to shed light on the stigma surrounding FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders).
• 👶 Bobby's early struggles included speech therapy at age 5 due to difficulties in speaking and pronouncing his name.
• 🧩 He also underwent toy therapy and family counseling, indicating early interventions for his developmental differences.
• 🎓 Bobby faced challenges in school, where he acted out to deflect attention from his disability.
• 🏢 Despite leaving school early and starting work, Bobby struggled to maintain employment, with a history of 30-40 job changes.
• 🔄 In recent years, Bobby has experienced improvement, managing to keep a job for a couple of years.
• 🤔 Bobby emphasizes that he never used his disability as an excuse but recognized his unique struggles.
• 💪 He learned to be less hard on himself regarding his learning capabilities and focused on doing his best.
• 🌈 Bobby's message highlights that FASD is a disability that may not be visibly apparent, urging understanding and support.
• 🤝 He encourages not giving up on individuals with FASD or any disability, offering a message of hope and perseverance.

Q & A

What is FASD and why does it carry a stigma according to Bobby?

FASD stands for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, which are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy. It carries a stigma because of the misconceptions and lack of understanding surrounding its causes and effects.

At what age did Bobby first receive therapy?

Bobby started receiving speech therapy when he was around 5 years old because he couldn't speak properly.

Why did Bobby participate in toy therapy?

Bobby was in toy therapy because he couldn't play with toys properly, indicating difficulties in understanding how to interact with them.

How did Bobby's family support him growing up?

Bobby's family supported him by enrolling him in speech therapy, toy therapy, and family counseling to address his developmental differences.

What was Bobby's experience with learning and behavior in school?

Bobby struggled with learning and exhibited behavioral issues in school. He acted out to deflect attention from his disability, which was not recognized by others.

Why did Bobby leave school early and start working?

Bobby left school early and started working due to his struggles with learning and behavior, which made it difficult for him to continue his education.

What challenges did Bobby face in maintaining employment?

Bobby faced significant challenges in maintaining employment, as he was never able to keep a job for long, having had around 30 to 40 different jobs.

How has Bobby's situation improved in recent years?

In the last couple of years, Bobby was able to keep a job for a couple of years, indicating an improvement in his ability to maintain employment.

How did Bobby's attitude towards himself change over time?

Bobby stopped being so hard on himself after realizing that he had different struggles. He accepted that doing his best was good enough.

What message does Bobby have for those with FASD or other disabilities?

Bobby's message is one of hope and perseverance. He encourages not giving up on individuals with FASD or other disabilities, emphasizing that there is hope for them.

Why does Bobby emphasize that FASD is still a disability despite appearing normal?

Bobby emphasizes this to challenge misconceptions and to highlight that disabilities are not always visible, and that individuals with FASD face unique challenges that need to be recognized and understood.