Estimated reading time at 200 wpm: 3 minutes
Well, I’ve been busy elsewhere as ‘some’ may know. But it’s a very busy world where I have to compete with Twitter, Instagram, Facetime, Netflix, Amazon etc to get people to even notice what’s going on. It’s fine – at least this article is evidence that people are too busy to notice things that should be important to everyone.
Whether or not you agree our Fat Disclaimer applies
What if there was an epidemic of brain damage affecting thousands of children in the UK, more commonly than many conditions we regularly hear about, yet it remains largely unseen and undiagnosed?
This is the silent crisis of Foetal Alcohol Related Damage (FARD) – a term that encompasses the entire spectrum of harms caused when an unborn baby is exposed to alcohol. It’s a preventable form of lifelong brain damage, one that affects children across our communities, yet often goes undetected, leaving families to navigate a complex labyrinth of challenges.
NHS data reveals that approximately 41% of women have drunk alcohol at some point in pregnancy – either before or after they knew they had conceived. [Women and alcohol – Institute of Alcohol Studies, 2021]
What is FARD? More than just a single condition
FARD isn’t a single illness; it’s a spectrum of permanent disabilities. At its most severe, it includes Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), which can involve distinctive facial features and growth problems. But far more commonly, FARD manifests as invisible brain damage, leading to:
- Learning difficulties: Problems with memory, attention, and academic progress.
- Behavioural challenges: Issues with impulse control, emotional regulation, hyperactivity, and social understanding.
- Developmental delays: Slower progress in walking, talking, and acquiring life skills.
These are lifelong struggles, profoundly impacting a child’s ability to learn, thrive, and integrate into society.
Well, I’ll stop there. If ‘people’ see this post, then all I say is ‘take action’ to change the law, so that pregnant alcohol dependent mothers can be prevented from damaging their unborn children.
If you believe that’s a good thing to do, then sign the Petition at https://www.change.org/FASD-change-the-law. NOBDY wants your money except Change.org who may offer you a subscription that you DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR!
The Case for Change
Tough – if you know little about all this, then read my articles on FASD and FARD, to learn more.
But know this, if you are too busy to sign the Petition or forget, you are responsible for your apathy that leads some child in the UK to a life of horror!
End of! Now bugger off!
