Drinking alcohol is never safe during pregnancy, according to Northwest Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Coordinator Gwen Vekved. She says it is important to recognize those who are living with the disorder and those mothers who are looking for a healthy lifestyle during their pregnancy.
“FASD is currently the highest preventable disability in Canada with over 46,000 people affected in Alberta. We say it’s preventable in that if you don’t drink during pregnancy, you don’t have fetal alcohol.”
Vekved adds that the disability impacts people differently while some people have behavior problems, cognitive issues and early signs of dementia.
Across the province, there are around 36 diagnostic clinics with a mobile clinic in the Grande Prairie region. There are over 40 individuals diagnosed each year in the area but there continues to be a long wait list to get in.
The international FASD awareness day was held on September 9th across the world.