Red Shoes Rock honors the FASD pioneer – Birth Mom, Warrior Mom, Karli’s Mom Kathy Mitchell – Thank you!
Mom’s who drink while pregnant need Hope. Kathy is the sword of truth that cuts through the darkness.
Shared by Jodee Kulp
I met Kathy Mitchell at the FASD Teen Adult Camp in Michigan in 2004. This incredible camp had been designed and developed by the incredible Wrybrecht family—Barb, Ted and Rob, and a team of Michigan professionals and families. Their son, Rob, was the first infant diagnosed with FAS in the United States. Barb was a nurse and active in the international FASD community. Kathy and I were campers, along with Deb Evensen, Teresa Kellerman, and Ann Yurcek.
I had arrived alone, so it was a relaxing couple of days enjoying time with caregivers and professionals, teens, and young adults. Evening campfires were a calming time. That is, is unless you put Kathy Mitchell with Jodee Kulp to become the party girls in a skit to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. We were on it with full expression, and we acted our roles well. Claps and laughs and hoots, and an, “Oh, you must have been something as teenagers,” from Dr. Ed Riley followed. Kathy puts her ALL into whatever she does and it shows. So do I.
Kathleen Tavenner Mitchell is currently the Vice President and International Spokesperson for the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) and a noted speaker on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and Women and Addictions. She has authored several published papers and chapters about FASD, the NOFAS-FASD Certification curriculum for addictions professionals (F-CAP), Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; a Guidebook for Parents and Caregivers, and co-authored Making a Difference: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Public Awareness Guide. She served as an FASD expert and advised the writers of NBC’s Law and Order; Special Victims Unit to create an episode about FASD: “Choices.” She provides live media interviews and has been featured on NBC’s Later Today Show, NBC’s Real Life, BBC Radio, The Washington Post, PA Today and Glamour Magazine. She has testified to the United States House of Representatives.
Kathy is a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.
“Kathy Mitchell’s story of recovery is the most powerful story of recovery I have ever heard,” says Deb Evensen. “She walks her talk.”
Most importantly she is the mother of Karli, and is transparent in being a birth mother with a history of alcoholism. Kathy conceptualized and facilitates an international birth mother mentorship program:
- Warrior Mom Network; Circle of Hope (COH),
- The COH National speaker’s bureau
- Hope for Women in Recovery National Summits.
Her truth is the truth of many women and she shares her story below.
I call her brave.
Kathy Mitchell Tells Her Story
Recovering Hope – Part 1 – Mothers & Children on FASD
If you are a birth mother, know you are not alone.
Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to listen to other’s stories.
Join the NOFAS Stamp Out Stigma Campaign!
Join NOFAS and the NOFAS Circle of Hope to stop the stigma of birth mothers of children with FASD and the stigma of all individuals and families living with the disorders.
Preventing FASD and helping individuals living with FASD is challenging! One of the most significant barriers is the stigma associated with FASD and drinking during pregnancy. Join NOFAS and the NOFAS Circle of Hope to stop the stigma of birth mothers of children with FASD and all children, adults, and families touched by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
Newsletters View archived COH newsletters
Speaker’s Bureau Warrior Moms have been trained to public presentations and are comfortable in “telling their stories.” Contact Kathy Mitchell to learn more.
Order COH Materials
Help us prevent future alcohol-exposed pregnancies by ordering and distributing the COH materials. To order materials, please contact NOFAS and specify your interest in the Circle of Hope, for example, if you serve women in addiction treatment. NOFAS can send posters and brochures for only the cost of shipping and handling.
Poster – PDF
Brochure – PDF
“Warrior Mom” Pendant – Available for purchase
Archived COH newsletters.
Learn about the Hope for Women in Recovery Summit
Women in Recovery Summits Article
Learn how to plan and facilitate a Women in Recovery Summit
For Parents of Children with FASD
List of books on FASD
Brochure for teachers: “Ain’t Misbehaving” by Deb Evensen
Info on diet, nutrition and FASD, choline
Treating Patients with FASD
For Addiction Professionals:
Learn how Addiction Centers and Professionals can help prevent FASD. Contact NOFAS to learn more about the NOFAS FASD Curriculum for Addiction & Allied Health Professionals – Level l and Level II. (NAADAC Course, Provider # 704, 22 CEU’s).
Flyer 1 – Reduce Recidivism Rates
Flyer 2 – Prevent FASD
Flyer 3 – Connect with Other Women
Want to learn more about FASD prevention or treatment?
See our Fact Sheets. Learn more about living with FASD. Find local resources.
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