People have been asking to learn more about Mac – so I will be sharing Ann Yurcek’s blog posts here as my guest blogger to learn more about #FASD and how it affects families, the community and most importantly the people who face the challenges daily.
Day 11: Meet Mac
I received an email from a long time friend asking to use a picture I had recently posted on my Facebook thread to raise awareness about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Of course I said “yes”!
We cannot raise awareness about FASD’s and rallying for supports for those affected unless we find the courage to step up and put it out there. Brainstorming with Jodee we planned and launched the 90 Real People Real Lives campaign. We day by day would reach out to the FASD support groups on Facebook to find people, parents and kids courageous enough to share about…
Way to go lead trail guide – we enjoy your guidance on this foggy, muddy and weedy crooked path – together we add light and blazes to this trail.
June 14, 2016 R.J. FORMANEK – DAY 2 – RED SHOES ROCK – 90 REAL PEOPLE – REAL LIVES
My story: RJ was refused at birth, raised by family and later social services, left home at 15, had numerous jobs, became photojournalist and now writes, speaks and educates about living with FASD.
Strengths: RJ is energetic, positive and always seeking to share a smile or a hug… Remaining positive in the face of negatives to find a better way.
Struggles: Diagnosed with PFAS (Partial FAS) RJ struggles with short term, or working memory, has some physical issues due to the FAS and is currently working on getting more than five hours sleep a night.
RJ’s Wish: That others need not experience what I and so many others have gone through because FASD is not understood; that by bringing light to the subject we can improve the chances, and the lives of so many others.
Day Two of our 90 Day Count Down to September 9 – We’re loving the action. People are out strutting and jumping and rolling and climbing with their RedShoesRock.
MEET RJ.– This is the founder and leader of Flying with Broken
Wings support group for persons living with FASD, professionals
and their families. He is also the co-creator of our Red Shoes Rock program. RJ makes a difference in the lives of our precious families by serving at the helm as our trail guide and expert moderator. In 2016 he received the Individual Award
of Excellence for his work .
My story: RJ was refused at birth, raised by family and later social services, left home at 15, had numerous jobs, became photojournalist and now writes, speaks and educates about living with FASD.
Strengths: RJ is energetic, positive and always seeking to share a smile or a…
Day 1 – Red Shoes Rock takes off with a fast start – Thank you Mac for sharing you life with all of us! Get healthy in 90 days and build awareness of FASD with Mac and his friends.
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MEET MAC – He is a sweet little boy, full of joy and energy and a busy body. His parents and whole family and his community work together to make a difference in helping him reach milestones other children naturally achieve. You see Mac began his life in a very hard place. He was immersed with alcohol in the womb. As a strong person he survived his first battles to live before he was even born.
MAC’S STORY – premature, abandoned, foster care, critically ill and adopted into the family that never gives up. He has been surrounded by everything…
It's Ground Hogs Day - and the answer to did the ground hog see his shadow? Is.... Well that depends on where you live - so I guess the answer is variable. And that's what happens with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders - the results are variable and most of the results are hidden - comingContinue reading "Did the ground hog see his shadow? Ask us."
Heart Warming... Happy February 1 - we are over the hump of cold weather and winter - though the next two months can be exciting it always feels like there will soon be springtime. Thank you to all the families and friends and professionals whose hearts love and work hard to understand the life challengesContinue reading "Happy Over the Hump of Winter – #Redshoesrock for #FASD"
Special thank you to guest blogger — R.J. Formanek – R.J. is one of our beloved FASD Survival Strategy Teachers and FASD Trail Guides — He is founder of FB private group for adults with FASD “Flying with Broken Wings”
On being diagnosed with FASD as an adult.
The day an official diagnosis is given a number of changes happen to a person living with FASD. There is of course, the emotional impact of actually having something on paper that indicates what is going on inside of your body and your brain, something that, up to this point has been invisible for the most part.
Oh, sure there are the ‘small’ physical traits that come with FASD (…”It’s no big deal… everyone can’t be good at everything!”) but to the outside world we don’t look all that different.
So you deal with the emotions, one step at a time. It…
being diagnosed with FASD as an adult.
Red Shoes Rock 