Breagan (adopted son of my dear friend Judy) did not choose his developmental delays, physical maladies, and behavioral challenges.  He had no voice in the choices of his biological mother that resulted in his daily doses of strong mood-altering medications, special schooling, and an uncertain future.

FACT:  FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) is the leading known preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects, and a leading known cause of learning disabilities.

FACT: FASD annual births are higher than autism, Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis,  and spina bifida – COMBINED!

There’s a whole lotta pledging going on these days (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqcPA1ysSbw).  (“I pledge allegiance to the funk, the United Funk of Funkadelic”???? “I pledge to be a servant to our president”??? HEAVEN HELP US!!!)

Sorry, Hollywood. I can’t pledge to never use the plastic bags at the grocery store.  And I will continue to flush the toilet.  And I will probably always have a tendency to drive a little faster than I should.  But I do pledge to help bring the dangerous consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy to the forefront of our social conscience with the hope that children like Breagan and families like Judy’s can be spared the devastating effects of FASD.

To learn more …

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has put out a fact sheet on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Also the National Organization for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has a website with wonderful information, links, helps, educational information, etc., that you can look at.