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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

810-km trek aims to raise awareness of FASD

By: Carol Sanders

Posted: 08/27/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Nearly two dozen volunteers will start an 810-kilometre trek Tuesday in a cry for help for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

People from Norway House Cree Nation will walk and run to Winnipeg and camp along the way to draw attention to FASD.

"I feel for the kids -- especially the children with FASD," said organizer Lucy Muswagon, Norway House's FASD program co-ordinator.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is caused during pregnancy when alcohol damages the developing brain and nervous system of the fetus, leading to mental, physical, and developmental problems once the baby is born.

"The intent was to put out awareness for our children and families who are affected with FASD, and so they can have better access to supports and services," Muswagon said.

The 23 residents of Norway House making the trip plan to arrive at the Legislative Building Sept. 9 for International FASD Awareness Day.

The federally funded program at Norway House is one of 10 sites around the province for mentoring moms who've battled addictions.

Muswagon said they're part of the Norway House roundtable committee on FASD that's been working for 10 years on more than prevention. They'll work to get a diagnosis for kids so they can qualify for services, she said.

Sometimes she gets referrals from a school or family services agency saying a child should be assessed for FASD. Muswagon gathers the information and forwards it to the Manitoba FASD Centre.

"That determination comes from the Manitoba FASD centre," she said. If it's determined the child has FASD, then what comes next is crucial.

"Resources need to be there."

Getting a diagnosis isn't easy -- especially when there is such a taboo about alcohol consumption and pregnancy that moms may not want to admit they drank while they were with child.

"Parents themselves need to be more aware so they don't try to hide it or deny it," Muswagon said. "There is a lot of denial."

Even when the drinking was known to everyone in the community of close to 5,000 people, the shame has prevented mothers from admitting it and getting help for their affected kids.

"It takes a while sometimes," Muswagon aid. When program staff explain diagnosis is key to getting services for affected children, often moms will relent.

Muswagon said the federal First Nations and Inuit Health Branch and Health Canada fund a variety of programs and projects. Norway House also taps into provincial programs whenever possible, but more is needed on the federal level, she said.

The group from Norway House plans to cover nearly 90 kilometres a day with groups of walkers and joggers leap-frogging their way south.

Muswagon said they're camping overnight along the road, and picking up supporters from nearby communities like Cross Lake and Highway 6 towns they pass through on their way.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 27, 2010 A7

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