September 9^th is international FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) day.

People gather on the 9^th minute of the 9^th hour of the 9^th day of the 9^th month to recognize the 9 months of pregnancy in which a woman should not drink alcohol.

In 1999, Bonnie Buxton and Brian Philcox of Toronto and Teresa Kellerman of Tuscon, AZ, all parents of fetal alcohol children, asked each some questions:

“What if a world full of fetal alcohol parents got together on the 9^th hour, of the 9^th day of the 9^th month of the year and asked the world to remember that during the 9^th months of pregnancy a woman should not drink alcohol?"

"Would the world listen?”

Can you be one of those people who takes a moment to think of the children, youth and adults who are affected by FASD?  Can you share what you know about FASD with women you love who are pregnant?

• FASD is the leading known cause of preventable developmental disability among Canadians. It is estimated that FASD affects approximately 1% of the Canadian population.
• FASD cannot be cured and has lifelong impacts on individuals, their families, and society. Effects, including alcohol-related birth defects, can vary from mild to severe and may include a range of physical, brain and central nervous system disabilities, as well as cognitive, behavioural and emotional issues (from the Public Health Agency of Canada).

In recognition of this day Wood’s Homes FASD MAPS partnership challenges you to wear red shoes, take a photos at 9:09 am on September 9^th and post them on social media using hashtags such as #redshoesrock #FASDisPeople #EverydayIsFASDDay #FAFASDsend, or send them to jody.jordan@woodshomes.ca.