Be watching for several local bridges and numerous other landmarks to be lit brightly in red on September 9th.
September is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Month, with the ninth day designated as International FASD Awareness Day.
“September is the ninth month of the year, and we highlight the ninth day, which coincides with the nine months of pregnancy,” explained Mollie O’Brien, executive director of Proof Alliance, a Minnesota-based nonprofit that works to prevent prenatal alcohol exposure, supports families impacted by FASD and provides resources, education and advocacy.
Starting at sunset on Sept 9, the Twin Cities will shine red. Landmarks to be lit up include the I-35W bridge over St Anthony Falls, the Lowry Ave Bridge and the Capella Tower in Minneapolis, Eagan’s Sperry Tower and the France Avenue lights in Edina.
O’Brien thinks the focus on September makes sense because it’s the start of school, a time when the disorder is often detected by teachers and diagnosed through school screenings and evaluations.
It’s estimated the disorder affects as many as one in 20 school-aged kids in the US, but many of them go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed.
“It’s so common. It’s one of those invisible disabilities. It is a brain-based disability that impacts the entire child—their brain development, learning, executive functioning,” O’Brien said. “Supporting these kids in the classroom builds successful outcomes.”
Prenatal alcohol exposure impacts each person differently. People on the FASD spectrum may experience various challenges, including physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities and difficulties, with possible lifelong implications.
In addition to working to prevent FASD by initiating large campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of consuming alcohol during pregnancy, Proof Alliance also works to provide an official diagnosis to children with the disorder.
“We do diagnoses at an onsite diagnostic clinic and right now the wait is nine months. We are trying to shorten that because the earlier kids can get detected and diagnosed, the earlier therapy and treatment can occur,” O’Brien said.
Throughout the month of September, Proof Alliance will sponsor numerous events for the community to learn more about FASD. That includes a number of educational forums and fundraisers.
The 18th Annual Proof Alliance Benefit for FASD is planned for Sept 18 at Urban Daisy in Minneapolis.. It will bring together some 200 supporters for an evening with live entertainment and dinner.
For more information about events in the month of September or to learn more about FASD, go here.