Red shoes sparking conversations
On the 9th day of the 9th month, members of the Victorian Fetal Alcohol Service (VicFAS) at Monash Children’s Hospital are rocking red shoes to raise awareness of the importance of not drinking alcohol during the 9 months of pregnancy.
Babies exposed to alcohol in the womb can be born with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), a lifelong brain impairment.
People with FASD may have:
- problems with language, thinking, memory, attention, and reasoning
- behavioural and learning difficulties
- impairment in motor skills
- limited social and daily living skill
FASD is a mostly hidden disability that can profoundly impact quality of life for individuals and their families.
“By wearing red shoes today, we turn invisibility into visibility and start a dialogue about keeping babies safe during pregnancy,” said Dr Katrina Harris, Head of Developmental and Community Paediatrics at Monash Children’s Hospital and Head of Service at VicFAS.
“Gently asking about alcohol use in pregnancy opens up the possibility for parents to share their concerns and can focus supports on the child.”
“We want to raise awareness of FASD and the risks of alcohol during pregnancy, while also highlighting the support needs of those affected by prenatal alcohol exposure,” said Prue Walker, a Senior Social Worker at VicFAS.
September is International FASD Awareness Month.
