Here at Parents Helping Parents Ontario FASD, we understand that while FASD impacts many ares of life, that doesn’t mean those living with FASD don’t also have strengths, hopes and dreams. Today we feel honoured to share with you a poem written by a youth with FASD, a poignant reminder of the contribution people navigating FASD bring to the work we do and the communities they are in.
There are things about me that are unique
Unique can be good
I have friends and interests and hobbies too
Even if sometimes I need more support than you
Each day I try my best, and when it doesn’t work it isn’t that I need to try harder
I can see I’m learning and making progress even when it appears smaller
Your support and help means I am closer to reaching my hopes and goals
Even when sometimes it feels like when people hear the term FASD they only see the woes
My goals may not always look like yours
My goals may take a bit more time
But progress is still progress
And FASD doesn’t change that
FASD is part of me but it isn’t the whole of me.
There’s lots of me that is just like you
And lots of me that’s unique to me too