By anyone’s measure, Gilberto Spencer has lived – and is living – a very impressive life. Gilberto is also living and functioning with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), and he wants to tell his story.
Category: Community stories
Angelene’s son lives with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). In this video, she talks about alcohol dependence, her son’s FASD diagnosis and her life now as a passionate FASD advocate.
When Jessica was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) at age 33, it helped her to better understand herself and her experiences of the world. Hear about Jessica’s journey to her diagnosis and how she’s raising awareness of FASD in the community.
Jen found a range of enjoyable ways to stay healthy and active during her pregnancies with her sons. She also learned more about why it’s important to avoid alcohol during this time and while breastfeeding.
Watch Aunty Helen as she talks about why she will continue advocating for her community’s health and wellbeing.
Joshua is a Warlpiri/Tiwi man from the Bagot community in Darwin, Northern Territory. Alcohol caused a lot of problems in his life — trouble with the police, hospitalisations, and mental ill health. But today, after giving up drinking, he is proud to set a good example for his son and his community.
When Lauren Pettis (35) and her husband, Phil, began trying for a baby at the end of 2020, the couple made the conscious decision to go alcohol-free for their pregnancy journey.
Warning: This story contains details that may be distressing. No parent expects their child’s life to be cut short by alcohol. My son Dylan was just 26 when he died from alcohol-induced hepatitis, or liver inflammation.
I’m Rodney and I work in policy and research at FARE. I’m someone with a personal experience of alcohol dependency. I don’t fit some of the stereotypes of alcohol dependency – I didn’t experience significant trauma and didn’t use alcohol until my mid-20s. But I did end up using it excessively and compulsively for many years.
When you think of an old-fashioned stand-up comedian, you can’t help but think of smoky bars, endless drinks and lots of big nights. But the industry is changing, with more comics now opting to drink little or no alcohol.
Pauline was never a big drinker. But to deal with the challenges presented by COVID-19, she started relying on a glass of wine or two every night.
When I was 11, my dad told me about his alcohol dependence. I remember him sitting on the end of my bed, doing his best to make it make sense. Pieces of early memories started falling into place.