FASD Day USA 2004
Ohio
Toledo:
Just wanted to share my FAS day with everyone. As I has mentioned a couple of
week's ago our local( Toledo ) FAS diagnostic clinic had invited me to go to
Columbus to testify before the Town Hall commitee on FAS. WOW - what a day it
turned out to be. Michael came to stay with Mauda for me so that I could go.
There were about 10 of us from Toledo, including Mauda's peditritian, the
director's from Double ARC, a grandmother, another adoptive mom, the local
director from the health department, and me.
The panel we testified to consisted of the first lady of Ohio, Hope Taft (what
an advocate for us and our kids), the directors of Ohio Dept. of Job and Family
Services, Ohio Dept. of Health, Ohio Dept of Drug and Alcohol, Ohio Dept of
Mental Health, Ohio Dept of MR/DD, a couple of doctors, a Senator, and a
Congressman.
It was awesome. I showed them Mauda's picture and one of Claudia's bumper
stickers, and related the story of Mauda's birth, the diagnosis nightmare, and
the help from our pediatrition, Double Arc, the problems getting her mental
health assistanc, etc. Before I was half way finished, most of the panel was
weeping, I was so choked up, I could barely speak, but kept telling myself that
I owed it to Mauda to tell her story. Anyway, after the meeting ended, the
directors of MR/DD and ODMH said they would be in touch to get involved with the
task force. And Mrs.Taft said she would be in touch. So I guess I said something
right or they saw my precious baby's picture and couldn't help themselves.
But I truly left there feeling we had all accomplished something very
significant. Sorry this is so long, but I'm very excited and wanted to share it
with you all.
Kim Morris