Lisa is a presenter for Visions and Voices, a part of the Touchstone FASD program. Visions and Voices seeks to increase awareness in communities in order to reduce the stigma of FASD and to encourage healthy living. Thank you Lisa for sharing your story.
Good day everyone! My name is Lisa, and I have FASD. My life as a child was challenging especially at school. Kids would tease me but I would always give them money or buy things for them. I thought that it would buy their friendship. I would feel lost a lot growing up, feeling like I missed out on different conversations. Things would just go over my head and I would laugh because other kids were laughing. But the one thing that got me through it all was music. Piano and being in band. That was the place I would not feel lost. It was the one place where I didn’t have to ask all the questions. It was natural.
I am now a mother of three children, who have grown up and have become wonderful children. Yes, there was a time when I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it, but with the help and support from people I did. We have moved and gotten to a better place in life now. We have gone through struggles we have lost literally everything. But we have come closer and we have stuck together and become a stronger unit.
Life with FASD is not always fun, as an adult or as a kid. But I find that now it is easier as a kid to have it. I find that schools seem to be more modified and supports are now given in a way that is not isolating for kids. My children encourage and get me going. But I know that no matter what struggle I come across, I can wake up every day and know that I am blessed beyond belief.
