Everyone who spoke had something positive to say about how they felt after experiencing the Juneau FASD Training and Family Camp. As we sat in a circle each evening, passing the feather so all could contribute, young folks shared how they enjoyed the healthy food and the games and making new friends who could understand what it was like to live with a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
The adults shared how different it was to slow down and really have time with their families and time to learn. They appreciated the opportunity to make new friends, learn about brain differences and what works as well as what doesn’t work. The families and professionals who attended look forward to contacting and supporting each other in the future.
We want to thank those who made the Family Camp possible. The Juneau Community Foundation and the Alaska Mental Health Trust awarded us grants. The Governor’s Council on Special Education and Disabilities, the Eagle River United Methodist Camp Board and the Community of Christian Woman donated funds for scholarships. K.J. and Peggy Metcalf and Ric Iannolino served as consultants. Shuttling people out to the camp and back and entertaining guests before and after the camp was accomplished by Alex and Ray Pastorino, Bruce and Judy Morley, Sarah Benning and Kristi Kantola.
Printing and electronic media chores were magically completed by REACH, Capital Copy, Sherri Wes, Mary Katasse and Teri Tibbet. Marie Olson honored us with her presence and welcomed us to her ancestral land. Jeff Brown with KTOO and Sharon Gaiptman with KINY were kind enough to invite us to share our training information on their radio programs and the Juneau Empire published several articles and an interview giving the community additional information about the FASD trainings.
We want to especially thank the Eagle River United Methodist Camp Board for acting as our nonprofit and the Whitecrow Village presenters who gave up two weeks of their lives to bring their acclaimed and successful wrap around FASD support system to our community. With this wonderful support and a full house for both the Intensive and Immersion trainings, we are looking forward to our second annual camp in August 2018.
Sandy Fiscus
