The FASD Success Show
Jeff Noble thought he knew all about FASD... until he became a full time FASD Foster Parent. Fast forward to now. Jeff has been coast to coast and from one side of the earth to the other talking, teaching and learning about FASD with other Caregivers, Front Line Staff and anyone who might sit and listen to him. In The FASD SUCCESS SHOW, Jeff and his gang of FASD Insiders will talk about FASD in a real way so that you can learn how to deal and cope with FASD in REAL life, to be a better advocate and a more confident caregiver. Jeff is going to tackle all the hot topics like FASD and aggression, sleep, hygiene, the education system, meltdowns and working with professionals. Pretty much all the things you need to know so that you can focus on being a happy, balanced caregiver. Jeff will make you laugh, he will make you think, but mostly he will give you hope that you CAN do this. Hit subscribe and get ready to transform into the FASD Caregiver you know you can be.
The FASD Success Show
#117 Rhonda & Shawn: How to love someone with FASD who’s hurt someone
Tigger Warning: Incarceration, Suicide, Trauma, and Sexual Assault
This unique episode has some critical information about how systemic barriers and failures can result in adverse outcomes for individuals with FASD. We will leave the detail for the episode, but we want to give you a general idea about the content.
First up, I want to thank Shawn for being brave and vulnerable in sharing his story. Rhonda also has my deep respect for supporting and loving him through this process, while also recognizing the impact and harm on the victim.
Rhonda has worked in the child welfare system for 30 years. She was first introduced to FASD in her personal life when she provided respite for Debbie and Bill Michaud (both former podcast guests). Eventually, she raised 8 individuals (most with FASD) and supported a variety of their friends and family along the way, which is how she came to know Shawn.
My hope in sharing Rhonda and Shawn’s story is that caregivers will gain valuable tips for supporting vulnerable individuals. I also hope it shines a light for professionals on what can happen where there is no diagnosis and no access to informed services. When we assume a person “looks normal and talks normal”, we put them into situations where they can fail. When they fail, someone gets hurt. They get charged and the charges can be serious. Now we are left with families in ruins where the failure was in fact not the individual, but systemic from years and years ago.
There have been some hard lessons in Shawn's story but there have been some silver linings. No matter what happens in Court, we hope that Shawn and his victim find healing.
Show Notes:
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