The Ninth Day of the Ninth Month

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Thank you for joining us for today's Spotlight program. I'm Liz Waid.

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And I'm Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

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On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy, alcohol can be very dangerous to the baby. We also ask the world to remember the millions of people worldwide who will struggle with mental disabilities caused by prenatal alcohol.

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This is the request of FAS organizations worldwide. These organizations work to spread information about FAS - Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

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Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or FAS, is a problem worldwide. It is a set of birth defects or problems. Sometimes people call these problems Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. These problems can be minor or severe. But they are all caused by the same thing. These problems are caused when a pregnant mother drinks alcohol. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it is like her unborn baby is also drinking alcohol. This alcohol can affect the unborn baby in many different ways. Physically, a child with FAS may look different than normal children. A child with FAS may also have mental problems. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can damage a forming baby.

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But, there is good news. People can prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. If a woman completely avoids alcohol while she is pregnant, she will avoid giving her baby Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. But some women have a very difficult time avoiding alcohol. Some women just do not know that alcohol can affect a forming baby. Some health care workers do not have enough knowledge about FAS. And some women get false information from their doctors, friends, or families about alcohol and pregnancy. But the problems from FAS influence individuals, families, and whole communities. That is why three parents decided to take action.

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In October of 1998, a small group of parents met together for the first time. They included Bonnie Buxton, Brian Philcox, and Teresa Kellerman. Bonnie, Brian and Teresa all had children who suffered from FAS. Many of the parents had adopted their children. They accepted children into their families that they did not give birth to. And some were foster parents. They were taking care of the children temporarily.

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Raising any child can be difficult. But raising a child with FAS can be even more difficult. Children with FAS may suffer from mental and physical problems. All of the parents were part of an online support group. They communicated with each other through the internet. All these parents could talk together about experiencing similar issues with their children.

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Many of the parents in the group noticed a lack of knowledge about FAS. The general public, and even many doctors, did not know about the effects of alcohol during pregnancy. But the group of parents could clearly see these effects in their children. They wanted to spread this information.

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Bonnie, Brian and Teresa began an international organization called FASworld. They used their website, FASworld.com, to spread information about fetal alcohol issues around the world. One way they could spread information and raise awareness would be to set a special day. On this day, people all around the world could think about the problem of FAS. A woman is pregnant for nine months. So, they decided to make the number nine very important in their idea. On the ninth minute of the ninth hour, of the ninth day of the ninth month of the year 1999, people would stop and think about FAS. And that is just what happened! They called their event FAS Awareness Day. Groups in almost every time zone took part in the first celebration.

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Since then, every year on September nine, more and more people around the world celebrate FAS Awareness Day. Some celebrate by ringing bells or playing other instruments. The simple music of bells helps people remember the innocence of children. But the sound of bells can also be a warning, a mark of an important moment, or a sound of joy. FASworld believes that the sound of bells on FAS day can be all three of these things!

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Some celebrate FAS day in a minute of quiet thought. From 9:09 until 9:10 they stand quietly and think. They remember the people they know who suffer from FAS. They think about the people who have FAS and do not even know it.

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On September nine, 2007, the world will again celebrate FAS Awareness Day. When the clock says 9:09, people all around the world will stop what they are doing. They will ring bells or quietly think. What will you do?

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One FAS group asks the question: At this special minute of history, could we begin to change the world?

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FAS Day is about more than just thinking. It is also about acting! September nine is the perfect time to spread information about FAS. How can a person do that? FASworld has some suggestions!

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You could hang a poster! The FASworld website has examples of posters to print. Hang these informational papers at your place of work, your place of worship, your university, or local store.

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You can ask a city official to make an official declaration of the day. You can visit the FASworld website for examples of official documents.

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Or, you could plan a public information table. Set up a table in a public place. Offer information about FAS. You can find a lot of information on FASworld's website. We will include this web address on the script page for this program.

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Small actions can produce big results! Each year FAS day grows. Each year, more people learn more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. You can help FASworld spread their message around the world! During the nine months of pregnancy, while breastfeeding or planning to conceive, women should not drink alcohol.

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No child should suffer from a preventable condition. The FASD Association of San Antonio in the United States is one group that will be celebrating FAS Awareness Day. They have provided

a pledge, or promise, that people can say for this event. Information and support can help decrease FAS. It begins with a promise!

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I am aware that drinking any alcohol at all during pregnancy may cause permanent brain damage to the baby. Therefore, I declare that I will support and encourage my partner, my friends and my family members to be alcohol - free during pregnancy.

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Can we change the world in one minute?

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The writer and producer of this program was Liz Waid. Computer users can hear more Spotlight programs on our website at www.Radio.English.net. This program is called The Ninth Day of the Ninth Month.

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If you have a comment or question for Spotlight you can email us at radio @ english.net. We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!