Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, mental retardation at NOFAS
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National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Protecting children and families by fighting the leading known cause of mental retardation and birth defects
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“I've learned to cope with my disability. I've come to terms with the fact that I have fetal alcohol syndrome. I had spent my whole life feeling sorry for myself, going 'why did this happen to me' and blaming my mother for it, because she drank. But blaming others for it wasn't going to make it easy. Now I'm actually in a position where I can help others with their disabilities because I can relate to them.”
Erica Gites-Miles

Josephine O'Brien Tavenner Memorial

Josephine Tavenner, the mother of NOFAS Vice President and National Spokesperson Kathy Mitchell, passed away on July 13, 2008 in Olney, Maryland. In tribute to Mrs. Tavenner, NOFAS has established a memorial in her name.

The NOFAS family expresses our heartfelt sympathies to our dear friend and colleague, Kathy Mitchell, and to Mrs. Tavenner’s sister Jackie Connolly, other daughters Jacqueline Windrow, Patricia Werner, Cecelia Griffis, Maureen Katzenberger and Colleen Tavenner, son Tommy Tavenner, and 23 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

The service was held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at Barber Funeral Home, 21525 Laytonsville Road, Laytonsville, MD 20882. The Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, July 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 4101 Norbeck Road, Rockville, MD 20853.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that tax-deductible donations be made in her honor to the Josephine Tavenner Memorial. Proceeds to the Memorial will support the effort to educate the public, professionals and policymakers about the tragedy of alcohol use during pregnancy and support children and adults living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Checks to the Memorial should be made payable to NOFAS and sent to:

NOFAS, Josephine Tavenner Memorial,  900 17th Street, NW, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20006. Contributions may also be made online using your American Express, Visa, MasterCard or Discover Cards via Paypal: By clicking here Josephine O'Brien Tavenner Memorial

Copyright 2001-2004 National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome