The Mabie Family

Tom and Susan Mabie are the parents of nineteen-year old Samuel, whom they adopted at the age of one month. When Samuel was ten months old they began asking doctors for help in diagnosing and problem-solving Samuel’s violent rages, but he was not diagnosed with FAS until he was six years old.

A year after his diagnosis, the Mabies moved to Maryland. Realizing that Samuel was going to need much more help than the public school system was able to provide, not only educationally but socially and emotionally, Susan began homeschooling Samuel, researching and developing an educational program that was tailor-made for his learning style. At the same time, the Mabies sought out medical help to find the right blend of medications, as well as therapy, to help with Samuel’s severe behavioral problems. Not willing to accept apathy or ignorance from doctors and therapists who were unwilling to learn about FAS or listen to their expertise (or pleas!) as parents, they continued to search until they found professionals who would partner with them to provide the best help possible for Sam.

The family also was accepted into a wraparound program, a strengths- and family-based, holistic approach to wrapping supports around families who have children with behavioral needs. The wraparound team, which consisted of friends who know, love, and understand Sam; wraparound professionals; a therapist; and school personnel, gave the family the hope, support, and expertise they needed to become more stable and to begin planning for Sam’s future. Samuel re-entered public school in grade seven with a solid social and educational foundation, and thrived in their Learning Center/Learning for Independence program, gaining more skills and making many new friends.

This past spring, Samuel completed twelfth grade and walked across the stage with his classmates. His hard work and achievements while in school did not go unnoticed. He received an award for outstanding academic achievement and was also one of a small group of students who received the “Most Improved Student” award, having been nominated by several of his teachers. He works at a grocery store and is supported by Marriott Bridges to Work, a program that helps high school students to transition into the workplace.

For the next two years, Samuel will continue to work and attend a new school program where he will learn more independence skills. The Mabie family is being greatly helped by the FAS clinic that was started by Dr. Paula Lockhart at the Kennedy-Krieger Institute; they receive treatment there that is helping them to support Samuel as he grows into adulthood. Samuel also continues to receive medication management there. Living with the realities of FAS and additional mental health issues continues to be a challenge for the Mabies, but having knowledgeable, caring treatment has enabled them to provide a structured, stable environment where Samuel is able to thrive.

A caring friend discovered NOFAS for the Mabies when they were greatly in need of a support group; they have been attending the group ever since and have begun helping with its facilitation. They have become involved in advocacy for persons with FASD and lobby with NOFAS each year on Capitol Hill. Susan testified at the US Regional Town Hall Meeting on FASD, and Tom testified before the MD State Legislature on behalf of the need to train educators and medical professionals about FASD.

Susan’s hope is to one day help facilitate the opening of a group home that specifically addresses the needs of persons with FASD. In the meantime, she and Tom continue to encourage, speak out, and do all they can to support others living with FASD and their families.