Vivian Botka

NOFAS is pleased to honor Vivian Botka in this edition of the FASD Hall of Fame.

Vivian Botka became an FASD advocate inadvertently, while searching for services for her child and others like her. Vivian adopted her daughter Kristy at 6 months knowing she had problems, but unaware of the severity until she was diagnosed with an extreme case of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Frustrated with the lack of services, she contacted professionals in the FASD field who advised her to replace her anger with advocacy which could lead to positive actions and better services for children with FASD and their families.

Vivian decided that educating her state was going to be the key in getting families the help they needed. Vivian participated in NOFAS’ Hill Day events and has continued to rally congress for services not only for her daughter, Krisy but other individuals living with FASD. Vivian met with Senators Richard Durbin and Barack Obama and sought their support in co-sponsoring FASD legislation and seeking additional funds for prevention and treatment programs. She spent countless hours on the phone finding out how other states created their Task Forces . She organized meetings with Illinois representatives who took an interest in FASD, and formed an alliance with Illinois Prevention First. Vivian’s efforts are slowly paying off. On September 19 2005, the day a comprehensive FASD legislation was reintroduced in congress, Senator Durbin, one of the original co-sponsers of the bill said, “I have met with many families in Illinois who have made real for me the challenges, the frustrations and the hope that come with fetal alcohol syndrome disorders. Vivian Botka brought a picture that her 22-year-old daughter Kristy had colored with crayons. Kristy requires around-the-clock care”.

Through her perseverance, she was instrumental in organizing the Illinois State FASD Task Force. Chaired by Illinois Representative Paul D. Froehlich and coordinated by Prevention First, the task force will determine the gravity of the problem in Illinois and evaluate measures of prevention, treatment and support for those affected by it. The Task Force is continuing to grow and Vivian’s goal of meeting the needs of individuals and families living with FASD is becoming a reality. The task force is only one of Vivian’s accomplishments in being a successful advocate for the issue. She works with the Arc of Illinois, the March of Dimes and other non-profits in the region to create more awareness for FASD. Vivian also is an information resource person and regularly refers people to appropriate services in Illinois.

NOFAS salutes Vivian and wishes her the best in securing the necessary services for Krisy as well as for a being a powerful voice and a champion for this cause.