Gabby and Joe Esmeyer
My name is Gabby Esmeyer, I am 13-years-old and I have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders are caused by the mother drinking alcohol during pregnancy. That is why I am here today to talk to you about my FAS. FAS affects my life in many ways. I cannot jump or run very well and my motor skills aren’t as up to par as most of the kids my age. I struggle in my classroom studies, I need constant help at school, and I am not very organized. I have a hard time keeping my room clean and remembering to do daily living tasks. I am very social and I know a lot of people, but sometimes I am TOO social, so in the classroom I drop whatever I am doing and lose my focus. I cannot do more than one thing at a time or else I become very frazzled, and either just give up on everything or just shut down. I am very unorganized and various teachers at my school have to help me pack my organizer bag and my mother has to label all of my school folders so I know which is what classroom stuff. I don’t have very many TRUE friends who see me as me and who I am. I rarely get asked to attend birthday parties or go to sleep overs at other girls houses. There are some other people who treat me very unkindly like I am a very different person. Sometimes I just wish they would be nice and remember I have feelings too.
My twin brother’s name is Joe Esmeyer and he also has FAS. It is hard to think when you have FAS which does not help his life at all. If something happened an hour ago, he probably would not remember it. His FAS also affects other people’s life too and causes a lot of stress for everyone in our family and his teachers at school. If he did not have our family to help him, he would probably not be able to function daily. He is in Special Education classes because he has FAS. His writing is bad and he cannot write in cursive because of his motor skills. He cannot think strait and sometimes needs help at school to figure something out. He takes medication for ADHD to try to help him focus daily in life and at school. He barely has any friends at school because of FAS and gets picked on and bullied because he is small. It is hard for him to go to bed because of his FAS and he only sleeps about 4-5 hours a night.
I belong to the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and my brother is in the Order of DeMolay, which is a brotherhood for boys. I love singing and being in plays at school while my brother likes anime and comic books, riding his bike, break dancing, playing with our five dogs, going to our brother’s house, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, and video games. He likes to read Percy Jackson books and has read them all.
Sometimes I wish I can take a magic pill and my FAS/FASD would be gone but other times I am happy just the way I am. I want people to know FAS/FASD is not all that bad, if you have great family and friends to support you. I have a wonderful mother, father, big brother, sister, and sister-in-law who help me and my brother with my FAS/FASD struggles.
Thank you for reading our story.
9 Comments for this entry
RITA
Hi Gabby! I loved your story. I miss seeing you and Joe. Hope to see you soon.
Vicki Campbell
I think you and Joe are 2 very amazing kiddos. You are very strong and have been put through much more than you should have ever had to. My prayers go out to you, Joe and your amazing family. I pray that everyone that bullies you and Joe will see this and understand that just because you are different in some ways does not mean that you don’t have feelings just like they do. I am so proud to know your family and feel that by getting the word out…..will help others some day. Take care of yourself, Never EVER GIVE UP and stand with your heads held high. You and your family have so many things to be proud of.
summer
Gabby you and Joe are very awesome people. I am glad that my neices look up to you, and Hunter has a friend ( brother ) like Joe. You both are wonderful and we all love y’all.
ur bastie hallie
Gabby u are so smart this has touched my heart and u no that u can always come to my house for slumber parties and u are always invited to my birthdays dont let bullies there talking about them selves 2 u i am soo proud of u u are so smart
Amands
WOW! I am so proud of you and Joe. You did an amazing job telling your story. You are such a sweet and caring little girl. It truly makes me sad that there have been people in your life that have made you feel left out. When I think of Gabby, I think of this precious little girl be-bopping down the hall, with a huge smile planted on her face, as she is telling everyone “hello”. I’m so honored to know you, and I can’t think of a more “social” qualified person to tell your story. Oh, and by the way, I thought of you the other day!!! I found the pink breast cancer stocking that YOU stitched for me all by your self! That’s how you are, always striving to put a smile on someone else’s face! Love You Girl, Amanda
Margo
Thank you so much for sharing your stories about living with FAS. It really helps professionals such as myself to hear first hand about your challenges and your needs so we can help you and others succeed in school,and in life. Thank you again.
Dianne in NY
Thank you Gabby and Joe for share your story with everyone. It is wonderful to see you advocating for yourselves at such a young age. You will go far.
Pamela
You are an insightful and brave young woman, with a very positive attitude about life. I almost started crying while reading this because it is hard to imagine a child being so aware and optimistic about their situation when it can be so difficult at times. I think that you and your brother will do great things, especially if you stick together. I wish you every happiness in life you wonderful girl!
Trish
Thank you for sharing your story, the information was very helpful and something that needs to be shared with more people. Good Job !