Jasmine S.

Jasmine S. is the 19 year old daughter of Mickey and Dianne. She graduated Scotia Glenville High School in June 2008. Jasmine was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Effects when she was 3 years old. Jasmine was a general session speaker, along with her mother Dianne and sister Elizabeth, for the Sharing Personal Stories panel at the 2008 Building FASD State Systems meeting. Jasmine is interested in bringing her voice to the SAMHSA FASD Center for Excellence Expert Panel on how FASD has affected her life and finding ways to help families and caregivers living with FASD lead successful lives.

Jasmine recently talked with NOFAS Program Manager, Brianna Montgomery.

BM: Thank you, Jasmine for agreeing to be interviewed for our “Get to Know Me” series. We are so excited to learn more about you. First question, how does having FASD affect your life?

JS: For me I feel like I always have to be one step ahead of everybody because I don’t always understand everything. I have to really pay attention all the time. If I don’t pay attention I miss things. It also affects my social life because people do not understand that I have a disability. There is information out there, but not a lot of people have access to it. It’s hard.

BM: I hear that you recently had a baby. Congratulations! Do you want to tell me a little bit about what it is like having FASD and being a parent?

JS: Thank you, I have a son. He makes it a little bit easier for me, but I have a lot of help. I have a notebook that I use as a schedule for all the things that he will need and what I need to do. I always refer to that. My mom also helps me a lot. My son is really good and makes it really easy.

BM: That’s wonderful! What is his name?

JS: Avery.

BM: What a cute name! Congratulations again! The next question that I have for you is, what do you believe needs to be done to address FASD in the community and among experts in the field?

JS: I have been thinking about how we need FASD education in public schools. We learn about all sorts of diseases in health class, but FASD never comes up. There should be a little course in health class on FASD.

BM: That’s a great idea. We have a curriculum that hopes to achieve that. As an individual with FASD how important is it to you to educate others about the disorder? What have you done?

JS: It is a really big problem. When I had my baby I also had a friend that drank the whole time that she was pregnant because she had no idea about FASD. By the time that I found out she was pregnant, it was too late for me to educate her about it because the damage was done. If she would have been educated her child would not have as many problems as he does.

BM: What other things have you done to educate others?

JS: I tell people about my story and tell them that this is a real problem and no one should drink while pregnant. It’s worse than cancer.

BM: Definitely, it’s a lifelong disability. What skills have you adapted to overcome the challenges of having FASD that others may benefit from? You have already shared that you use schedules, what else works for you?

JS: I started really early in my life and my mom got me in to a support group for kids with FASD. The programs there were instituted in to my life really early on and that helped me more than anything else. In school I had aides to help me organize myself. I had to learn to accept help.

BM: I know it’s sometimes hard to accept help. What other things have helped you?

JSO: Resource room in school was very helpful and being scheduled with after school sports and homework.

BM: You enjoy playing sports? That is a great segway in to my next question, what are some of your personal interests?

JS: I love to write. I have been writing a story since I was a freshman in high school. I still haven’t finished it yet. I like to write songs and draw. I think I am very creative. I also enjoy playing basketball, but I am busy with work now, so I don’t play very much.

BM: Where do you work?

JSO: I work as a Deli Clerk at Price Chopper.

BM: Do you enjoy your job?

JS: Sometimes. It gets overwhelming, but it’s an easy job.

BM: One more question, what do you want others to know about FASD?

JS: That’s a tough one. There’s so much. The most important thing is how it affects younger children. If you educate younger people, it is going to change faster. Younger people are our future.

BM: Very true. Those are all of my questions. Thank you again for interviewing with me. It has been wonderful speaking with you!

JS: Thank you.