The Better Safe than Sorry Project with Dr. Susan Rich & Fatima Iqbal

I’m thrilled to remind listeners/viewers that I am a nominee in the “Society & Culture” category of the Women in Podcasting Awards. In fact, today, Sept 30, is the last day of voting! Please take a few minutes to follow this link: https://www.womenpodcasters.com/vote to vote for Living with FASD! Your vote would go a long way in helping me gain visibility and get my message out into the world! Instructions: follow the link, choose Society and Culture from the category drop-down menu, and scroll down to Living with FASD. Please vote for only ONE podcast, as multiple votes will nullify your votes. Thank you in advance for your support! In this episode of "Living with FASD," Dr. Susan D. Rich, a child psychiatrist and author, and her intern, Fatima Iqbal. This episode delves into the impactful "Better Safe than Sorry" project, aimed at raising awareness about fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and the dangers of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Dr. Rich, who has long advocated for FASD awareness, shares the history of the "Better Safe than Sorry" project, which she initially launched in 2014. The project began as a local campaign in Potomac, Maryland, involving high school students from Winston Churchill High School. The goal was to educate young people about the risks associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy, even before a woman knows she is pregnant. One of the key highlights of the project was a multimedia presentation for graduating seniors, emphasizing the importance of avoiding alcohol to prevent prenatal brain injuries. Dr. Rich explains that the effects of alcohol can start as early as the earliest weeks post-conception and can even affect male sperm up to three months before conception. The project also included a collaboration with Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington to distribute condoms with educational bookmarks, reinforcing the message that if you are using alcohol, you need to contracept. Fatima Iqbal, a politics major from the University of Maryland, shares her journey of becoming involved with the project. She was inspired by Dr. Rich’s passion and the alarming statistics about FASD. Fatima’s fresh perspective and dedication have been instrumental in reigniting the project and pushing for policy changes at the county level. The episode also touches on the challenges faced in advocacy and public awareness. Dr. Rich and Fatima discuss their efforts to get alcohol signage laws passed in Montgomery County, Maryland, and the resistance they have encountered. Despite these challenges, they remain hopeful and determined to make a difference. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of education and advocacy in preventing FASD. It highlights the need for accurate information and proactive measures to protect future generations from the harmful effects of prenatal alcohol exposure. If you would like to suggest topics for the show or to say hello, you can reach me at [email protected].  If you would like to suggest topics for the show or to say hello, you can reach me at [email protected].  I am a Certified Facilitator of FASCETS Neurobehavioral Model. If you would like information about the neurodevelopment model and would like to book training for agencies or community groups, please reach out to me here: https://calendly.com/kaspertrainingandcoaching/consultation If you would like to talk with me about coaching services, either as a parent of a child with FASD or as a neurodivergent adult (perhaps by listening, you’ve begun to question if prenatal alcohol exposure could explain some of your struggles in life), please reach out to me here for a complimentary consultation: https://calendly.com/kaspertrainingandcoaching/introductory-chat-with-patti As always, thank you for tuning in this week. Please consider liking/subscribing/sharing this podcast. Have a wonderful week! Until next Monday, Patti Kasper Your FASD Coach