Hi!

My name is Liz and in 2010 I won the Canadian Starfish Award for the courage to build awareness of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). That's when my second book, Braided Cord - Tough Times In and Out was introduced in Vancouver.

I have known about FASDs since I was twelve, that's when my family and I discovered the reason my behavior and learning could be a struggle and challenge. At that time I asked my adoptive mom, Jodee, to help me write a book. We wrote The Best I Can Be, Living with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Effects and during my teen years we spoke in the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia telling people about how complicated this disability is to live with.

Mom homeschooled me after we learned I had a brain injury, and together with a lot of other people who cared about me she set up a brain training camp/school in our house and homeschooled me for five years. During that time she kept a journal or ideas and what worked and what didn't. That became our book Our FAScinating Journey - Keys to Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury.

I worked really hard as a teen and we started theMoAngels. That was a girl group that sang and rapped. The website is still available for teens that want to know more about being a teen with FASDs and being a good friend to teens. I also started the community service project called Blankies for Babiesand have tied hundreds of blankets for new moms to prevent FASD - you can too!

When I became a young adult I had really hard times and people took advantage of me. I kept a journal writing my thoughts and how I understood what was happening. That journal, along with notes and records from people who helped me grow into a safer adulthood became Braided Cord - Tough Times In and Out. My book, Braided Cord, is more than just a memory of my years of transition. It is also a guide to help teens and parents talk about 'real truth' that can happen to 'real people' — even them!

Persons with FASDs	Friends & Family	Braided Cord Teams
Tips to make life easier Meet Others with FASDs Liberty Ridge Concepts	Importance of Friendship Family Ideas | Community Public Awareness | Safety	Healthcare | Social Services Education | Employment Safety | Housing | Judicial