Wounded In The Womb

2011-10-09T16:41:00.000-04:00

If you are familiar with the concept of “the external brain”, imagine how you can apply this to a service dog. We create external supports for individuals with FASDs service dogs that help them make good choices, offer companionship and provide trust and guidance. One of Iyal’s external brains walks on 4 paws!
To add to this amazing experience we were delighted to have well-known FASD parent-advocate and published author, Jodee Kulp, join us for some of the training in Ohio. She has been breeding poodles at her facility Knarlwoods in Minneapolis. Jodee, a founding Board Member for MOFAS began a pilot training program in her area. She has trained "Limey" to work with a 21-year old young man with FASD named Ken. Unbeknownst to me until just a few weeks prior to leaving to get Chancer...I had not heard of anyone with a FASD using a service dog! Now, we not only returned with our new miracle for Iyal and our family...but Jodee and I had a chance to meet, (connect as only parents of children with FASD can) brainstorm and hopefully collaborate with our FASD efforts. To find out more about Jodee and her work visit www.betterendings.org.
Thank you for sharing in our adventure. There is so much more to tell you about the miracles these Service Dogs are bringing to families all over the world. If you have time and interest, visit the 4 Paws website at www.4pawsforability.org. You may also contact me at dkwinokur@gmail.com or see our website at www.thechancerchronicles.com . Perhaps in your or your child’s future there will also be a furry vehicle for healing like Chancer.

Certified Behavioral Assistance Dogs

2011-03-31T06:00:00.002-04:00

How do service dogs help individuals with hidden disabilities like FASD? Service dogs assist in several ways: they provide the child/adult challenged with this type of disability an opportunity to safely access different environments which result in improved communication and social skills. The dog's presence offers a calming influence and provides a sense of security to the child and the parents. Research shows that abstract and concrete thinking advance, focus improves, and the length of attention span increases. Emotional outbursts occur less often. The important role of the service dog is affording the individual more independence and autonomy, helping them become a viable part of the community at large.

4 Paws for Ability

2011-03-25T06:00:00.002-04:00

In all my research with interventions and treatments for FASDs I had not found a mention of assistance dogs trained for this specific lifelong disability. As I learned more how service dogs were taught to help children with autism...the more excited I became about the possibility of a dog learning to assist Iyal! After reading several books and researching online I submitted an application to an agency in Xenia, Ohio, called 4 Paws for Ability. They were the first agency that began to train dogs to help children with Autism among other disorders. Within 10 months we would be blessed with a best friend for Iyal, named Chancer. Chancer was a 2 year old pure bred Golden Retriever who weighed 85 lbs!

The search for a service dog

2011-03-21T06:00:00.002-04:00

In the spring of 2006 I began to research everything I could get my hands on about service dogs. I was aware of the support that Guide Dogs for the visually impaired and Mobility Assistance dogs could provide. I had also heard about Seizure Alert Dogs and those that were trained to help individuals with hearing Impairments. I found several articles illustrating how service dogs were now being trained to assist those with "invisible disabilities" like autism, psychiatric and behavioral disorders.

Inherited trauma through adoption

2011-03-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

Treading water, we were always looking for new therapies, ideas...anything to help Iyal feel more in control and better about himself. Often internationally adopted children have experienced neglect or other kinds of abuse. As Iyal grew chronologically, attachment issues and post-traumatic stress responses became part of our landscape.

Impulsivity Rules

2011-03-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

Because of the nature of Iyal's organic brain injury, most medications do not result in positive outcomes. In fact, they tend to make his symptoms/behaviors worse. While we have also used Physical, Occupational and Speech therapies...FASD seems to "live" outside the boundaries of these treatments...stubborn to change. Behavior Modification requires an ability to anticipate consequences for actions taken. Many people with FASDs cannot easily “learn from their mistakes". Their short term memory is limited, and unable to control impulses...they often act before they "think".

From Russian with love and boo-boos on the brain

2011-03-11T06:00:00.001-05:00

Our son, Iyal, was born in Astrakhan, Russia over 12 years ago. Iyal was adopted by my husband and me at 14 months and was diagnosed with partial fetal alcohol syndrome (pFAS) at 4 years and 4 months. In 2002, fetal alcohol effects (FAE) was the term given to the approximate 90% of prenatal alcohol exposed children who did not exhibit the full features of the most severe form, fetal alcohol syndrome. Now, in 2011, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders FASDs is the umbrella term used to describe the wide range of affects that can occur if a fetus is exposed to alcohol. pFAE has been replaced with a different name, alcohol related neurodevelopment disorder (ARND). The alphabet just gets longer.

Where is the life-jacket?

2011-03-07T06:00:00.003-05:00

FASD is like the undertow...it lies in relative silence beneath the surface of the individual gathering its energy and force. Marked by co-existing disorders and peculiar characteristics, the ebb and flow of these behaviors are not exactly invisible, but can remain hidden. Some symptoms can be as gentle as a tide or swell like a tidal wave, engulfing the individual and often the caregivers or family. Living with a child affected by prenatal alcohol exposure is like living with the constant anticipation of an impending hurricane. Witnessing your child drown in a whirlpool of chemical imbalance and then resurface, keeps you hyper-vigilant for finding safe ports in the storm.

Finding faith in fur and four paws

2011-03-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

Okay. So maybe you have to be an “animal person”. Or perhaps you have to be the kind of parent who is driven to find solutions for seemingly unsolvable challenges. Since receiving our son’s diagnosis of FASD, we have been humbled in ways we could never have expected. Our experience has redefined the word humble for the rest of our lives.

A “label” that needs to be shared

2011-02-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

As a mom of a child with FASDs I advocate for my son every day. Through him every aspect of our life is shaped with unique questions. We struggle finding answers. What helps? Some people think that labels signify worth or value and don’t want one attached to their child. In my mind, as in clothes, a label or diagnosis of FASD tells others that my child needs to be “handled with care”. Without the appropriate label our kids are given plenty of others: lazy, defiant, dumb, difficult etc. Sharing the truth allows others to support my son and strengthen his self-esteem. You can only empower your children when you yourself are comfortable with your own reality. There is never any shame in telling the truth. And that…lasts a lifetime

Alcohol poisons possibilities for those who have been prenatally exposed

2011-02-18T17:05:00.000-05:00

The cultural stigma attached to alcohol prevents many doctors from informing their patients about the risks of drinking while pregnant. There is no known; safe amount, time or kind of alcohol that can be consumed during pregnancy. This disability is 100% preventable. The most severe form, fetal alcohol syndrome. Now, in 2011, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders FASDs is the umbrella term used to describe the wide range of affects that can occur if a fetus is exposed to alcohol. pFAE has been replaced with a different name, alcohol related neurodevelopment disorder (ARND). The alphabet just gets longer.

An alphabet soup of diagnoses

2011-02-09T06:00:00.001-05:00

FASDs are “hidden” disabilities. The prevalence of FASD is nearly 1 out of 100 live births in the U.S. Yet this lifelong disability is greatly misdiagnosed or never recognized for what it is. Accompanying organic brain damage from alcohol exposure, are usually other disorders such as; Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Sensory Integration Disorder (SID) or Oppositional Defiance Disorder (OCD). Average or above I.Q. disguises impaired intellectual disability creating false impressions of capability. Because FASD is so unfamiliar many kids go undiagnosed when early intervention can be so helpful!

Brain damaged before birth

2011-02-06T06:00:00.002-05:00

When a baby is exposed to alcohol while in their mother’s womb, they may be born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Similar to the autism spectrum, FASDs range from mild to severe in their impact on an individual and family’s life. The effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and or learning disabilities. 90% of fetal alcohol affected kids look just like your neighbor’s. Until you spend time with them.

It’s not just a phase.

2011-02-04T14:00:00.000-05:00

It’s going to last a lifetime. Everyone said “Don’t worry, she will outgrow that”. Your gut told you otherwise. Family members consoled you, “Oh every boy acts like this at 4!” That’s not what you thought. Friends offered “That’s nothing! You should see my son”. While said with good intent, you are left feeling dismissed and unheard. Invalidated. Still worried and no diagnosis in site! What’s going on?

Morasha Was Amazing on CNN

2009-10-24T10:19:00.000-04:00

too many balls in the air?

2009-10-16T20:44:00.000-04:00

I admit it. The last several weeks since the kids have been back in school have been a blur. Way too much going on. Even for me. The kids have adapted to middle school fairly seamlessly. Iyal has an Aide who was supposed to work with another sixth grader as well. Several weeks ago the other boy stopped going to the school. First Iyal said he was in the hospital or had cancer. Then he said he moved away and went to another school. Not sure what the story is. The upside is that Ms. Jones, Iyal's Aide can spend more time with him. The downside is that Iyal enjoyed having a buddy to hang out with at school.

It turns out that Iyal's Aide was actually a teacher at the temple pre-school when the kids were about 18 months old. Interesting cycle. We hadn't seen or heard about Ms. Jones in many years. Then the week before school starts, Harvey bumps into her in our town of Roswell. The conversation let to the kids and where they were going to school. When Ms. Jones found out that Iyal would be needing an Aide... she requested to work with him. Pretty cool.

The Story of Iyal - Life with a service dog and fetal alcohol

2009-09-16T13:25:00.000-04:00

Pregnant Pause Georgia 09.09.09

2009-09-12T22:04:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my blog

2009-09-01T17:10:00.000-04:00

The writing of Wounded in the Womb - is progressing.