At the official opening of the Headquarters and Training Centre of FASD Ireland, the Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte TD, stated that Ireland is ready to adopt the Sunflower as the symbol for hidden disabilities.
Minister Rabbitte shared her views at the event in Ennis, County Clare, on the importance of recognising Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and the value of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in helping to make non-visible disabilities visible.
“The Sunflower is a very discreet way of doing it but it’s a very public way of doing it, And I think we're ready for that. I think Ireland is in a very positive space when it comes to disabilities at the moment. We want to be part of the conversation; we want to be part of the acceptance.”
Cathal Crowe, TD, a former primary school teacher, supported this as he spoke about his experience of FASD and hidden disabilities in the classroom and in public life,:
“When something isn’t seen, it isn’t always understood, and people don’t always give that person some latitude. The Sunflower symbol is now something we want to spread across Ireland for hidden disabilities.”
Guests included Clare Colleran Molloy, Mayor of Ennis; Margaret O'Brien, CEO Ennis Chamber of Commerce; Cathal Crowe TD; Senator Timmy Dooley and Paul White, CEO Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. There were also representatives from the Health Service Executive, Ennis CAMHs and Rice College, as well as the Haven Hub and Novas Ireland.
FASD Ireland and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
FASD Ireland was established in Ennis, County Clare in September 2021 to be the ‘go to’ hub for everyone living with FASD, including families, carers, teachers and the wider community across Ireland.
As well as a collaborative working agreement with the HSE Alcohol & Mental Health & Wellbeing Team, FASD Ireland is the sole distributor for Hidden Disabilities Sunflower across Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Sunflower has one simple purpose: to let people subtly know that the person who has chosen to wear it, or someone with them, has a non-visible disability and may need extra help, understanding, or just more time.
Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, welcomed the relationship with FASD Ireland:
“Through Tristan’s hard work and success with the Sunflower in Ireland, we are helping to fund and support people and families who are living with FASD. FASD is a true hidden disability and very few people who have FASD will have any physical signs. In Ireland, FASD affects 4.75% of the population, and globally, Ireland is the 3rd largest in terms of the number of people it affects. The Sunflower will always support people whose disabilities may not be visible”.
Clare Colleran Molloy, Mayor of Ennis also shared that she has a hidden disability and was proud that both FASD Ireland and Hidden Disabilities Sunflower had chosen Ennis as a base.
In this interview, you can hear Tristan Casson-Rennie and Scott Casson-Rennie talking with Clare FM's Alan Morrissey about FASD Ireland and Minister Rabbitte on the challenge of acknowledging FASD in Ireland.
Is FASD a disability?
FASD is a lifelong disability and there is no known cure. It is an umbrella term used to describe a number of conditions that can be caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy. These are Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), Alcohol Related Neurological Disorder (ARND), Partial Foetal Alcohol Syndrome (PFAS) and Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (NDPAE). Alcohol consumed during pregnancy is carried by the mother’s blood and passes to the baby through the umbilical cord.
Tristan Casson-Rennie, CEO of FASD Ireland and Regional Director, Ireland for Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, said:
“We were honoured to have Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte and so many people involved with FASD attend our official opening. Minister Rabbitte’s speech recognising FASD as a disability gives hope to the many thousands of people in Ireland living with FASD. We have one simple message for Ireland - alcohol should not be consumed whilst pregnant.”
How common is foetal alcohol syndrome Ireland?
FASD is Irelands largest preventable neuro-developmental disability. It is estimated to affect around 600 babies born each year in Ireland. In addition 80% of women in Ireland expose their babies to alcohol in-utero.
According to figures published by the World Health Organization in 2017, it is estimated that approximately 600 babies are born each year in Ireland with the syndrome. Ireland ranks third out of 187 countries for prevalence of FASD, behind South Africa and Croatia.
It is also estimated that up to 40,000 people with FASD are currently living in Ireland.
World FASD Awareness Month
FASD Ireland gave guests advance screening of their campaign that was launched on 1 September across all major social media platforms to recognise World FASD Awareness Month. “You never drink alone when you are pregnant” gives advice that if you are thinking of having a baby or are already pregnant, then you should stop drinking alcohol.
Notes:
- JAMA Paediatrics published August 2017 (https://www.imt.ie/news/ireland-third-highest-rate-fasd-06-09-2017)