Melissa Dobson
Melissa is a parent of three children, all adopted at birth, all prenatally exposed to alcohol and all amazing. She holds a PhD in biochemistry where she discovered genes involved in Vitamin B12 metabolism. From scientific bench work, she went on to expand her horizons as she realized she needed to shift her career so she could support her children while also pursing her career. For over a decade, she has ben an instructor at a polytechnic institute in a Bachelors of Technology Management program. Combining her passions of teaching, learning and supporting families like hers, she is embarking on a life that blends these three roles. She has various student projects that help support children with disabilities, including those with FASD; she keeps learning and thinking and trying ways to redesign systems for supports; and she is involved in numerous organizations and committees to support children with neurodevelopmental delays. All these are efforts to try and shift the needle for children like hers to flourish.
Joyce Fast
Joyce Fast lives in a small town in southern Manitoba with her 6 children and husband. She loves working in a personal care home for seniors as a Health Care Aide and been there since 2003.
Joyce’s compassion for the vulnerable led her and her husband to start fostering in 2010. Through this experience she started to learn about trauma, attachment and FASD. When one of her daughters was diagnosed with FASD in 2017, Joyce went in search of learning as much as she could to aide her own daughters development. This naturally led her to becoming a family supporter and FASD advocate in her community. In 2020 Joyce and Randy added 3 more kids to their home and work tirelessly to support and help their children.
Recently Joyce took her knowledge and skills and started working as an EA in her local school to support her kids and support the school. This has pushed Joyce to use and develop her knowledge and skills even more.
Seeing the struggles individuals with FASD face, and the misunderstanding of the diagnosis that many people have, has fueled Joyce to reach out and support and teach about the diagnosis. She has become a caring advocate for many families. This also led her to try helping on a larger scale and joined the FAC family. Joyce is excited to work alongside like-minded people and to help grow awareness and supports for people with FASD and those who support them.
FASD is hard and very misunderstood. Joyce is hoping to change the world’s views about FASD and bring hope to individuals living with FASD and help to teach people to be tolerant and understanding of those who are different and those who are living with FASD.
Pamela Belanger
Originally from Kahkewistahaw First Nation -Broadview, Saskatchewan, but I lived in Regina most of my life. I’ve worked in the human services field since 1995 and convocated from the University of Regina Social Work faculty in 2003. I have been employed with Eagle Heart Centre (EHC) since 2012, and I gradually transitioned into the Team Leader position. I currently supervise the Adult Mentoring Program (AMP) team who provide support services to adult with cognitive disabilities, such as FASD and the Housing Supports team.
I actively participate in different committees that include: Cognitive Disability Steering Committee, Cognitive Disability Strategy Intake committee, Regina FASD Network, and Provincial FASD Coordinating Committee. I also participated in the Canadian Mentoring Project in 2019-20 and delivered FASD presentations to Aboriginal Head Start programs throughout the provinces.
I have also had other opportunities to deliver presentations to highlight the unique services provided by the Eagle Heart Centre – Adult Mentoring Program. My highlight of presentations was at the Calgary FASD Conference held in October 2017.
I am very compassionate about my work and my involvement has been rewarding. I will continue to embrace the journey and emphasize the importance of FASD awareness through education, advocacy, and supports within the community.
Lara Frederick
Lara lives in a small, rural community in northern British Columbia and is a mother to four children, two through surrogacy and two through adoption. Lara’s adopted daughter was prenatally exposed to alcohol and is a bubbly, kind, and compassionate girl. Lara holds a masters degree in nursing which is focused in the fundamentals of teaching. Lara is a life-long learner and recently completed a certificate in leading remote teams from Cornell University, which directly applies to her full-time role as the Regional Manager for Public Health Practice in Northern Health Authority, British Columbia. Lara is passionate about teaching and learning and through these efforts Lara is exploring ways to address disparities experienced by those with FASD, including her daughter.
Alicia Munn
I am from Fredericton New Brunswick; married my high school sweetheart. I have two children ages 20 and 9. My son has a diagnosis of FASD. My daughter has a Diagnosis of ADHD. My children are my passion. They are kind, compassionate, talented individuals. They both have beautiful gifts to offer the world.
Working in a vocational setting set the presidency for my work experience with vulnerable populations. This gave me the opportunity to work with adults with intellectual disabilities and special needs. Respite care was presented to me by a family and I have the privilege of offering respite to several families during my life. I am also a Licence Practical nurse with extensive experience in various sectors of health care including but not limited to med surge, psychiatry and emergency room. Advocacy is important to me it speared my passion to create the Fredericton FASD support group which provides inclusion, support, advocacy and awareness to individuals with FASD and their supports. As a support group we have been able to host and successfully have 2nd annual FASD Camp. We have been in operation since 2019 and offer supports to over a 100 families. I am also on the committee for the NB Parent Advisory committee.
During my different careers I have received training in Gentle Persuasive approach in dementia care, non-violent crisis training, FASD training. I have also attended many conferences and webinars about FASD, Trauma.
Dorothy Reid
Dorothy Reid is the owner of Reid Wellness Consulting, providing consultation and training to individuals and organizations on maintaining wellness. Dorothy worked with the Correctional System primarily in the area of mental health service development and delivery. She has extensive professional experience in working with individuals with FASD and other mental health concerns and developed interventions for offenders with cognitive deficits. After obtaining a diagnosis of FASD for their two sons, Dorothy and her husband have been involved in the development of support groups for parent and caregivers of children with disabilities.
Danette Wright
I am a mom of 3 children, my oldest having FASD. I graduated from the University of New Brunswick with my certificate in FASD Studies. I have lived in Grande Cache, Alberta, my entire life and loved being the FASD Support Worker, and being on the Family Advisory Committee will be another way for me to help the FASD Community.