The ninth day of the ninth month symbolises the nine months of pregnancy, and events to raise awareness of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) are held globally throughout the month of September. And in New Zealand, we have the privilege of being the first in the world to mark it!
Red shoes are the international symbol for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness, and thousands of people around the world wear them on September 9. It's wonderful to have an international event, but we are working on creating an Aotearoa-specific one for 2023 – so you don't have to wear red shoes to take part in raising awareness around FASD!
• FASD is a lifelong disability caused by exposure to alcohol while in the womb.
• Rangatahi and tamariki affected by FASD experience physical, behavioural, emotional and learning difficulties that affect their interactions within education, health and justice settings.
• Currently the support for individuals with this neurodisability in Aotearoa New Zealand is very limited and many families face huge personal and financial difficulties as a result.
• With shared strength, guidance and wisdom, those with those with FASD can grow and achieve – ma te kaha o te kaha, te aratohu me te whakaaro nui, ka tupu te tipu me te whakatutuki i te hunga ki te FASD.
Click the headlines below to jump to each section.
The history of FASD Awareness Day
Recent leaps forward in Aotearoa
Why promote awareness of FASD?
Things you can do in your community!
Resources around alcohol/waipiro
FASD International Awareness Day was initiated by RJ Formanek, a Canadian adult with FASD who speaks out about his challenges around the world in conferences, online and in podcasts. He wanted to stand out and be noticed, and chose red shoes to express him
self. When people noticed them and asked him about them, it became a great opportunity to talk about his FASD.
In 2013, RJ met Jodee Kulp, an international speaker, trainer and advocate for those with FASD, at a conference in Canada. Sure enough, she asked him about his shoes and thought it was a brilliant initiative – and the Red Shoes Rock FASD international awareness campaign was born.
Five years later, in 2018, a new logo was created, with ‘Start the Conversation’ on it, with a more structured aim of building awareness of FASD, reducing stigma and help people understand more about the diverse symptoms of brain and metabolic injury which can be caused by prenatal alcohol exposure.
Our campaign in 2021 brought our mascot, Huu Whero (Red Shoes) the ittle kiwi to our community's attention. Accompanied by our Chairperson Leigh Henderson and her grandchildren, the intrepid Huu's adventures in the lead up to September 9 were documented on our Facebook page.
Since September last year, there have been some great leaps forward.
Here are some highlights:
Do it for all those who were born affected by prenatal alcohol exposure.
For all those yet to be born with FASD.
For the whānau who are raising children with FASD.
For the tamariki who have yet to be diagnosed with FASD.
For the adults who are living with FASD.
For the adults who do not know that they have FASD.
For the individuals who have a lifetime of medical and chronic illnesses because of FASD.
For the kaiako and schools trying to support children who have FASD.
For the communities who don't know how to help families affected by FASD.
For the medical and mental health professionals who want to know more about FASD.
For the researchers who are trying to find answers to help those with FASD.
For the justice systems that know we need new ways to support those with FASD.
For the governments that must change to help those with FASD and their families.
For the world to wake up to the knowledge about FASD!
There's a list of nationwide events here – do email us with your event to have it listed on our events page and we'll send you some of our new kiwi stickers for your participants to wear!
This year, the day falls on a Friday – which means schools, retailers and offices are OPEN – a fantastic opportunity to start conversations about FASD. NOTE: you don't have to wear red shoes to take part.
is about FASD awareness.
We have some Red Shoes logos, graphics, a graphic info sheet and a t-shirt design for you to download and print out as below. Click on the pics to go to the download page. Stay tuned – more on the way!
• You can also direct people who want to know more about FASD to our Resources page. Our FAQ section has lots of info too.
We also have an email template (in pdf format) which you can download, copy and paste into an email, edit as you wish, and send to your local MP. It asks them to advocate to Parliament on behalf of all people in their constituency whose lives are affected by FASD.
Click here to view the letter, download, edit and send (instructions also on how to find your local MP included).
Our friends at Alcohol Healthwatch are essential for monitoring alcohol harm in Aotearoa NZ.
Te Hiringa Hauora (Health Promotion Agency) has developed a digital toolkit of resources that can be used to support your promotional activities for FASD awareness month. You can view their toolkit here.
HPA also have a handy info sheet on alchohol-free pregnancy here.
If you need help with your drinking, call the Alcohol Drug Helpline on 0800 787 797, visit their website, or free txt 8681.
