Personal experience adds to expertise

The director of the fetal alcohol assessment and treatment program for St. Catherine's Center in Albany, a joint venture with the Center for the Disabled, adopted a son with FAS through Community Maternity Services of Albany in 1989.

Seth Shea was born with a cleft palate. When he was three years old, an MRI revealed that he'd had a stroke while in utero as a result of FAS. His natural mother admitted drinking a pint of rum, followed by a six-pack of beer, on a daily basis while pregnant with him.

Now 10, Seth has been diagnosed with FAS as well as delayed motor skills, and speech, language and cognitive delays. He has severe behavioral effects and has needed intensive services in school. Because children with FAS tend to have smaller than usual eustachian tubes, they have chronic ear infections. Seth has had 17 tube placements in his ears.

"He's been a great teacher," Mrs. Shea observed. "I wouldn't be doing the work I'm doing if it weren't for him. He's a challenge, but he's also an incredible source of joy." Seth's future, she added, is "very guarded. I'm not sure he ever will be able to live independently."

This is one reason Mrs. Shea believes so firmly that FAS must be addressed in terms of funding and education. "The cost to society of these children is staggering," she stated. "The impact is huge." (KB)

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