Ann Streissguth wrote a wonderful, warm letter to the campers. Her letter will be published in a book that Ann is writing for young adults with FAS disorders. When it is posted on her website, we will include a link here.

She wrote that parents who raised the children who are now adults did not have information about what would help them and did not have support during the growing up years. Parents had a hard time figuring out why their children had such a hard time catching on to things, but they somehow figured out how to give them the extra help they needed.

Ann tells the young people that she understands how hard it is to ask for help, because sometimes they didn't know what they needed, and didn't know how to ask for help. She explains that many professionals really don't understand what FAS and FAE means, and that many communities don't know how to provide young adults with the help they need.

She reminds us that what works for one person might not work for another person, and that even though many individuals have the same diagnosis, they are each different as well. She encourages young adults to "know yoursef, and what works for you."

Her tips for work include finding work that you like and that you are able to to. She suggests that it is usually helpful to tell your employer about your disability and about what you need to succeed at work. She said it is important to know who to talk to if you are confused or if problems pop up. She suggests that young people let their parents or advocate help with planning a budget for spending and saving.

Ann gives several suggestions for enjoying a healthy life style, including the following: Exercise every day, sleep well every night, eat a healthy diet, and stay away from alcohol and other drugs. She says again to learn to ask for help when you need it. Do something in the community, find a hobby, and do something fun every day.

She closed her letter with this old Swedish proverb:

"No one fails who has done their best."

Ann Streissguth's letter in full is now available at her website: http://depts.washington.edu/fadu/Streissguth.campletter.html.