Bio

Elizabeth (Anne) Russell: is a recovering alcoholic who in 2001 found that her addiction had physically harmed her two sons. Her eldest son Mick, who is 29 years old, was diagnosed with Neuro-developmental Disorder-Alcohol Exposed and her youngest son Seth who is 25 years of age has full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.  Anne is now in recovery and with her recovery comes the determination to find a way, through love and understanding to assist her sons; but even more to awaken Australians to the hideous dangers of alcohol and pregnancy presently unknown to the vast majority of people in Australia. Anne believes that those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action and she feels that the birth mother’s perspective is one which is least heard when it comes to this condition. To this end she has written from this unique perspective three books on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome:  ‘Alcohol and Pregnancy – No Shame,  No Blame’ and ‘Alcohol and Pregnancy A Mother’s Responsible Disturbance’ and the first book in the world on employment strategies for people with FASD called ‘Strategies for Employment Services Specialists’