Elizabeth Russell is a recovering alcoholic who in 2001 found that her addiction had physically harmed her two sons. Her eldest son Mick who is 25 years old, was diagnosed with Neurodevelopmental Disorder – Alcohol Exposed and her youngest son Seth who is 22 years of age has full Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Elizabeth’s story began over 50 years ago when she was born to a couple both of whom had their own serious psychological and psychiatric issues which impacted negatively on her when she was young. Combined with sexual and emotional abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, being caught in a firefight and a coup de tat, and being an active alcoholic for over 30 years, Elizabeth’s journey through life has been understandably difficult.
However she has emerged with a vibrant personality, an unimpaired sense of humour and a formidable quest. Having freed herself from the grip of active alcoholism on the 19th May, 1998, she 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 countless thousands of Australians to hideous dangers of alcohol and pregnancy presently unknown to the vast majority of people in Australia.
To this end Elizabeth has resolved to devote the rest of her life to the prevention, education and support of sufferers of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and their carers ensuring a positive consequence of her sons’ suffering.
Elizabeth has always been an advocate that if there is something wrong, those who have the ability to take action also have the responsibility to take action and has spent many years developing her coping ability and positive attitude. The responsibility of prevention and education from a birth mother’s perspective is now a responsibility she will never evade and to this end she has written from a unique perspective two books on FASD – the first two written and published in Australia.
—Noel (Elizabeth’s step brother)
NOTE - For those organisations, universities, medical professionals and any other organisatioin wishing to learn more about FASD, Anne is available for presentations on ‘Living with a child with FASD’ or any related topic