Sask. man advocates for those living with FASD
What began as a journey of healing for Niall Schofield has turned into an advocacy mission to help people understand living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
“It’s really when I started embracing that I have FASD that I actually started to propel in success,” he said.
Schofield is among the four per cent of the Canadian population who lives with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Shana Mohr, the training manager for Saskatchewan’s Fetal Spectrum Disorder Network, said the rate of FASD is higher than the combined rates of autism, Down syndrome, Tourette syndrome and cerebral palsy.
“That being said, FASD is probably one of the most significantly under funded disabilities in Canada.”
Schofield believes more can be done to help better educate people about FASD.
“People’s perceptions of you change immediately when they find out you are affected by FASD. The stigma is very, very strong and unfortunately it takes lives.”
This reality is the inspiration behind the network’s newest campaign.
“When someone says ‘oh I have FASD’ often people’s first thought is to go to something negative,” said Mohr.
“They are not recognizing all their strengths and all the positive qualities that they bring to the world.”
Schofield was featured in the advertisement showcasing his clothing line Douglas Bird.
“I took the trauma and all the things I have overcome and then I put the message into my clothing.”
Schofield is also the president of the Diamond BMX club in Warman and there are plans to create a state of the art indoor BMX facility in Saskatoon.
He started riding when he was seven, he said.
“My older brother raced and so did all his friends and the track was local. I just loved it.”
Schofield hopes his story will inspire others living with FASD.
“My last word would be to not give up hope and to always focus on your dreams.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Closing arguments heard in trial for Sask. dad accused of abducting daughter
Closing arguments were heard Thursday morning in the case of Michael Gordon Jackson, the Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter in 2021 to keep her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.