Elaine Cousineau

Elaine was born and raised in the little village of Londesboro, in Southern Ontario. Her love of children took her to Copper Cliff, Ontario, where she taught kindergarten for two years. She then moved to Sault Ste. Marie, where she taught kindergarten for two more years then stayed home to fulfill her life long dream of being a mom.

Having two biological sons, and adopting a beautiful little baby girl, Elaine and her husband anticipated normal ups and downs of family living, but nothing had prepared them for what happened when their daughter approached puberty.

The Power Point presentation prepared by Elaine holds the key to the roller coaster ride they lived, for nearly 15 years. Had someone told them the information outlined in this presentation, the heartache and pain experienced could have been lessened.

But no one told them!

Now living in North Bay, Ontario, Elaine has been involved in her community trying to education other about the devastating effects of alcohol to an unborn baby. For the past 7 years, she has been giving presentations to many organizations throughout the city and neighbouring communities. She has presented to church groups, elementary and secondary school teachers as well as to North Bay jail staff members, service clubs, probation officers, mental health workers, and many other front line workers. She has been invited annually for many years to present to the students in the Faculty of Education at Nipissing University as well as at Northern College, in Kirkland Lake Ontario. She has presented in communities in Southern Ontario as well.

Elaine belongs to the FASD Stakeholders of Ontario (see www.fasdjustice.on.ca) as well as FASD North, a local grass roots organization promoting FASD awareness in Nipissing District.

Unable to find much information in Ontario, Elaine educated herself, by attended every conference, seminar and workshop on FASD that she could find. She searched the web, took courses on line and by correspondence and purchased materials wherever she could. Because she secured so little information about Ontario's FASD problem, she distributed pamphlets, from Alaska, showed videos offering help in British Columbia and communicated with other parents around the world to learn more. She attended the FASD conference in Vancouver B.C. where world renowned doctor and author Ann Streissguth spoke. Also, presenting his most recent finds was Dr. Stirling Clarren, another leading doctor.

Elaine attended workshops on Native reserves being aware that the native communities are much more knowledgeable about FASD than are the non-aboriginal people. It has been her experience that they are only too happy to share their information and for that she is truly grateful. The Union of Ontario Indians provided her with many resources and opportunities to learn, when Elaine first began researching FASD materials.

Elaine took a course from the Saskatchewan Institute of Science and Technology in 2004 and one from the University of Wisconsin in 2003. She has attended numerous conferences where she met other parents struggling with their children's bizarre behaviors. She continues to travel to conferences at her own expense, bringing back information to her community.

In 2005, she was hired by Community Counselling Centre in Nipissing to complete a Needs Assessment to identify the gaps in services for families coping with FASD. The contract was funded by the Crime Prevention Centre. Health Care providers, Social Workers, Educators, members of the judicial system and Religious leaders were targeted.

The following recommendations were made, based on the Needs Assessment:

That a Resource centre for FASD be established in Nipissing District to provide the community with books, videos, public presentations and the opportunity to meet with others coping with FASD. (This service would also be for the surrounding communities within the catchment area of Nipissing District.)

That FASD awareness presentations be offered in every surrounding community in Nipissing as are being done in churches, service groups and agencies/organizations in North Bay.

That the proposed Resource Centre makes an initiative to unify the efforts being made in separate pockets in the community. The following associations have a wealth of information and are extremely willing to share their knowledge and experiences:

That there be training offered to various disciplines within the service sector who participated in the Needs Assessment. That FASD professionals from Alberta, Saskatchewan or British Columbia, should be consulted to develop provincial resources and support services as has been already done in the western provinces. That Basic FASD Awareness Training should be offered continuously, to ensure that a fundamental level of knowledge is maintained despite staff turnover in various fields of work. That an organized network of FASD coordinators across Ontario (particularly No Ontario) should be established to share knowledge and develop programs and leadership within each community. That attempts to made to address any barriers between agencies and/or cultures, which impede the prevention, intervention or treatment for FASD. That attempts be made to erase the stigma for birth moms who are addicted to alcohol so they can freely ask for help. That the stigma of having a diagnosis of FASD should be removed so children can benefit from all the strategies that work for FASD.

Elaine has been instrumental in having a telediagnostic clinic launched in North Bay, in partnership with St. Mike's Hospital in Toronto. Northern Ontario families no longer have to travel to Toronto to receive a diagnosis.

"There is no known safe level of alcohol that can be consumed while pregnant!"

Testimonials

"Elaine has demonstrated her expertise in FASD, and her excellent ability to work with families."
Dr. Brenda Stade, FASD Diagnostic Clinic, St. Mike's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario.

"You had my full attention throughout the entire presentation...Keep up the great work. You are making a difference."
Paula, FASD Awareness committee member

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"I was mesmerized by the wealth of knowledge and its accuracy"
Cynthia, FASD Awareness committee member

"Your caring heart and ceaseless energy has brought comfort to many. Thank you for your work on behalf of our clients."
Member of the addiction team at Community Counselling Centre, North Bay, ON

"You are a pioneer in this field and your pursuits have not gone unnoticed."
Addiction Team Supervisor at Community Counselling Centre

"You had my fully attention throughout the entire presentation. Keep up the great work. You are making a difference."
FASD Awareness Committee Member

"The presentation was a real eye-opener and a must for all. I thought I knew what FASD was, but I didn't... Thanks for enlightening me."
Student at Nipissing University

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"Very touching facts. I gave my 110% attention all to you. I would like to join with you on spreading the message to people."
Rheal, Father attending Family Enrichment Program

"Elaine's presentation show she knows what she is talking about. We would do well to understand people with major life problems, rather than judge."
Marie Robbins, President, International Training in Communication

"The personal comments add so much to the presentation"
Heather, FASD Committee Member

"Very powerful...touches people at a different level"
Monica

"I got a lot of information I needed to know"
Marion, Student-Family Enrichment program

"Excellent presentation-very powerful and informative"
Nadine, Parent attending Family Enrichment Program

"You have a passion for your subject and it comes through in your excellent presentation. Your message is compelling and important. You are a wonderful 'voice' for all unborn babies."
Geraldine Lightfoot, D.C., Motivational Speaker, Author of : "If It Isn't One Thing, It's Another" and "Life Is Incredible!"