Charity launches in Ayrshire for children exposed to alcohol in the womb

A charity which will support children with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) has launched its new pioneering centre in Ayr.

Oshay’s has opened its doors to the centre which will be a safe haven for families affected by FASD.

Full-time foster mum Maryelen McPhail started the charity after fighting for her adopted children, who each live with FASD.

Daughter Paula McPhail, 21, and Taylor McPhail, 26, have grew up with the condition.

Maryelen hopes to break barriers and end the stigma of the condition which she says affects 285,000 people in Scotland alone.

FASD is a condition common in children who have been exposed to alcohol in the womb.

The condition can lead to a spectrum of physical, emotional, behavioural and neurological characteristics, and can impact a child's development.

The centre, said to be the UKs first facilitator for families opened with a day of celebration at its home in Glenmuir Place on Saturday, November 6.

Ayr MSP Siobhian Brown opened the new centre and was joined by local councillor Laura-Brennan Whitefield.

Maryelen hopes the space can be a ‘judgement free zone’ for mothers who have exposed their children to alcohol when pregnant as she hopes to reach out to hundreds of families who don’t know where to turn.

The condition can affect the baby if any alcohol at all is consumed during pregnancy and the risk is there from the first day.

Maryelen hopes to spread awareness and has urged anyone who thinks their child may have FASD to get in touch.

Maryelen told Ayrshire Live: “We are going to be the first facilitator in the UK for FASD.

“I am a foster carer, me and my husband Billy have been fostering kids for over 15 years.

“We have adopted kids with FASD, 80 percent of kids brought into care in the UK have FASD.

“We have never given up fighting for each child we have adopted — we always say that the children can’t change so the adults will have to change around them.”

The centre will launch a programme of sensory groups for baby’s, parenting groups for first time parents and foster carers.

Maryelen added: “It was great to get up and running and we are looking forward to being able to support families and children affected by FASD.

“We have a great deal of facilities and ways that we can offer that support including a sensory room and conference room where we can offer different activities to help children have a greater understanding of their FASD.”

For more information on FASD you can visit https://www.oshaysfasd.org/

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