Liz Kulp, was diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) as a young teen. Knowing her challenges and understanding her strengths helped her graduate from public high school and strive to move on to independent adulthood like her peers. But, she soon learned that life within the context of a family that understood and helped her gain the desire for independence had not prepared her to live in a world filled with predators and abstract thinking. Liz unashamedly lets readers inside the hidden world of adult transition for many of our young people with FASD. It is a story you will not soon forget.
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With unashamed honesty, Liz Kulp, once again opens the closed doors many families face daily loving human beings with complex neurological, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral damage. Beaten. Made fun of and shunned. Kicked and contained, Liz puts a face on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) for the tens of thousands of US babies born each year.
I grew up with Liz, she is my heart sister and I lived in the Kulp house for almost five years. I was no easy teenager. And blend Liz and I together. World, you best just watch out. Karl’s strength balances Jodee’s nurturing. It is a healthy place to safely grow. They changed my future because of how they parented me and Liz changed me as a woman. Liz adds reality to the adult lives of hundreds of thousands of adults who spend their lives in prisons, institutions or life on the street. She exposes what can happen once childhood is over.
How much alcohol really harms a baby?
When is alcohol the most harmful to a fetus?
These questions are still not answered and I “REFUSE” to take such a risk when valuable and precious cells are growing each second! I really don’t have the capability to know which ones I can kill.
-- Anna, Liz's Heart Sister
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From Liz
I was born an addict and ever since I was tiny I have overdone, overlooked or overwhelmed myself.
I was born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, otherwise known as FASD.
That means my mom drank while I was trying to grow in her stomach and
because of her drinking some of my parts got mixed up and didn’t grow too well.
My differences are hidden and that’s a real pain, because it is easy to judge a person
by what you see.
The most difficult parts of my life are caused from my brain, which was probably the most affected. I have trouble learning new things and I live in a world that is louder, softer, harder, scratchier, noisier, shakier, slippery and more chaotic than most of the people reading this. I want you to imagine what it is like to feel the seams of your socks, the label on your clothes, the flicker of fluorescent lights, the mumblings and rumblings of every noise around you, and then try to learn new things.
Overwhelming.
Yes, that is what it is often for me.
