On the outside, Karli looks like your average 43-year-old woman. But sadly, her developmental age is that of a first-grader — and it all could have been avoided. You see, Karli's mother Kathy drank alcohol while she was pregnant. At the time, Kathy had no idea about fetal alcohol syndrome, an irreversible condition that can occur when a baby is exposed to alcohol in utero.
Kathy gave birth to Karli in 1973 at the age of 18. Now, over 40 years later, Karli still lives with Kathy and her step-father. Take a glimpse into Karli'e world and you'll see the life a little girl; her bedroom is full of dolls, Hello Kitty memorabilia, and coloring books. "She’s a forever innocent child," Kathy told the Washington Post. "But not a day goes by that I don’t ask myself, 'What if? What if alcohol hadn’t been a part of my life?'"
According to an incredible article in the Washington Post, "The effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) include impaired growth, intellectual disabilities and such neurological, emotional and behavioral issues as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, vision problems and speech and language delays. FASD is also sometimes characterized by a cluster of facial features: small eyes, a thin upper lip and a flat philtrum (the ridge between the nose and upper lip). FASD statistics are not definitive, but some recent research suggests that as many as 2 to 5 percent of children in the United States and some European countries might have some form of fetal alcohol spectrum."
For so many years, Kathy was plagued with guilt. Now 61 years old, she's vice president of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She's fully dedicated to spreading awareness about fetal alcohol syndrome and preventing other mothers from turning to alcohol while pregnant.
But the big question here is why? Why did Kathy drink while she was pregnant? What were the events in her life that led her to make such dangerous decisions?
Watch the video below to find out what Kathy has to say… her answer may surprise you.
H/T: Alexandra Rockey Fleming / Washington Post
