Finding Home
Many vulnerable adults with developmental disabilities spend their entire lives living on the margins of society. People with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder are often misunderstood, leading to significant gaps in social services. They have a high probability of ending up institutionalized, living on the streets, or dead. This is the story of one man’s journey with FASD. He was one of the many slipping through the cracks. But he’s finally found support, a family, and a home.
Reporter Disclaimer: Because Ben’s childhood was spent in Children’s services, most of his records are sealed and not much is known about his past, despite efforts to learn about his life. Some aspects are known, but due to confidentiality, the Skills Society (the organization that has supported Ben since adulthood) could not give me access to his foster parents or previous living arrangements.
I reported on this story differently because I had limited access. I spent two weeks with Ben and the Skills Society and recorded nearly all conversations, small details and important scenes. I went with Ben while he volunteered and I went with him to his medical appointments. I had interviews with different members of the Skills Society and managers of the Melcor buildings. I was warned Ben may embellish stories, so I tried to learn about every aspect of his life through day-to-day interactions; any fact I learned from Ben has been checked.