Ann Gibson Memorial
September 19, 2004
Ann Gibson, the FASworld Deutschland Coordinator, has passed away.
Ann died at the age of 49, one day after the 6th FAS Day and on the eve of the World Children's Day, having been a powerful fighter for the well-being of children affected by prenatal alcohol exposure FAS. Herself being a foster mother of an FAS-child she founded FASworld Deutschland to assist foster, adoptive or biological parents in their daily struggle, raising awareness in public, in schools and among other professionals and caregivers to the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Ann successfully attended a special course for FAS specialists and advisors offered by the University of Wisconsin. This training enabled her to approach authorities, assist parents and carers in a more professional manner. In late February of 1999 a small group of burned-out parents set out to change the world by founding FASworld. One of the first people who volunteered was Ann Gibson. Within 24 hours she picked up the ball and ran with it, not just in Germany but in making contacts across continental Europe. On the first FAS Day, Ann spearheaded events in three German cities with the help of her daughters and other friends! She rounded up the best medical experts, had bells ringing, and encouraged the rest of them. None of them was in this to take credit or make money or get famous. All they wanted to do was prevent more FASD births and help those children and adults who had been born affected.
Since then many other nations joined. Therefore not only Germany mourns now over the loss of Ann but groups from Canada, USA, Luxemburg, Poland, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Austria, The Netherlands and many other nations, too Messages of condolence from all over the world reach the homepage of www fasworld.de. This shows how much the work of this courageous woman who dedicated her life to FAS is appreciated worldwide. And this shows how much Ann herself was loved by so many people. Ann was always a totally selfless person. She was brilliant and creative.
It was Ann's wish too, to win the European Groups to unite in a European Organisation named FAS Europe. Now her dream came true. When on the 18th of September 2004 the Symposium of FASworld in Berlin/Germany came to an end, the representatives of many European countries withdrew to found FAS Europe.
Alan, her husband, gave this news to Ann on her deathbed. One day later we all had to say good bye. Ann, we miss you.
Managing Committee
FASworld Deutschland
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