Special People
Ardyce and Gary Turner
Bethel, Alaska
Many people in Alaska are helping to improve the quality of life for people with FASD and assist in prevention efforts. One however, stands out in my mind. Over the past ten years (and longer) Ardyce Turner has changed how people view individuals with FASD . As a dedicated parent advocate, community educator, and activist she has challenged ineffective service delivery notions, enacted systems change, and prevented FASD by supporting women in making healthy choices during their pregnancy.
Before there were formal FASD Diagnostic Teams in the State, Ardyce sold crafts to fundraise so Dr. Clarren would come to Bethel. She elicited financial and other support from community members to support women going to treatment. And despite it being against her nature, she spoke out at school board meetings and community gatherings for the needs of her son and other children with FASD . She educated herself on FASD and shared her knowledge with others.
As former FASD coordinator at YKHC,
Ardyce served as a member of the Bethel Community Diagnostic team,
she reestablished Bethels FASD parent support group, inspired Bethel's
volunteer FASD Task Force, serves on Alaska's Steering Committee
on FASD, is an inspirational supporter of the sobriety movement,
a devoted parent of a young adult with FASD, and parent navigator.
Ardyce is now sharing her skills and expertise as a Children's
Service's Specialist for the Bethel office of the Division of
Family and Youth Services.
But mostly, Ardyce Turner is a personal inspiration. She forced me to write grants, serve as the FASD Task Force president, quilt for every craft fair in Bethel to raise funds, sell fry bread in the AC every Mothers day to encourage sobriety, speak in public, and offer trainings. A lot of what I know about FASD I learned with and from Ardyce Turner. In the times before the Federal monies, Ardyce made a lot happen with very little resources.
For everything Ardyce Turner accomplished, her husband Gary was a major force behind it. He was shuttling people around, lugging boxes filled with pop, crafts, and well you name it. Gary was always there cheering Ardyce on attending trainings and telling members of the Task Force that we were doing a good job. During those early days of activism Gary stayed at home and was a single parent while Ardyce traveled to villages and throughout the State to give trainings and attend meetings. Gary was at many of the FASD task Force meeting, he was active in the sobriety movement, on his own terms he has long advocated for the needs of individuals with FASD. Gary is a kind, dedicated, and caring man and today is supporting the youth of Bethel through his work as a Juvenile Probation Officer for the Bethel DJJ Office. Together with his wife, Ardyce, he has done an inspirational job in changing attitudes about FASD.
On November 22, 2002 Ardyce and Gary Turner received the "Carolyn and Arnold Wilson Award for Excellence in FASD Prevention and Advocacy," an annual award given each year to an individual or individuals who inspire all of us working in the field of FASD to do more, do it better and never give up. Thank you Ardyce and Gary.
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