The Official Website of Author Jan Crossen

About the Author

Jan Crossen, B.S., M.S.A.

 Jan's interest in the welfare of children began years ago when she was a high school teacher and coach in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA.  Jan was a mentor for many of her student athletes, and maintains contact with several of them even today.

For years, Jan has sponsored children living in developing countries around the world.  Recently, she was asked to serve as a court appointed surrogate parent for two young siblings living in foster care in Arizona.  

At the conclusion of a court hearing, The Honorable Judge said to Jan, "On behalf of the State of Arizona and Pima County, I want to thank you, Ms. Crossen, for your commitment to the welfare of these two children.  I wish that all of our surrogate parents and Court Appointed Child Advocates were as dedicated and involved with the children as you have been."

Jan has always dreamed of creating her family through adoption.  Her vision became a reality in 1999 when she adopted her son, Joshua.  The books in the 9 Lives trilogy were inspired by their lives together.

 

A Note From The Author

Joshua

My son, Joshua, was the inspiration for this series. The stories are fictional, but the behaviors and experiences are typical for someone affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). A developing fetus, exposed to even a small amount of alcohol, can suffer permanent brain damage. Statistics show that 1 out of every 100 babies born in North America has been exposed to alcohol, while developing in his mother's womb. Sixty percent of all women, of child bearing age, consume alcohol. Fifty percent of all pregnancies are not planned. Many women drink alcohol before they realize they are pregnant, and by then, the brain damage may already have been done. No amount of alcohol is safe to consume when a woman is pregnant. Individuals with FASD have poor impulse control, memories, and deductive reasoning skills. They are neither able to learn from their mistakes, nor able to connect cause and effect. The number one issue for children, teenagers, and adults with FASD is behavioral problems. An FASD child does not mature socially and responsibly like his peers. An eighteen year old with FASD may physically look like others in his age group, but his thinking and maturity level is comparable to someone half his age. A person with FASD may get a job, but holding it is a huge challenge. Most employers don't realize their new hire has a disability, and soon fire the employee for not showing up for work on the correct days, frequently coming in late, or being unable to follow the dress code or work instructions. Many of the young people in our special education classes, juvenile detention facilities, federal prisons, and living homeless on our streets, suffer from undiagnosed FASD. According to a U.S. government report from 2000, it costs taxpayers $1.2 billion dollars annually to fund these special education classes and juvenile justice programs. There is no cure for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Our hope comes from creating awareness and educating our young people. We must inform and train our educators, social workers, and those working in the juvenile justice system. We need to educate our lawmakers and provide programs that support the special needs of individuals and their families. FASD is 100% preventable. Let's share the message and promote alcohol free healthy births and babies.