It's called "Finding Joy in the Journey."

That's the theme of Saskatchewan's Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Network's Parent Retreat in Moose Jaw, taking place Friday (May 26) at the Western Development Museum. 

About 300,000 Canadians live with FASD - a "highly complex cognitive disability with a wide range of effects" according to the FASD Network. And, as the name implies, FASD can occur when a woman consumes alcohol during pregnancy. 

"There's so much stigma and so many negative misconceptions about this disability," says Shana Mohr, Training Coordinator with the FASD Network and mother to a daughter with the disability.  "We want to challenge people to see beyond the stigma and celebrate those with FASD."

"They're bad moms, selfish," said Mohr, outlining what they believe are some of those misconceptions. 

"Who knows the minute they're pregnant?" she continued. "You can stop drinking when you find out you're pregnant, but what if you're already three or four  months along?  Lots of people think it only happens to people in poverty or of a different culture.  It doesn't discriminate."

Mohr says the Parent Retreats are a valuable event for parents like herself, and other family members. "You meet other parents who get it.  You go and can have the conversation, share stories and strategies. Connecting with other caregivers is life changing."