环球英语 — 216：The Ninth Day of the Ninth Month

　　Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight¹ program. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 3
“On the ninth minute of the ninth hour of the ninth day of the ninth month, we ask the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy², alcohol can be very dangerous to the baby. We also ask the world to remember the millions of people worldwide who will struggle with mental disabilities caused by prenatal alcohol.”
Voice 1
This is the request of FAS organizations worldwide. These organizations work to spread information about FAS – Fetal Alcohol Syndrome³.
Voice 2
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, or FAS, is a problem worldwide. It is a set of birth defects or problems. Sometimes people call these problems Fetal Alcohol Spectrum⁴ Disorders⁵. These problems can be minor⁶ or severe. But they are all caused by the same thing. These problems are caused when a pregnant⁷ mother drinks alcohol. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it is like her unborn baby is also drinking alcohol. This alcohol can affect the unborn baby in many different ways. Physically⁸, a child with FAS may look different than normal children. A child with FAS may also have mental problems. Drinking alcohol while pregnant can damage a forming baby.
Voice 1
But, there is good news. People can prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. If a woman completely avoids alcohol while she is pregnant, she will avoid giving her baby Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. But some women have a very difficult time avoiding alcohol. Some women just do not know that alcohol can affect a forming baby. Some health care workers do not have enough knowledge about FAS. And some women get false information from their doctors, friends, or families about alcohol and pregnancy. But the problems from FAS influence individuals, families, and whole communities. That is why three parents decided⁹ to take action.
Voice 2
In October of 1998, a small group of parents met together for the first time. They included Bonnie Buxton, Brian Philcox, and Teresa Kellerman. Bonnie, Brian and Teresa all had children who suffered from FAS. Many of the parents had adopted their children. They accepted children into their families that they did not give birth to. And some were foster¹⁰ parents. They were taking care of the children temporarily.
Voice 1
Raising any child can be difficult. But raising a child with FAS can be even more difficult. Children with FAS may suffer from mental and physical problems. All of the parents were part of an online support group. They communicated with each other through the internet. All these parents could talk together about experiencing similar issues with their children.
Voice 2
Many of the parents in the group noticed a lack of knowledge about FAS. The general public, and even many doctors, did not know about the effects of alcohol during pregnancy. But the group of parents could clearly see these effects in their children. They wanted to spread this information.
Voice 1
Bonnie, Brian and Teresa began an international organization called FASworld. They used their website, FASworld.com, to spread information about fetal alcohol issues around the world. One way they could spread information and raise awareness¹¹ would be to set a special day. On this day, people all around the world could think about the problem of FAS. A woman is pregnant for nine months. So, they decided to make the number nine very important in their idea. On the ninth minute of the ninth hour, of the ninth day of the ninth month of the year 1999, people would stop and think about FAS. And that is just what happened! They called their event FAS Awareness Day. Groups in almost every time zone took part in the first celebration.
Voice 2
Since then, every year on September nine, more and more people around the world celebrate FAS Awareness Day. Some celebrate by ringing bells or playing other instruments. The simple music of bells helps people remember the innocence¹² of children. But the sound of bells can also be a warning, a mark of an important moment, or a sound of joy. FASworld believes that the sound of bells on FAS day can be all three of these things!
Voice 1
Some celebrate FAS day in a minute of quiet thought. From 9:09 until 9:10 they stand quietly and think. They remember the people they know who suffer from FAS. They think about the people who have FAS and do not even know it.
Voice 2
On September nine, 2007, the world will again celebrate FAS Awareness Day. When the clock says 9:09, people all around the world will stop what they are doing. They will ring bells or quietly think. What will you do?
Voice 1
One FAS group asks the question: At this special minute of history, could we begin to change the world?
Voice 2
FAS Day is about more than just thinking. It is also about acting¹³! September nine is the perfect time to spread information about FAS. How can a person do that? FASworld has some suggestions!
Voice 1
You could hang a poster! The FASworld website has examples of posters to print. Hang these informational papers at your place of work, your place of worship, your university, or local store.
Voice 2
You can ask a city official to make an official declaration¹⁴ of the day. You can visit the FASworld website for examples of official documents.
Voice 1
Or, you could plan a public information table. Set up a table in a public place. Offer information about FAS. You can find a lot of information on FASworld’s website. We will include this web address on the script page for this program.
Voice 2
Small actions can produce big results! Each year FAS day grows. Each year, more people learn more about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. You can help FASworld spread their message around the world! During the nine months of pregnancy, while breastfeeding or planning to conceive¹⁵, women should not drink alcohol.
Voice 1
No child should suffer from a preventable condition. The FASD Association of San Antonio in the United States is one group that will be celebrating FAS Awareness Day. They have provided a pledge¹⁶, or promise, that people can say for this event. Information and support can help decrease FAS. It begins with a promise!
Voice 3
“I am aware that drinking any alcohol at all during pregnancy may cause permanent brain damage to the baby. Therefore, I declare that I will support and encourage my partner, my friends and my family members to be alcohol – free during pregnancy.”
Voice 1
Can we change the world in one minute?
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 pregnancy   

n.怀孕，怀孕期

参考例句：

• Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕早期常有恶心的现象。
• Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage.怀孕期吸烟会增加流产的危险。

3 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

4 spectrum   

n.谱，光谱，频谱；范围，幅度，系列

参考例句：

• This is a kind of atomic spectrum.这是一种原子光谱。
• We have known much of the constitution of the solar spectrum.关于太阳光谱的构成，我们已了解不少。

5 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

7 pregnant   

adj.怀孕的，怀胎的

参考例句：

• She is a pregnant woman.她是一名孕妇。
• She is pregnant with her first child.她怀了第一胎。

8 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

9 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

10 foster   

vt.收养，培养，促进；adj.收养的，收养孩子的

参考例句：

• Nowadays young couple sometimes foster.现今年轻夫妇有时领养别人的孩子。
• The captain did his best to foster a sense of unity among the new recruits.队长尽力培养新成员之间的团结精神。

11 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

12 innocence   

n.无罪；天真；无害

参考例句：

• There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
• The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。

13 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

14 declaration   

n.宣布，宣告，宣言，声明（书），申报

参考例句：

• We read the declaration posted on the bulletin board.我们读了贴在布告板上的声明。
• At the recent convention a declaration was adopted.在最近举行的大会上通过了一项宣言。

15 conceive   

vt.设想，构想，怀孕，受（孕）

参考例句：

• You may conceive a new world in the atomic age.你可以设想出原子时代的新世界。
• I can hardly conceive of your doing such a thing.我很难想象你会做出这种事情。

16 pledge   

n.保证，誓言，抵押，抵押品；vt.保证，誓言，举杯祝...健康

参考例句：

• Take this ring as a pledge of our friendship.收下这枚戒指当作我们友谊的信物。
• The old man is willing to pledge for him.那位老人愿意为他担保。