Changes was honored to recently welcome international spokesperson Emily Hargrove who came to our facility to talk about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Her inspirational message of hope, perseverance, and lifting up those who have been disenfranchised is the true embodiment of the ‘love you back to life philosophy’ that embodies everything we do here at Changes, and we were thrilled to hear her speak. 

Emily’s story is one of faith and inspiration -- at one year of age, she was diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome, a life-long, full-body diagnosis from a Vanderbilt Clinic. Although she received a grim prognosis from doctors and was told she would likely never succeed in school, believing God always has something bigger for each of us, she decided to become more than a statistic.

She now uses her voice to empower others who, too, have felt disenfranchised and her God-given love of learning to research the very thing with which she has been diagnosed.

Emily spoke to the women at our facility about her journey, the signs of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, the treatments that are available, and how to overcome life’s challenges. The knowledge she shared even led one person in attendance to reach out to her doctor to get her son evaluated. 

An accomplished and passionate speaker, Emily’s credentials are unparalleled. Since 2008, she has traveled as an educator, self-advocate, and speaker presenting to various local, state, national and international audiences sharing her personal story of adoption, faith, FASD, and resiliency as well as research. As a member of the International Adult Leadership Collaboration (ALC), Emily partners with changemakers across the globe, building partnerships and alliances that aim toward strengthening the voices of adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and creating environments that cultivate inclusion and success while mitigating stigma.

 She is a founding member of the first national self-advocacy network, Self-Advocates with an FASD in Action (SAFA) and is a former expert panel member for SAMHSA’s FASD Center for Excellence, co-authoring treatment and intervention protocols implemented throughout the United States.

Emily graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in Psychology and Counseling and minoring in Christian Ministries, holds a Master’s of Philosophy in Psychology, and presently, is a PhD Candidate with a dissertation focus on FASD and spirituality. Serving alongside her husband, Jace, as the next-generations pastors at Relevant Church in Paducah, they are fervent about lighting the fire within their students. Serving on a local Miss America Scholarship Pageant board, Emily has a passion of leading other young women to lead through fostering interview skills, networking, platform and resume building, and instilling the value of service.

In addition, Emily has had the privilege of holding various pageant titles including Miss Illinois Outstanding Teen 2008 as well as holding finalist placements for both the Miss Illinois and Miss Illinois USA systems. She and her husband reside in Paducah with their one-year-old bundle of joy, Elias.

We were honored to have Emily speak and even more excited that she has agreed to come back to our facility and speak again.