Education Assistant

"Taken in by a loving family at the age of eight weeks, Alanna grew up in the majestic wilderness of the Yukon mountains. Because her mother drank heavily during pregnancy, Alanna's development was seriously compromised. She has fetal alcohol syndrome [FAS]. She will never be like other kids. Tackling the subject with sensitivity, Julie Plourde's documentary speaks to the heart. Alanna is a wake-up call about a tragedy that's largely underestimated by the public but of growing concern to health professionals around the world." -- NFB website.

Three families are in crisis, each struggling with a child's severe mental illness and desperately seeking treatment in the face of limited resources and support. The guilt and isolation parents feel can be overwhelming, as is the constant worry that their child may harm themselves or others -- and while treatment can greatly improve outcomes, appropriate care is a luxury only for those who can afford it, or who happen to live in states with free or affordable treatment.