|
|
Public Health and Emergency Response Monthly Newsletter |
|
|
|
|
|
Partnering for Vaccine Equity Community Highlight In
early November, Able South Carolina’s Disability Health Equity
Coordinator, Ebony Deloach, and AmeriCorps member, Meghan Bayer joined
the Northeast Columbia Empowerment Coalition’s third annual health fair!
Alongside partners like AARP, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department,
United Healthcare, and Luxe Homecare, Able SC participated in this
educational opportunity dedicated to building a strong, caring community
for seniors & people with disabilities. Each
partner, including Able SC, shared an introduction about their
services, helping attendees connect with essential resources. At the
event, Able SC focused on raising awareness about vaccines &
tackling misinformation. They distributed hundreds of COVID test kits to
attendees, helping ensure the community has easy access to tools for
staying healthy and informed. The day was filled with activities focused
on self-care and well-being, lively music, raffle prizes, and plenty of
opportunities for everyone to connect and enjoy each other’s company.
Able South Carolina was thrilled to be part of this empowering community
event! For the latest information on COVID-19 and influenza, visit Able SC’s Partnering for Vaccine Equity website.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and those around
you from these illnesses—stay informed and stay healthy! |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Preventing House Fires & Winter Resources Staying
warm in the winter is important, but this needs to be done safely.
Heating fires were the second leading cause of home fires in 2021. Below
are tips to help you prevent a fire in your home:
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, stoves, radiators, heaters, and candles.
- Always plug space heaters directly into an outlet.
- Make sure electric cords are not damaged or frayed.
- Do not use an oven to heat your home.
- Have a smoke alarm on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms every month and regularly change their batteries.
- If you
are deaf or hard of hearing, use smoke alarms with a vibrating pad,
flashing light, or strobe light. These accessories start when your alarm
sounds.
- Have heating equipment, like a furnace or chimney, inspected by a professional before cold weather season each year.
Additional Fire Safety Resources: Home Fire Safety (FEMA) Fire Safety for People with Disabilities (FEMA/U.S. Fire Administration) #WinterReady Resources |
|
|
|
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
is a type of depression that typically occurs during specific seasons,
most commonly in the fall and winter months. Common symptoms include:
- Feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- Increased sleepiness and fatigue
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Social withdrawal and irritability
The
primary cause of SAD is believed to be related to changes in light.
During the shorter days of fall and winter, less sunlight can throw off
your body’s internal clock. This can lead to higher levels of melatonin,
a hormone that helps regulate sleep, which can affect your mood and
energy. Treatment Options Fortunately, there are effective treatments available for SAD:
- Light Therapy: Exposure to a bright light box (10,000 lux) for about 30 minutes each morning.
- Counseling: Talking to a therapist can provide support and coping strategies.
- Medications: Antidepressants may be prescribed to help manage symptoms.
- Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can also help manage symptoms.
When to Seek Help:
If you or someone you know is struggling with symptoms of SAD that
affect daily life, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider. SAD
is a serious condition that can impact anyone, but knowing the symptoms
and treatment options can help you find relief. Remember, you’re not
alone, and there are effective ways to tackle those seasonal blues! Resources: Winter is coming. Here's how to spot — and treat — signs of seasonal depression (NPR) Seasonal Affective Disorder (Johns Hopkins) Seasonal Affective Disorder (NIMH) |
|
|
|
Living with Dynamic Disabilities: Molly Dickerson, Able SC Intern Hi!
My name is Molly Dickerson. I am a public health intern at Able SC, and
I live with a "dynamic disability." You might be wondering, "What
exactly is a dynamic disability?" Let me explain! Disability is often
thought of as something that stays the same, but as disabled people, we
know that’s not true. Many disabilities change over time—symptoms can
worsen or improve. Dynamic disabilities are those that vary from day to
day. Some days may be harder, while other days are more manageable.
These disabilities can come and go, sometimes flaring up like an
illness, then easing off. Because of this, they may not always be
visible to others, but the challenges are still very real. I live with
rheumatoid arthritis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, which I experience as
dynamic disabilities. Some days, I deal with a lot of painful symptoms,
while on other days, the symptoms are less intense. There are times when
I need to use accessibility devices to help me live, work, and enjoy
life, and other times when I don’t. Often,
my symptoms are invisible to others, and I can be in pain even when no
one knows. Living with a dynamic disability means I have to plan
carefully and follow a routine of medications, treatments, and therapies
to avoid flare-ups. Some days, it takes a lot of effort just to feel
okay. How
someone views their condition, or whether they consider it a dynamic
disability, is personal and depends on their experiences. For example,
someone with more advanced rheumatoid arthritis might experience it more
consistently, without the ups and downs that I experience. It's a good
idea to ask friends with chronic illnesses how they experience their
condition. Remember: Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not
there! For more resources on dynamic disabilities, check out:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Public Health Initiatives
Able SC provides advocacy and education to ensure that disability
is represented in all areas of public health. We have established state
and national partnerships with public health entities to ensure the
needs of the disability community are included in all programs and
services. We also offer direct programs to ensure people with
disabilities have access to the information and resources they need to
lead healthy, active, and independent lives. |
|
|
|
|
Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Services
We organize the SC Disability Partners in Disaster Planning Coalition
to ensure people with disabilities are being included and receiving
equitable services throughout the state in all aspects of emergency
planning. We also provide individual services to assist people with
disabilities to prepare for emergency disasters, get the resources they
need before, during and after emergency disasters |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Able South Carolina
720 Gracern Road Suite 106 | Columbia, South Carolina 29210
803.779.5121 | advocacy@able-sc.org |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
