Public Health and Emergency Response Monthly Newsletter

Before we dive into our newsletter, we wanted to address feelings following Election Day 2024. You or the people you know may be excited. You or the people you know may be upset or afraid. When the results of an election don’t match how you feel, it can lead to a range of emotions, including fear, hopelessness, becoming angry, etc. These emotions are valid, and you are not alone. If you need to talk to someone, reach out! Ask for help if you need it. You may also find that our advice for reducing holiday season stress helpful.

We are here for you and will continue to follow our mission; to equip, educate, and advocate for people with disabilities.

Able SC Partnering for Vaccine Equity Campaign Recognized by the American Public Health Association

Able SC is excited to be recognized by the American Public Health Association for our "I Got Vaccinated For..." video series. These short films feature disabled people from different backgrounds sharing their personal stories about getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

A unique part of the series is that people shared their stories in both English and their native languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, and Telugu. This helped make the videos accessible to more people and broke down communication barriers.

We made sure to include voices that are often overlooked. For example, the series features an Indigenous disabled person and a pregnant and nursing disabled person, as well as people from Black, Asian, Latino, and Lebanese backgrounds, all living with disabilities.

The series has had a big impact, helping to educate and encourage people in the disability community to get vaccinated. As COVID-19 continues to affect our community, we plan to keep using these films to support ongoing vaccination efforts in the future.

Watch the Videos on YouTube

Embracing the Holidays: Tips for Reducing Stress and Enjoying the Season

The fall & winter holidays can be stressful for many of us in the disability community, but with a little planning and awareness, you can manage stress and enjoy this special time of year. Recognize what may cause your stress—like money worries or family expectations—and plan for those before you get overwhelmed.

Reach out: If you’re feeling lonely, don’t isolate yourself. Join local community events, religious gatherings, or even virtual meetups (Able SC hosts these weekly). These can help you feel connected. If you’re stressed, talk to someone—whether it’s through a text, call, or video chat. Volunteering can also lift your spirits. Try helping a friend or neighbor by dropping off a meal or lending a hand.

Be realistic: Holidays don’t have to be perfect. People grow and traditions change. Keep a few traditions that mean the most and be open to starting new ones. If you can’t be with loved ones in person, connect through phone calls, videos, or sharing pictures.

Stick to a budget: Before shopping for gifts or food, decide how much you can afford to spend—and stick to that number. Happiness doesn’t come from expensive gifts. Consider donating to a charity in someone’s name, giving homemade gifts, or organizing a gift exchange. If you need help making a budget, any time of year, Able SC can do that too!

Plan Ahead: Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, and spending time with friends. Plan your meals in advance and make a shopping list to avoid last-minute stress. Get help with cooking and cleaning to lighten your load.

Learn to say No: You don’t have to do everything. It’s okay to say no to events or requests that overwhelm you. If you must work extra hours, remove something else from your schedule to balance things out.

Ask for help if you need it: If you feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed for an extended period, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. It’s okay to seek help when things feel too heavy. The 988 Lifeline is available anytime you need mental health support, are in a crisis or just need someone to chat with when your emotions feel too strong to handle by yourself.

With some preparation and self-care, you can make the holidays a time of joy and peace rather than stress.

Sources:

Create a social bubble, stay safe over the holidays - Mayo Clinic News Network

COVID-19 and your mental health - Mayo Clinic

Upcoming Opportunities

Rescheduled: Infectious Disease Consumer Training (11/19)

In this training people with disabilities learn how to protect themselves from common infections like colds, flu, and COVID-19. We'll cover easy ways to stay safe, prevent getting sick, and what to do if you feel unwell. By the end of the training, you'll know how to protect yourself from infections, feel more confident in managing your health, and have tools and resources to stay healthy.

Partner Feature: Healthy Laughter

Year 4 of Able SC's Partnering for Vaccine Equity efforts are up and running! Joining us for another year of community partnership is Healthy Laughter. A FREE Health Expo designed to raise awareness around health issues and promote healthy lifestyle choices will be hosted by Healthy Laughter on Saturday, November 30 – 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM & Able SC will be there. Attendees can Register for the FREE Health Expo at HLExpo24.Eventbrite.com to receive a FREE ticket to one of the comedy shows during Healthy Laughter weekend. We hope to see you on 11/30!

Learn more about Healthy Laughter

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.

Public Health Initiatives

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

Emergency Prep and Response Services