Public Health and Emergency Response Monthly Newsletter

Finding Peace During Chaos: Simple Tips for Self-Care and Community Support

Natural disasters and chaotic times can feel overwhelming. Taking care of yourself and leaning on your disabled peers can make a big difference in how you feel. Self-care is not selfish; it helps you stay strong and resilient. Receiving support from your community builds a network where everyone’s needs are valued and respected. Together, we can face challenges and thrive.

Self-Care Tips

Take Breaks From News: Limit how much news you watch or read—it’s okay to step away to protect your mental health, especially if coverage makes you feel overwhelmed, sad or disturbed in any way.
Prioritize Basic Needs: Make sure you’re eating, drinking water, and getting enough rest.
Practice Grounding Exercises: Try breathing deeply, holding an object {such as an ice cube}, or focusing on your senses to stay in the present moment. Adapt these exercises in ways that work for your body.
Do Things You Enjoy: Find joy in small activities like listening to music, creating art, or connecting with disabled peers and family.
Move Your Body: Practice gentle movement, stretches, seated exercises, or any activity that feels good so you can release tension and improve your mood.
Set Boundaries: Say “no” when needed, and avoid people, situations, or organizations that dismiss or overlook your value as a disabled person.
Control What You Can: Focus on small tasks you can manage, like organizing your space or setting a daily routine that works for you and your needs.

Lean on Your Community

Stay Connected: Reach out to friends, family, and your disabled peers. Communicating with others, especially those who share your experiences, can ease feelings of isolation.
Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask your community for practical or emotional support. The disability community understands the importance of mutual aid and your peers are ready to help.
Find Safe Spaces: Engage with disability-led organizations, Centers for Independent Living, or online groups that prioritize accessibility and understand your perspective – like Able SC!
Share Resources: Supporting others by sharing accessible tips, resources, or information can strengthen the disability community and build resilience. Able SC regularly shares this type of information on social media and through eblasts. Follow us and other disability justice organizations to stay informed and connected.

Remember, you’re not alone. By caring for yourself and sharing space with disabled peers and community, you can get through even the toughest times!

Spring Storm Prep

March weather can be wild and unpredictable; plenty of people have reflected on its ups and downs. One of my favorite March weather quotes is from Neil Gaiman:

"By March, the worst of the winter would be over. The snow would thaw, the rivers begin to run, and the world would wake into itself again."

March is an in-between time, winter is fading, and spring is just starting to wake up. But before those spring storms roll in, now is the perfect time to get ready for whatever the season might bring. Storms can be stressful, but a little preparation now can make a big difference in staying safe and feeling in control when bad weather hits!

At Able SC, we’re all about making sure our community—the disability community—is ready for bad weather. One of the best tools we’ve created is the document, Stay Safe Emergency Booklet. This easy-to-use guide answers common questions and concerns about staying safe during dangerous weather. You can print it or download it for free to create your own emergency plan.

Another great resource comes from our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): How to Prepare for a Hurricane. It’s simple, easy to read, and packed with helpful advice—like how to stay informed, plan an evacuation for yourself and your pet or service animal, and what emergency supplies to have on hand. I personally love this resource!

The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) also has tons of helpful info, including a page dedicated to making storm prep easier for people with disabilities. Reading clear, step-by-step instructions like these helps me feel more prepared and less anxious about weather emergencies.

Want to learn more? Check out Able SC’s Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery Services webpage. Let’s get ready together—because a little preparation now makes a big difference when storms come our way!

Mandy Halloran, Able SC, Director of Public Health & Disability Integration

Just the Basics: Nutrition

Good nutrition is all about making food and drink choices that work for your lifestyle, culture, and budget. To stay healthy, our bodies need fiber, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium—while cutting back on added sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. Even small changes can make a big difference!

A balanced diet includes fruits, veggies, whole grains, dairy, and protein. Good dairy options include low-fat milk, lactose-free milk, and fortified soy beverages. For protein, try seafood, lean meats, eggs, legumes, soy products, nuts, and seeds.

There’s no one right way to eat! Some people have disabilities that affect their diets, and cultural and economic factors shape how we eat, too. What matters most is getting the nutrients your body needs in a way that works for you!

Here are some simple ways to nourish your body and feel your best:

Eat a mix of foods from all the food groups every day.
Add variety with colorful fruits and veggies.
Choose high-fiber foods when possible (unless advised otherwise).
Enjoy regular meals and snacks that match your energy needs.
Drink plenty of water and cut back on sugary or caffeinated drinks.
Limit foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (unless recommended for your needs).
Move your body in ways you enjoy—walk, dance, swim, bike, or whatever feels good!

Check out these great resources to help you make healthy eating easier:

Upcoming Opportunities

Advocacy Day for Access and Independence!

Save the Date!
Advocacy Day for Access & Independence Tuesday, April 8, 10 AM - 12 PM; FREE Registration

Partner Spotlight: Latino Community Development

For the past three years, Able SC has teamed up with Latino Community Development to improve healthcare access for people with disabilities in the Hispanic community. Together, we’ve worked to improve health and safety by:

✅ Sharing important information in both English and Spanish

✅ Providing resources on personal healthcare advocacy

✅ Promoting emergency preparedness for the community

We’ve also had the privilege of attending many community events hosted by Latino Community Development, and we’re excited to keep working together for better health outcomes for years to come!

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