Gathering Strength is a nonprofit based in Louisville, Kentucky, which empowers people with physical disabilities to achieve better health, increase self-sufficiency, and become more engaged in the community. As part of their mission, they offer a variety of educational and financial workshops, and online group health and wellness classes that you can take advantage of for free.
View the list of upcoming online classes for people with disabilities, family members, or caregivers and register today!
Equal Healthcare Services for People with Disabilities – Wednesday, September 20, and Wednesday, October 11, 2:00 – 3:30pm ET (two-part online series)
These workshops will educate people with disabilities about their rights to equal healthcare services. Participants will learn about federal law, how to address accessibility problems with their healthcare providers, and how to file administrative complaints with federal agencies when all else fails. The first workshop addresses the law, and the second workshop addresses how to file complaints.
Saving for the Future for People with Disabilities – Wednesday, October 4, 2:00 – 3:30pm ET
This workshop includes guidance on saving money that will NOT jeopardize social security benefits, such as tax-exempt savings accounts (ABLE and STABLE), and special needs trusts that allow saving while protecting eligibility for benefits. It will be led by Carolyn Wheeler of the University of Kentucky Human Development Institute. She has over 40 years of experience training and advocating on behalf of people with disabilities and their families. Carolyn is a certified Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor.
Working While on Social Security Benefits – Wednesday, October 25, 3:00 – 4:30pm ET
This online workshop guides how to work and maximize earnings without losing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. It will be led by Donna Mundy of the Center for Accessible Living. She has been a Certified Work Incentive Counselor (CWIC) for over 11 years.
Mindfulness Techniques for Managing Pain – Thursdays at 3:00pm ET from October 25 – November 30 (except November 23)
This is a five-week online class in which we will learn useful techniques for managing chronic pain, including: (1) How to distinguish between “primary pain” (which is a given) and “secondary pain” (which is optional); (2) Using breath awareness to release tension; (3) how to get perspective on our thoughts with a kind and positive attitude; (4) how to pace ourselves and manage the fluctuations of good and bad days, and (5) choosing our reactions to what is.
It is led by Vidyamala Burch, a mindfulness and compassion teacher, coach, award-winning author, and co-founder of the leading mindfulness organization Breathworks. She began teaching her mindfulness approach for managing pain and illness following a fall 30 years ago, leaving her with partial paraplegia and chronic pain.
Online adapted, seated exercise classes for people with disabilities will resume in mid-October. Learn more about Gathering Strength and the classes and resources they offer on their website.