Empower, the Disability Resource Centre

Friendly reminder that clocks fall back an hour overnight tonight (yes, we get an extra hour).
Don't forget to reset the clock on your microwave! ⏰

Do you know an individual or group who has made a significant contribution to the full inclusion of people with disabilities in community either at a local, regional, provincial or national level? Tell us about it by nominating them for the 2024 Independent Living Awards!
Check out the Call for Nominations and the Nomination Form on our website:
https://ow.ly/lQry50TLXxT
Deadline for Nomination is Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Happy Halloween Folks!
Friendly reminder to keep our excited, sugar-filled, trick or treating kiddos in mind if you are driving this afternoon/evening.
🎃"There is magic in the night, when the pumpkins glow by moonlight." 🌛- unknown

We’re live and lively (and a little spooky) for our 2024 Member’s Halloween Party! Check out some of the great costumes that have popped in for some fun this evening!
👻🎃

Members are invited to come together to celebrate Halloween at Empower TONIGHT!
Wednesday, October 30 from 6:30pm until 9pm at Empower
There will be lots of tricks and treats served and prizes for the best costume.
Register to attend: https://ow.ly/2vSA50TErb0

🎃 We ask that members not wear masks during the celebration, but it will be ok to wear your mask for a short time during the costume contest. Bloody or gory makeup effects are not welcome at this event to ensure that it is a safe space for all members. 🎃

Finally, an often forgotten part of being healthy is getting quality sleep, to flush toxins and protect your brain.
Seniors with a new disability should prioritize sleep by establishing a regular sleep schedule, creating a calming routine at bedtime and turning off screens at least an hour before sleep.

In order to feel your best, even after a new disability, it's important for seniors to make your health a top priority.
Exercise is a great way to keep your body and mind in shape - start small and increase your activity every day/week. Instead of dwelling on what you can no longer do, find creative new ways to exercise. And don't compare yourself to others, or even your past self.

Another great way for seniors to give their lives meaning after a newly acquired disability is to take care of an animal.
Having a pet to care for can give you a sense of being needed, bring joy and companionship into your life and help you feel less isolated.
If you are unable to have a pet, volunteering at an animal shelter or veterinarian's practice is another way to connect with animals.

When you're newly disabled, often you must accept help from friends and family. This isn't a bad thing, but it can help with negative feelings to find ways to reciprocate.
Finding ways to give back to those who help you is a great way to find meaning in your new life, seniors.
Again, being creative in ways you can give back is key. And remember that even small things like a thank you card or genuine compliment count!

Members are invited to come together to celebrate Halloween at Empower!
Wednesday, October 30 from 6:30pm until 9pm at Empower
There will be lots of tricks and treats served and prizes for the best costume.
Register to attend: https://ow.ly/2vSA50TErb0

🎃 We ask that members not wear masks during the celebration, but it will be ok to wear your mask for a short time during the costume contest. Bloody or gory makeup effects are not welcome at this event to ensure that it is a safe space for all members. 🎃

🎓 Empowered Learning Session 🎓
Members of Empower are invited to come learn about the Disability Tax Credit and New Canada Disability Benefit from the community outreach team with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
Tuesday, October 29 from 1:30pm to 3pm
This session will be hosted in-person at Empower and also online via
Zoom.
Register for this session: https://ow.ly/8MhC50TEqEc

Another way to find purpose and meaning after a new disability is to find new hobbies/activities that make you happy - especially if your disability is making existing hobbies difficult or impossible.
Staying engaged is a big boost to your mental health. Look for creative ways to continue your participation in existing activities or develop new interests that work better with your disability.

Seniors with a new disability may feel that it has taken their identity, and struggle with their value or how to fit into society now.
Finding new things that can give your life meaning and purpose can counteract these feelings.
Volunteering is a great way to feel more productive and that you are making a difference. Choose a cause you are passionate about and explore how you can volunteer - there are many ways to do that, including from home, so be creative!

This is Invisible Disability Week in Canada. It's also Learning Disabilities Awareness Month and ADHD Awareness Month.
It is estimated that 70 - 80% of disabilities are non-visible! These can include disabilities such as vision issues, sensory processing issues, chronic illnesses, pain, fatigue, autism, ADHD, learning disabilities and many more.
While we celebrate and explore Neurodiversity this month, we ask you to consider those with non-visible disabilities in your life and how you can support them. And if you don't know anyone with a non-visible disability, consider the fact that you probably do - and just be kind!

Empower's Book Club focuses on disability related literature and authors living with disability. We meet virtually from 6:30-8pm on the last Sunday of each month.
For this month’s book club we will be encouraging members to read literature or watch media about Thomas Edison. We will share things we each learned and found interesting during our discussion.
Next Sunday, October 27th from 6:30-8pm via Zoom
Link: https://ow.ly/4gJe50TEs74
Please complete the following form if you are interested in becoming a
member of our Empowered Readers Book Club: https://ow.ly/O75x50TEs73

Knowing how stoic most seniors are, it's important to remind you that asking for and accepting help doesn't make you weak or worthy of pity!
Denying that you need assistance can delay treatment or progress and can make you worse, both physically and mentally.
Letting the people that care about you help not only benefits you, but also helps them feel better!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight's Q***r Peer Support Group is cancelled.
We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you next month!

Seniors can also get help with a new disability by joining a support group for people dealing with similar challenges.
This can combat isolation and help you realize you are not alone. You can also gain from the collective knowledge of the group - sharing struggles, ideas and encouragement!

Another way that seniors can work towards adapting to a new disability is to ask for (and accept!) help.
You may feel like isolating and withdrawing from society. But now is the time to nurture the important relationships in you life. You may need a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen but it's just as critical to let go and have fun!
Staying connected can have a significant impact on your mood and mental health.

When working on minimizing the impact of your new disability, seniors can set goals for themselves - but keeping the goals realistic and having patience with yourself is important!
A disability can force you to learn new skills and strategies, or relearn things you could previously do. This can be frustrating and the desire to rush to "get back to normal" is natural. But rushing or setting overly difficult goals can actually cause setbacks.
Keep your goals small, your patience large and celebrate every win - every small step forward counts!

To celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month, Memorial University is holding a Community Resource Fair today, so that representatives from MUN, students and community members can come together to learn about employment equity and supports for people with disabilities.
Empower's Career Services Coordinator Stephen Quinn is on hand to talk about our Career Services and AT/IT Facilitator Thoren Tilley is demonstrating and answering questions about Adaptive Technology.
Find them on the Landing at MUN (UC 3015) from 10am to 3:30pm today!

Happy Thanksgiving folks!
If you're team "Saves room" drop a pie emoji 🥧, if you're team "Stretchy pants" drop a turkey! 🦃
Or tell us what you're thankful for today! 💙