BUDDY WALKS
Bloomington and Columbus
LIFEDesigns will be participating in the Buddy Walk in Bloomington on Sunday, Oct. 6th at Bryan Park. Please visit the LIFEDesigns Team Page on the Buddy Walk Bloomington website to join us for this walk.
We will also be participating in the Buddy Walk in Columbus on Saturday, October 12th at Donner Park. Please visit the LIFEDesigns Team Page on the Buddy Walk Columbus website to join us for this walk.
TAKING CARE OF THE CARETAKER
Free Educational Self-Care Workshop
Wednesday, Oct. 9th – 6:30pm
The Mental Heath of America chapter of Monroe County is hosting it’s annual Art of Mental Health week October 7-12, 2013. Throughout the week there will be free workshops for the community on the topic of mental health. The Art of Mental Health began in 2006 with the goals of sharing and celebrating the connections between emotional well-being and creativity; informing people about available mental health services in the community; and reducing the stigma and fear surrounding those with mental and emotional challenges. This event strives to break down labels and differences among community members by sharing creative experiences together.
LIFEDesigns is hosting an event called “Who’s taking care of the caretaker? Strategies for self-care” on Thursday, Oct. 9th at 6:30pm at 200 E. Winslow Rd. (the LIFEDesigns Bloomington office). This presentation by LIFEDesigns’ behavior support specialists will provide participants with the signs and symptoms of burnout among caretakers. It will provide strategies and a list of available resources to caretakers in the community for dealing with it.
LEARN MORE by going to the MHA-Monroe County website or their Facebook page.
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Free Financial and Legal Workshop 
Thursday, Oct. 17th – 5:00pm
We invite you to join us at the LIFEDesigns main office (200 E. Winslow Rd., Bloomington) for this educational workshop. The goal is to provide families with information on how to best plan the future for their loved one with a disability. The “Planning for a Family Member with a Disability” workshop will provide you with an opportunity to ask local experts legal and financial questions pertaining to your specific situation.
Among many other family challenges, we will discuss…
- What should I do if my child is coming off of the waitlist?
- How can I support my loved one with a disability without disqualifying them from government benefits?
- What are the 3 biggest mistakes that families make and how can I avoid them?
- What is a special needs trust and do I need one?
- What is the best way to fund a special needs trust?
- How will the law will affect my child and my money?
- How can I ensure that financial resources will always be available for my son or daughter with a disability?
- How does life insurance work and is it appropriate for me?
Presenters: Attorney Janet R. Stavropoulos is a disability law specialist. She graduated from the IU Law School and works currently for Jones, McGlasson, and Benckart, P.C. Logan M. Good is a certified financial planner and works regularly in the disability arena. He graduated from the IU Kelley School of Business and works currently for Western & Southern Life.
LEARN MORE by going to the LIFEDesigns website or our Facebook page.
LIFEDesigns‘ ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARTY
It’s almost here! Our most anticipated event of the year: the Annual Halloween Party!! 
Friday, October 25th – 5:30pm to 7:30pm – St. Marks United Methodist Church
Come dressed in your best costume. Prizes will be given out for scariest, prettiest, most creative and best overall costume. Food provided will be pizza and salad. Drinks provided will be lemonade and water. There will be candy given out and a kids activity area. There will also be carnival games to play! Don’t forget, we always have a great DJ for dancing and, yes, some karaoke songs, too! We will also be pieing the “winner” of our 2013 United Campaign Penny Wars in the face. You don’t want to miss it! Everyone is invited and there is no charge to attend this event. Please join us for one of the most exciting LIFEDesigns events of the year.
LEARN MORE by going to the LIFEDesigns website or our Facebook page.