Social Security Disability: a Conversation with Alison Hayes
Wednesday, March 5, 6:00-7:30pm ET
Via Zoom
Register Here

Join Alison for a conversation about Social Security Disability! She went through the experience of (successfully) applying herself in 2004, and has explored the system since. She knows how the process feels and has dived into understanding how and why it feels so hard, both to decide to apply, and to actually fill out the paperwork. She’ll walk you through how it works (helping you separate the facts from the rumors), when you should apply, and steps you can take to protect your mental health while you do so! Applying isn’t an easy process, and recognizing that you need to can be even harder. So if you’re struggling with maintaining a full time job, or if you have decided you need to apply but need a nudge to get started, come join her, and bring whatever questions you have with you!

Alison Hayes is the founder and driving force behind her coaching business, Thriving While Disabled. Her book, Thriving While Disabled: Navigating Disability Finances has evolved from her blog. Her business has expanded to encompass coaching, training, and educational materials that help people with disabilities navigate the many broken systems which make their lives difficult. The goal of her business is to empower her fellow disabled folks to know and protect their rights, recognize their worthiness as human beings, and find their own path to purpose. Her wish is that you can thrive while managing society’s perception and treatment of you as a person with a disability! Alison and her partner Alvaro live in New Jersey with their cats (one of whom is also chronically ill) and enjoy watching horror movies together. She’s also a big reader of science fiction and fantasy books.

Preventing and Treating Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases with Alexis Chesney MS, ND, LAc

Wednesday, March 12, 6:30-8pm

Via Zoom

Register Here

In 2022, approximately 63,000 cases of Lyme disease were reported to the CDC. However, recent estimates using other research methods suggest that about 476,000 people may be diagnosed with Lyme disease each year in the United States. Even if you currently have Lyme or tick-borne disease (TBD) or have had it in the past, another tick bite can transmit a new tick-borne infection. In this presentation, you will learn which ticks carry disease, how to prevent tick bites, the six essential steps to take after a tick bite, key symptoms to watch for, and about effective treatment. Whether you’re managing Lyme/TBD or aiming to prevent it, this session will help you keep yourself and your loved ones safe. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session, where Dr. Chesney will gladly answer your questions on all aspects of Lyme/TBD.

Alexis Chesney MS, ND, LAc

Alexis is a naturopathic physician, acupuncturist, author and educator specializing in Lyme and vector-borne disease. Dr. Chesney enjoys getting to the root cause of complex chronic illness and partnering with patients to find wellness and balance in their lives. She practices at Sojourns Community Health Clinic, in Westminster, Vermont and also has a private practice. She is a member of the AANP, Vermont Association of Naturopathic Physicians (VANP), the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) and a founding full member of International Society for Environmentally Acquired Illness (ISEAI). Dr. Chesney served on the Board of Directors and serves as a preceptor for the ILADEF Physician Training Program. She is the author of Preventing Lyme and Other Tick-Borne Diseases released through Storey Publishing, and the online course Preventing and Treating Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease: Ticks from Around the World, Diseases They Carry, Prevention and Acute Treatment.

Healing and Treating Lyme Disease in Children; a  Naturopathic Approach
with Nitya Jessica Eisenheim, ND
Sunday, April 27, 2:00-3:30pm
Via Zoom
Register Here

Have you or your children been bitten by a tick and still have lingering symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, anxiety or headaches?

Learn how to prevent Lyme disease BEFORE it becomes a chronic, lingering condition.

Is your child too tired to play with other children? Do they have trouble focusing in school, remembering to complete a task? Do they get ANGRY very easily?

You are not alone! These are common manifestations of Lyme/Tick borne illnesses in children that Dr. Nitya Eisenheim, a naturopathic doctor specializing in Lyme disease and pediatrics, hears every day in her practice.

Dr. Eisenheim will share her unique approach to healing children from Lyme disease, naturally. Children are often misdiagnosed and do not receive proper treatment for months at a time. Learn why natural medicines are the first line of defense against Lyme disease when they have chronic, lingering symptoms of Lyme, even after treatment with antibiotics.

Topics to be discussed:

1. Top tips to prevent Lyme disease and what to do if you find a tick bite
2. What the different phases of Lyme/Tick borne disease look like in children i.e. treat early for best results
3. Dr. Eisenheim’s unique 9 step approach to Lyme recovery for children

After a brief talk, there will be plenty of time for Q & A.

Dr. Nitya Jessica Eisenheim, ND is a MA and VT licensed Naturopathic doctor who is passionate about herbal medicine, cooking, healthy food and community building. Nitya grew up in NYC going to conventional doctors. She did not know a dandelion from a tomato plant, nonetheless know that plants can actually heal you. Dr. Eisenheim has had the opportunity to treat hundreds of patients in all stages of Lyme disease while mentoring with Dr. Emily Maiella at Windhorse Naturopathic Clinic in Brattleboro, VT. She has a Naturopathic clinic in Greenfield, MA where she specializes in helping children with neurological/cognitive/behavior/psychological health issues, as well as healing from Lyme disease/Tick Borne Illnesses, Autoimmune disorders, and Digestive issues. She is passionate about preventing chronic illness in children and thus also provides Preconception care and Postpartum support services. Dr. Nitya Eisenheim, ND graduated from Bastyr University, a leading research and educational institution. For more, see her website at www.cedarroseheals.com.

Here’s what others have to say about working with Dr. Eisenheim:
“I’ve been dealing with Lyme Disease since June of 2017 and still suffer intermittent symptoms. I attended Dr Eisenheim’s workshop on Lyme Disease in April 2018. I was impressed with her easy to understand information and willingness to share her knowledge as well as her kind and professional demeanor. I took home the Tick Kit as a preventative. 3 1/2 weeks post tick bite I have thankfully not had a reoccurrence of Lyme symptoms. I have gladly added Dr. Eisenheim to my Lyme treatment regime.” -JA

“I decided to visit Cedar Rose after I exhausted all other medical options with my son who was chronically sick. After our first visit I saw a drastic improvement in his overall health within 2 weeks. She carefully listened to all of my concerns and gave me a plan of action for him which included dietary changes and supplements.” -EW

*DISCLAIMER: There is no guarantee that every individual will achieve the same results. Results are dependent on other factors such as pre-existing conditions, co-morbidities, diet, lifestyle, and commitment and time to allow change to occur.

Book Chat: The Testament
Hosted by volunteer Linda Reeves

February 22, 2025, 1:00-2:30pm

Via Zoom

Register Here

Join LDRC Volunteer Linda Reeves for her second Book Chat to discuss John Grisham’s novel The Testament, a riveting tale about family, greed, and redemption. The story centers around a billionaire and his very large, unorthodox family. It is part legal drama and part international adventure. Take a thrilling journey to remote lands while witnessing the corruption and anguish money can cause. John Grisham is a master storyteller and The Testament is said to be his best book.
Print copies of the book are available on Amazon and in your local libraries. The audible version is available on Audible.com, Amazon and audiobooks.com. If you haven’t read or listened to the book, you are still welcome to join us. We’d love your company!
Please join Linda for some exciting armchair travel to an exotic land for another casual, cozy book chat. Don’t forget to bring your favorite tea and warm, fuzzy slippers! What better way to spend a cold winter afternoon?

Linda Reeves

Linda lives in the Albany, NY area. She has been battling Lyme for many years now and has learned a great deal about this disease and its impact on people’s lives. She feels extremely passionate about helping others in this struggle. She loves to read, write short stories and memoirs, play piano and watch movies. She has been volunteering with the LDRC since May of this year.

Mindfulness for Resilience & Relaxation – 3 part series
with Brian Westerlind, Mindfulness & Meditation Facilitator
Thursday February 27, March 27, April 24: 6:30-8:00pm

Register Here

“Mindfulness for Resilience & Relaxation,” a three-part series for clients of the LDRC: those living with Lyme Disease, other chronic illnesses, and their caregivers. This series will share mindfulness concepts and meditation techniques to support relaxation and resilience, promote calm, clarity, and compassion within daily living.

February 27: Mindfulness for Resilience & Relaxation—an Overview

An introduction to mindfulness meditation and an opportunity to practice body scan meditation and breathing meditation.

March 27: Stepping Back from Unhelpful Thinking

Explore how to utilize meditation to tap into the mind-body connection and how separation from thinking can open the door to choice. Practice Thought Diffusion meditation and Noting meditation.

April 24: Cultivating Compassion & Acceptance

Learn how mindfulness is awareness without judgment and its uses for noticing inner dialogues and narratives to create a compassionate connection with the body. Practice Loving-kindness meditation (Metta) and using storytelling to notice automatic assumptions and judgments.

Brian Westerlind

Brian is a mindfulness facilitator and writer who has practiced meditation for more than a decade. By sharing the gift of mindfulness, Brian helps others cultivate contentment, clarity, connection, and conscious choice. He lives and practices in Western Massachusetts. Reach him at [email protected].