The Museum of disABILITY History will welcome Stephen Nawotniak, author of Handbook for Healthy Living with a Mood Disorder, as its next featured presenter for its Dialogues on disABILITY Speaker Series. The presentation entitled, “Stepping Beyond Illness,” will be held on Friday, October 3, at 7 p.m., at 3826 Main Street, Buffalo. Nawotniak will share his personal story and how some activities from his book can support a person in designing a desired quality of life. A review on “The Acceptance Ladder” (a tool in the book), along with a question and answer session will be included.

In 2012, Nawotniak was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a weeklong hospitalization for severe depression. He has been coping with the symptoms and is currently in the process of recovery. In his book, Nawotniak offers an experienced-based sharing of skills and tools that have worked for him. Relying on his expertise as a licensed occupational therapist, he focuses on constructing a meaningful quality of life using skills that are effective and important for everybody while addressing and accommodating the needs unique to bipolar disorder.The presentation is geared towards individuals with a mental health diagnosis and their friends and family, mental health and medical professionals and college students.

The Dialogues on disABILITY event is $5 for adults and $2.50 for seniors, students and human service employees and free for members of the Museum of disABILITY History. The event fee includes admission to the gallery space of the Museum of disABILITY History. For more information or to register, call 716-629-3626.

The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society’s reactions. The Museum of disABILITY History, located at 3826 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, offers educational exhibits, programs and activities that expand community awareness.