University of Kentucky Graduate Student Organizes First Symposium for Disability Support in Appalachian Region

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A graduate student from the University of Kentucky is set to launch a first-ever symposium aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities across the Appalachian region. This event comes as a response to personal experiences faced by the organizer, Mack Thompson, who has navigated multiple health challenges throughout his life.

The symposium is scheduled for Saturday, from 8:30 AM to 5 PM, at the Healthy Kentucky Research Building. It is open to the public and free of charge, requiring prior online registration.

Thompson was born with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a genetic condition that has resulted in various physical and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Despite being disabled since birth, he noted a significant worsening of his condition after enrolling at UK in 2020, when he was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Feeling isolated in his struggles, he sought to create community connections.

In 2020, Thompson established a disability student organization at the university to foster relationships among disabled students. Through this initiative, he became more aware of the extensive resource gaps faced by individuals with disabilities in Eastern Kentucky, an area that he described as part of a “disability belt.”

The upcoming symposium will feature discussions involving researchers, healthcare professionals, and self-advocates focused on improving care and accessibility for those with disabilities in the region. “I aim to ensure that our policies adequately support Appalachians with disabilities,” Thompson emphasized.

Thompson hopes the event will convey a vital message: “There is a vast community of people with disabilities who are experiencing similar things as you. People are out there, and we do care about you, and you’re not alone.”

This symposium represents a significant step toward raising awareness and building networks for those affected by disabilities in Appalachia, encouraging unity and shared advocacy.