The holidays can be both joyful and challenging. It’s a season filled with light, laughter, and togetherness, yet also moments of stress, change, and uncertainty. For Tennesseans with disabilities and their families, this time of year can bring unique challenges: managing physical and sensory considerations at gatherings, coordinating support needs while traveling, or carving out time to recharge amid busy schedules.
That’s where Tennessee Disability Pathfinder comes in. As Tennessee’s free disability information and referral service, Pathfinder helps individuals, families, and professionals find the right supports, right when they are needed most.
Finding Connection in Community
For Sarah, a mother of two from Clarksville, the holidays once felt isolating. Her son’s sensory sensitivities made large gatherings overwhelming, and she often struggled to find activities that worked for everyone. That changed when she discovered Pathfinder’s Community Events listings.
“We found an adaptive holiday event through Pathfinder’s website,” Sarah shares. “It was the first time my son didn’t feel out of place. Now it’s part of our tradition.”
Pathfinder’s Events Calendar helps Tennesseans find holiday happenings, from sensory-friendly Santa visits to volunteering opportunities. These events remind us that connection doesn’t have to be complicated; sometimes it’s just about finding the right door to walk through.
Giving and Receiving: Redefining the Spirit of the Season
Support flows both ways during the holidays. Across Tennessee, individuals with disabilities are also giving back, volunteering at food drives, crafting cards for nursing homes, or mentoring others navigating new diagnoses.
Pathfinder’s website includes volunteer opportunities and advocacy groups that welcome people of all abilities. Giving back can strengthen a sense of purpose and connection, especially during a season that can feel centered on comparison and consumption.
“I used to think asking for help meant I wasn’t contributing,” says James, a veteran living in Knoxville. “Pathfinder helped me find a local peer support group where I realized that sharing my story is giving back.”
Practical Support, Real Relief
The holidays can strain both time and finances. Pathfinder curates reliable, up-to-date information about food, housing, transportation, mental health, and assistive services. All are searchable through our online directory of services.
A few helpful starting points this season:
- Food Assistance: Find community pantries and meal programs near you.
- Transportation: Locate accessible rides for holiday shopping, gatherings, or medical appointments.
- Housing Resources: Connect with shelters or rental support programs for stability during the winter months.
- Mental Health: Access counseling, crisis lines, and peer support to ease seasonal stress.
All of these resources and more are available at TNPathfinder.org. Pathfinder is a one-stop hub for navigating disability support in Tennessee.
Navigating Together
The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. What matters most is staying connected to people, programs, and possibilities that help us thrive. Pathfinder exists to make those connections easier and to remind Tennesseans that support is never out of reach. You can visit TNPathfinder.org to explore thousands of resources, or connect directly with our team by calling 1-800-640-4636 or emailing us at TNPathfinder@vumc.org for personalized help.
Together, we can make this holiday season one guided by care, connection, and community, the compass that keeps us moving forward.
Note on Illustrative Examples: The stories of Sarah and John are representative examples created to show how Pathfinder supports Tennesseans with disabilities in finding helpful resources and services. They are based on real experiences observed through Tennessee Disability Pathfinder’s information and referral work, with all identifying details modified or generalized to protect individual privacy in accordance with HIPAA and Pathfinder’s confidentiality standards.
References
- Tennessee Disability Pathfinder. (2025). Information & Referral Specialists Analytical Data.
- Tennessee Disability Pathfinder. (2025). Homepage. TNPathfinder.org