For chronic, erratic, dynamic, or invisible disabilities
Storytelling Workshops
Facilitated Workshops for Invisible Illness
Co-Facilitated by Matthew “Gus” Gusul, PhD + Erica Zacharias, RPN
What Makes This Work Unique
Lived Experience + Facilitation Expertise
Erica is a practical nurse with years of experience navigating a body with invisible illness (and the systems that accompany it). Gus brings extensive experience facilitating storytelling, leadership, and community-based workshops across Canada.
Trauma-Informed + Accessible Design
Workshops are intentionally designed to be adaptable for participants with invisible disabilities (fatigue, cognitive load, sensory needs, etc.).
Playful + Meaningful Engagement
Participants engage in interactive storytelling activities that are:
✤ Low-pressure
✤ Creative + reflective
✤ Grounded in care + consent
Who Is This For?
-Disability support organizations
-Healthcare and social service providers
-Advocacy groups
-Community-based organizations
-Teams seeking deeper relational and trauma-informed approaches
Real Outcomes
Participants leave with:
✤ Stronger communication skills
✤ Deeper empathy + understanding
✤ Renewed connection to purpose + future direction
-virtual available-
Workshop Options
1. Two or Three-Day Workshops
Ideal for: Organizations seeking deeper impact and relationship-building
Focus:
-Storytelling foundations (how to share + listen well)
-Lived experience sharing across roles
-Reflecting on personal and professional journeys
-Building relational understanding within systems
-Future-oriented storytelling and goal setting
Format:
6 hours/day (flexible pacing)
Mix of small group work, full group dialogue, and
creative exercises
5-15 people
2. Three-Hour Workshop / Event
Ideal for: Introductions, conferences, or staff development sessions
Focus:
-Introduction to storytelling as a tool for connection
-Guided sharing and listening exercises
-Building empathy and awareness
Format:
1.5 - 4 hours (flexible pacing)
Mix of small group work, full group dialogue, creative exercises, and lecture
30-80 people
3. Keynote Presentation
Ideal for: Conferences, organizational events, staff gatherings, and public forums
This keynote blends lived experience, storytelling, and
systems insight to bring attention to the realities faced by
individuals living with invisible disabilities—particularly the
pathways that can lead from illness into financial
precarity and long-term instability. It creates a powerful
balance between:
-Personal story
-Facilitated reflection
-Practical insight for systems change
Participants are not passive listeners as they are invited into moments of guided reflection and connection, making the experience both impactful and memorable.
CO-PLANNING APPROACH
Each workshop is co-designed with the organization to ensure relevance and accessibility.
Process includes:
-Pre-planning conversations with organizational staff
-Adapting content to participant needs and context
-Identifying accessibility considerations in advance
INVESTMENT + FEES
We aim to work collaboratively within organizational budgets while ensuring the sustainability of this work.