how to support your chronically ill friends
how to support your chronically ill friends, family, loved ones, anyone you’re celebrating with this holiday season!
Holidays, family gatherings, social events can be really stressful for chronically ill and disabled people. There are a lot of unspoken exceptions, long drawn out days, and the need for extra energy we don’t always have.
As a chronically ill person, here are some things I’m doing this holiday season to take care of myself:
- take breaks, go on walks, lock myself in my room
- use the tools and aids I need
- communicate my needs to those around me
- preplan my travels and stay accommodations
- keep my routine as much as I can
- bring my own food
- listen to my body’s boundaries
What are you doing to take care of yourself during the holidays?
ID: Close up photo of a Christmas wreath and the text reads, “how to support your chronically ill friends during the holidays (because we want to enjoy them too). invite them anyways: even though we might be prone to declining invitations, invite us anyways. We get frustrated without ourselves if we can’t make it due to our bodies not cooperating, but it’s also very disheartening when people stop inviting you assuming you’ll say no. It’s up to us to deceive if we can’t do it or not. ask about accommodations: Ask if there are accommodations that would make their participation more enjoyable. It could be a wheelchair accessible activity, sleeping arrangements, reduced time, allergy friendly food options, and more! offer breaks: Scheduling natural breaks is a great way for everyone to recoup, that way they aren’t left out if everyone else continues on. Breaks can be essential to whether or not someone’s body or brain can continue celebrating socially. limit the uncomfortable conversations: Often people catch up around the holidays, about life, what they did this year. Living with a chronic illness is extremely difficult and takes a lot of energy. It can be easy for conversations to go down an uncomfy route if people start asking invasive questions. Supporting your friend if these do arise can ease a lot of stress. have an outlined schedule: For many chronically ill and neurodivergent people, having a tentative schedule can help them prepare and plan their needs around the day. This can also ease anxiety for everyone! don’t make their needs awkward: Some chronically ill and neurodivergent people will need tools and accessibility aids that you aren’t used to seeing. Continuing as usually can help them not feel as gawked at. overall, your chronically ill friends just want to enjoy them too.”
#disability #chronicillness #chronicallyill #eds #pots #endo #mcas #ehlersdanlosawareness
The holiday season can be particularly challenging for those with chronic illnesses. It's important to understand their unique struggles, from exhaustion to anxiety about social interactions. Invite chronically ill friends to events, even if they often decline; feeling omitted can lead to frustration and isolation. Communicate openly about accommodations they might need – whether it’s accessible seating or dietary options – showing your willingness to support them can make a huge difference. Provide natural breaks during gatherings, allowing them time to recuperate, which is crucial for their participation. Conversations can become overwhelming, so encourage light-hearted topics and steer away from invasive questions about their condition. Having a structured schedule can also help them navigate the day, making it easier for them to prepare and manage their energy. Additionally, normalize the presence of any tools or aids they may require, to help them feel accepted and comfortable. Ultimately, your chronically ill friends want to enjoy the holiday festivities just like everyone else; understanding their needs is key to creating a more inclusive and joyful experience.