By Allison Jonergin
The holidays are a busy time of year for everyone. Some may be fortunate enough to partake in holiday festivities and spend time with family.
What does that look like when you’re disabled?
It looks like thinking ahead, planning, and asking for help. I’ll do any necessary shopping, baking and cooking well in advance of the big day. I’ll shop weeks beforehand and bake items I can freeze. I’ll make one last stop at the grocery store for a few last minute items, planning these trips into my day so I’m not too tired to push the cart or wait in line. I’ll cook the day before, if possible, saving the bulk of the meal to be prepared by someone else.
Most of my holiday shopping will be done online, the last of which is sprinkled into ordinary trips to town to run errands in the weeks and months before. This also means lugging heavy boxes up the stairs when they arrive. If I’m smart, I move the boxes when I’m fresh and have some energy. If I stubbornly lift them after a long day, it’s likely to hurt more and last into the following day. When this happens, I’m fortunate to benefit from certain exercises I can do on my own.
Still, I do find myself making more trips to town to shop this time of year, so I’ll sometimes ask someone to come with me to share the load. Just walking around is enough to tire me out. Having someone to help me focus helps relieve some of the fibro fog that clouds my concentration and depletes my mental energy reserves.
I don’t hang any decorations inside or outside. Not putting anything up means not having to take anything down. While most people are racing to do more this time of year, more than ever my attention is zeroed in on energy conservation. With the colder temperatures settling in, it feels miserable to do much of anything, let alone more than my usual load.
If I start to feel overwhelmed, I designate. I find someone in my family up to the task I need help with, and I ask them to pitch in. Fortunately, there is usually someone up for the challenge. Knowing there are people around who are supportive and understand I need an extra hand removes the stress of preparing for the holidays. At the end of the day, if something doesn’t get done, I know my family will understand. But I also know I don’t have to worry about doing it all alone, so I am free to ask for help when I need it.
To me, celebrating holidays is about togetherness. Sharing in the preparation is part of what makes them so special.