Christmas around disability

[BiddyPopthe2nd]

I apologise for asking this here, but it seemed too trivial for the health boards. And I wanted some practical, but also some magical ideas.

I am coming home from overseas posting for Christmas again this year. I know any magic will be down to me.

Our household now includes someone in a motorised wheelchair. So we no longer have floor space for a proper tree. (And the other 2 years I came home, there was no tree as those at home didn’t do it - the year they came to me, we had one…and when I lived there, we always had one).

I will arrive late on Sunday before Christmas so have some time to prep. I don’t yet know when the wheelchair user will arrive (in rehab at present), nor how much mobility they will have regained. So I must plan for the limitations.

To DH raised eyebrows, I bought a 2.5 foot tree last week when I was home (as that is possibly unavailable closer to the time). And I will limit the decorations out of storage for it.

But are there any other ideas to make quite a hospital-like environment (sleeping in sitting room, hoist, peg feeding etc) into something more homey and normal and maybe even Christmas magical in some ways.

And any ideas for a 21st birthday celebration over the season in those circumstances are also really welcome.

I will be coming back here but work is manic so I won’t be watching constantly sorry. And thanks in advance to all the Christmas elves on here.

A small, table top tree would be lovely, and fairy lights everywhere will make things feel magical. I like those paper fold out globes & snowflake decorations which hung from the ceiling in groups can make things look festive. Can you have scented candles? Even if not lit, the scents could be of more festive types and waft around the room, or reed diffusers.

Fairy lights, if they can be up out the way.
Decorate ceiling? Depending on hoist height etc.
Christmas tyrows for furniture? I usually avoid that type of stuff, but as its furbiture thatd be tgere anyway that might work.

It isnt about the stuff, as i know I dont need to tell you.

Pu the tree on a raised table. Keep the floor clear and declutter as much as you can (hard with family around, I know!). Plan to get things like discarded wrapping paper out of the way ASAP. Basically, treat the wheelchair like an excitable puppy and you're 90% of the way there. The real headache with the new equipment is showering/toileting needs. I'm sure you have it covered, but it's also the one place where the lack of mobility is rammed home. Some luxury bathroom smellies and nice hand wash/sanitiser will help there, and as much dignity as you can give them.

As for the magic, depending on their ability and diet, I would look at doing a clue hunt around the room where they have to correctly guess the object in order to move to the clue. The prize can be 'king for the day' (or the evening), where they choose the music and who gets to peel the potatoes for the Christmas lunch. Silly games, 'guess the year,' for movies or music or even a Christmas themed card tournament could help.

A 21st celebration is tricky, especially with caring responsibilities. How about a champagne breakfast, followed with or combined with something they love doing? You could do a picky spread rather than a large meal and reduce the pressure on yourself.

Ceiling decorations the foil multi coloured kind, window decirations, some twinkly lights will really add the Xmas touch x also thank you for bringing so considerate and thoughtful to someone who’s struggling it’s not always the case x

Thank you all so much. I think I have a few ceiling garlands in the decorations put away for the past 3 years so will go rooting for those! And keep an eye for a couple of extras to add. As there is definitely a number of areas where the hoist won’t interfere.

Fairy lights - definitely. They would go down well.

and scented candles - the wheelchair user had started to get really into those in the year before this happened so I will find a couple of nice ones. But I also like the idea of nice smelling toiletries as DH does not tend to think like that (he’s very practical and caring, just oblivious to some things).

And thanks for the reminder it’s not about the stuff…it’s true, I’m thinking atmospherics rather than consumerism …but I have already bought new winter pjs for them both (normal for us until I went overseas).

A nice festive blanket and a few cushions.
Candles, Aldi and Sainsbury’s are particularly good for the price.
I always like fresh festive foliage in a vase, available from most supermarkets.
Have a few food films lined up to watch together and lots of festive music to sing along to.
Christmas pyjamas for everyone or at the least some festive cosy socks as feet get cold just sitting around.