By: K Crystal Griffith Staff contributing writer & Subscriber
The adventures await, as does all the pre-trip packing for those with medical complexities! Our recent move trip led to a completely packed car and a full luggage rack. The poor pup only had half a backseat!
Consider a vacation … stops, driving or flying, overnights, snacks, meals, and more. Let’s make this as easy as possible!
1) Get organized!
Find a notebook or create a digital checklist on your phone. Why there? You always have it with you! As you go through a typical day, begin to notate the tasks you’re doing for your loved on, the items needed, and quantity for the task.
For example, my kiddo cannot use the composting straws everyone seems to be using today. She also does not trust reusable ones, all due to allergies. When we do find restaurants that have straws she can use, we tend to stockpile in the car. We’ve also have extra utensils as well.
2) Stick to some things normally
Spontaneity is an exciting adventure but having a foundational plan is key. Our medical loved ones need structure and as close to their normal routine as possible.
When we took a big road trip this spring, we had the list of places she could eat normally to choose from plus special destinations we had already researched on Find Me Gluten Free. This gave her safety of normal with a touch of new she knew she’d be okay to eat at.
3) Sun, sand, surf and meds … ouch!
This one got us this trip. Unfortunately, someone smoking set off my daughter’s lungs with a reaction. After an urgent care, she was put on meds that can cause massive sun reactions. We forgot that part and a few weeks later her legs still look lobster red in places.
Check with the doctor or pharmacist to confirm any meds, including holistic or naturopathic supplements for sun interactions.
4) Holistic Toolkit to go!
Of course we always have the usual 1st aid kit prepped with band aids, Sanitizer, tweezers, scissors, duct tape, (yes, duct tape, works like a charm on more things than you realize), and such.
But then there is the holistic toolkit. For us that includes the grounding sheet, the red light pad, frequency unit, Borion pellets for several things, compression socks, and key essential oils such as digest, peppermint, lavender, and breathe. And yes, we have used every single one on this trip, especially the red light pad.
5) Sensory Bag for both your loved ones and YOU!
We always put our medical loved one’s needs 1st but the fact is YOU need to put YOU 1st. If you don’t, you will burnout. And the reality is we all know a vacation with a medical complex loved one is twice as much work. Please consider this tip for you as well.
Create a sensory self care bag for your loved one and you!
Ear plugs or headphones, favorite candy, book, blank journal without lines, new colored pencils or markers, pencil sharper, fidget toys, lovey toy, eye mask, lip balm, water bottle, stickers to decorate the bottle, travel blanket, and blow up pillow or neck pillow all in a little backpack bag with a draw string.
This sensory bag works 2 fold. They have each of the items available to help them stay regulated and there are activities to keep them busy.
Make it even more fun, you could wrap some of the items and open one per hour of the trip.
They can draw on the backpack with the markers to decorate it as one of the trip activities.
They can decorate the bottles.
They can create a travel journal in the notebook. As you make stops along the way, have the write or draw what the saw or did.
During stops, have them pick a postcard to add to their travel journal or mail themselves back home. When they return, they have mail and relive the trip. Don’t forget to get postcard stamps!
For moms, add in some bath bombs for some hotel downtime. A few extra tips:
National Park passes are FREE for those with disabilities. You can pick one up at any national park.
Moms, jot down in your journals moments your kids are laughing, enjoying the moment, and forgetting the medical chaos that tends to surround them.
And don’t forget to get in the pictures!! Every time I see a mom taking the picture, I always offer to take one of all of them.
Enjoy your summer with your loved ones. The days of summer are short and in limited supply. These kids grow up so quickly!
We are publishing an anthology of Miracles, Signs, & Wonders and want to hear YOUR MEDICAL MOM WARRIOR STORY! Share you story on the link at https://linktr.ee/kcrystalgriffith.com
Crystal’s mission is to activate medical mom warrior entrepreneurs with business strategies from the waiting rooms, holistic tools for kingdom health, and community keep them connected on their medical journey. She is a Dual Certified Inner Healing Practitioner, Business Coach and Challenges Consultant to help others who want to use virtual events to advance their reach. Email: KCrystalGriffith@gmail.com