Navigating the Holidays as a Disabled Person: Reflection, Access & Care -

The holiday season can be so magical, but it can also be deeply overwhelming when you’re juggling health struggles and trying to navigate events that aren’t always accessible. For many of us, navigating the holidays as a disabled person ends up feeling more like work than something cosy or joyful. This year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities theme “Health Financing Matters” feels especially poignant when so many people are relying on food banks, and the rising cost of simply existing keeps weighing heavier on disabled lives.

An old fashioned style lamppost is seen, close in on the lit part, below this section is tied a large red bow and fir brances, behind can be seen christmas lights out of focus to represent navigating the holidays as a disabled person — Photo by Josh Harrison on Unsplash

A Holiday Season That Isn’t Built for Everyone

December as a whole can be so hard, for me increased pain, cold intolerance, and less sunshine affecting my chronic depression makes it overwhelming. There is more chance of us being unable to leave the house, and it is so hard to navigate doctors’ appointments and organising medication.

I am lucky to live in England right now because we have the NHS, though with years of austerity having been placed on it I am not sure how much longer we will have it. But right now, I don’t have to worry about paying to see doctors or to get my medication, something I am so thankful for.

However, mobility aids are expensive and something that is rarely covered by the NHS, accessible transport is not covered, and the government is trying to remove access through the Motability scheme. Heating and electricity costs are higher for us because of being home and often unable to regulate our body temperatures. As December moves forward, we find health appointments are harder to get and private healthcare becomes essential because of the pressure on the NHS.

And while I can only speak from my own experience here in the West, it’s important to remember that many disabled people around the world face even bigger barriers. In countries like India and across parts of Africa, access to medical care, mobility aids, and even basic healthcare is far harder to come by. The idea that “health financing matters” becomes a literal matter of survival, not just comfort or convenience.

Navigating Family, Traditions & Access Needs

Navigating the holidays as a disabled person is so hard, there is a lot of pressure on everyone this time of year. However, I find the season to be a mixture of overwhelming and enjoyable. The idea of meeting up with friends and family gives me so much joy, but with that is the realisation that not everyone ‘gets it’.

Having less money because of living on benefits, means buying lots of presents is impossible. On top of this, people might want to include you, but did they think about my wheelchair when they booked a venue upstairs, with no lift? And did they ask catering about food for allergies?

Often, we can feel like we need to let our boundaries down this time of year to accommodate the people we love. The guilt and emotions that can come from saying no can feel like they are going to just cause more issues between family and friends. As well as putting more onto disabled carers like me when it comes to getting to events and looking after people in different places.

This year I am hoping to change this narrative, here are a few things I am doing this year that might also help anyone navigating the holidays as a disabled person:

Only say yes to things I really want to do – saying no and not feeling guilty is my mantra this season to relieve the pressure and overwhelm.
Smaller Decorations – I am not having a tree this year, instead just a garland with a few of our favourite baubles. Along with some cute décor and soft cosy vibe this is enough for my fatigue to cope with.
Frozen Christmas dinner – I am letting go of pressure and making sure that even if I am having a low-spoon day I can enjoy the season. Our dinner is all frozen this year and, in our freezer, ready to be cooked on the day easily. This means we will not have to go out and battle the seasons shoppers and can stay home instead.
Cosy moments – I am more about small cosy moments, with books set during the season, cheesy Christmas movies and cosy seasonal furnishings. This means so much more and is more manageable than trying to go big and feeling overwhelmed.

The Hidden Costs of Staying Well

This year’s theme of IDPD is Health Financing Matters, and with 1.3 billion people worldwide living with disabilities, it really does. Being able to access healthcare and to have the right mobility aids and to just get around are all big issues that we are fighting for. But should we have to fight for these things?

Every person on this planet has worth, and our world should be set up so that we can work, we can get to and from that job. It should be that we can pay to feed ourselves and our families, and to control our homes temperature so it is comfortable and safe. These are the basics, they are what we have governments for, so why is the world not set up like this?

That is why we have the International Day for People with Disabilities; a chance to fight against an inaccessible world where we are used as pawns by people wanting power and money.

Disabled people make up the largest minority in the world with people from every nationality and culture included. But the reality is so many disabled people are unable to work because it is not accessible or they wouldn’t be considered due to their needs. We also have disabled people being paid less, if at all for working alongside able bodied people who are paid.

The financial strain of these things alongside the uncertainty and low amounts we get on benefits is so hard on our mental health. Disabled people are not always able to fight for what they need, and without allies and people alongside us like World Health Organisation we would be in an even worse situation.

So, this holiday season be gentle with yourself, and if you have disabled family and friends maybe lighten their load? Make sure family events are held at accessible venues and that they can afford to be buying presents or even to have the heating on. Let’s bring back community and compassion to the world and don’t forget how every day all over the world people are struggling, together we can make a difference.

Just like Elvis, I dream of a world that is more accessible and more compassionate to people who are disabled. Reality is very different, so please if you are navigating the holidays as a disabled person, remember you are not alone. You have permission to set boundaries, to rest, and to do gentle self-care to support your mental and physical health.

I wish you ease, warmth and spoons, as we step into the winter season, and I hope this post has given you some ideas and comfort. Let me know in the comments how you are going to celebrate with compassion and love to yourself as much as to others, I would love to know.

Spoons & Sparkles xx

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