By: K Crystal Griffith Staff contributing writer & Subscriber
Summer Funshine is around the bend! Late summer nights, water balloon fights, water slides, vacations, and more … And yet for us as medical mom warriors, it may look at bit different.
Let’s chat summer life hacks that will make your life easier so you can enjoy that sunshine yourself!
As I scoured the web for ideas that could meet a variety of needs, talents and abilities, I came across a few that could spark ideas for you. Bookmark this page or tear it off and put it on the fridge!
- Water play: Swimming, water tables, and water balloons can all be great ways to cool off and have fun in the sun. Make sure to consult with your child’s doctor first to ensure that they can participate safely.
- Sitting Water balloon toss: Fill up a bunch of water balloons and have two people sit facing each other with their legs spread apart. They can toss the water balloon back and forth to each other without using their hands.
- Sponge relay race: Divide into teams and have each team sit in a line with a bucket of water and a sponge at the front of the line. The first person dips the sponge in the water and passes it overhead to the person behind them, who then passes it between their legs to the next person, and so on. The last person in line squeezes the sponge into a bucket at the end of the line and the first team to fill up their bucket wins.
- Splash battle: Divide into two teams and use plastic cups or buckets to try and splash the other team. The team that gets the other team the wettest wins.
- Floating object race: Have everyone sit in a circle and pass a floating object (like a beach ball or a rubber duck) around the circle using only their noses.
- Arts and crafts: Painting, drawing, and other creative activities can be a great way to keep your child entertained and engaged. You can even make your own sidewalk chalk or DIY bubbles.
- Painting with your mouth: One way to create art without the use of your hands is to hold a paintbrush or a marker in your mouth. You can try creating abstract designs or landscapes using this method.
- Collage-making: Collage-making involves arranging various materials such as magazine cutouts, fabric, and paper into a larger piece of art. This can be a fun and tactile activity that encourages creativity and self-expression.
- Mosaics: Mosaics involve creating designs using small pieces of glass, tile, or stone. You can create a variety of designs such as wall hangings, picture frames, or tabletops.
- Digital art: Using a computer or tablet, you can create art using various software programs or apps. There are also adaptive devices such as mouth sticks, head pointers, and eye gaze technology that can make it easier to control the mouse or stylus.
- Virtual field trips: Many museums and other attractions offer virtual tours or activities. You can explore everything from art museums to space stations from the comfort of your own home.
- Museums: Many museums offer virtual tours that allow you to explore their collections online. You can view exhibits and learn about art, history, and science from around the world. (https://upgradedpoints.com/travel/best-virtual-museum-tours/ )
- National parks: Several national parks offer virtual tours and webcams that allow you to explore their natural beauty from afar. You can see wildlife, mountains, and other landscapes without leaving your home. (https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/take-virtual-visit-national-park )
- Zoos and aquariums: Zoos and aquariums offer virtual tours and live animal webcams that allow you to see and learn about different animals from around the world. (https://wbkr.com/free-virtual-aquarium-tours-from-across-the-world-video/) (https://www.weareteachers.com/zoo-virtual-field-trips/)
- Cultural events: Many cultural events such as music festivals and parades offer live-streamed or recorded events that you can enjoy from home. You can experience different cultures and traditions without having to travel. (https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/community–events/cultural/)
- Summer Camps: Many camps offer specialized medical care for specific disabilities or one-on-one buddies, while other camps provide tutoring for individuals with learning disabilities in addition to outdoor activities.
- Check with your local Children’s Hospitals. Children’s Hospital Colorado offers summer camp programs designed to meet the needs of children who may find a mainstream or “regular” camp program difficult, or who need special care while away from home. (720-777-6655)
its own menu of summer programs. (https://www.friendshipcircle.org/ blog/2013/02/13/25-summer-camps-for-individuals-with-special-needs)
- EasterSeals: Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. Nationwide options for summer camps (https://www.easterseals.com)
- Check with your OT, PT, ABA, or other therapy provider. Many will hold day mini-camps throughout the summer.
A few tips you may not know about!
- There are hotels sites specifically for those with disabilities. Check out AccessibleGO: The world’s only hotel-booking site just for travelers with disabilities.(https://go.accessiblego.com )
- In Colorado, if you have EBT SNAP Discounts, many museums now have an EBT program offering a dramatically reduced cost for tickets, some only $1! Check for your state. (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/ ebt-discounts )
- This state also offer State FREE Days throughout the year. Check for your state. https://www.uncovercolorado.com/free-admission-days-in-colorado/ )
- National Park Service offers a FREE lifetime access pass to anyone with a disability. “The Interagency Access Pass is part of the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass series and is available free for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.” (https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/interagency-access-pass.htm)
- Disability-specific discount websites: These have lists of discounted and free access passes for disabled including; nature and theme parks, museums, cinemas, transportation, as well as other free services, programs, activities, and products from private, government agencies, and non-profit organizations that provide free disabled services or discounted benefits and access. Some examples include Disability Discounts (https://www.dontpayfull.com/explore/disability-discounts-guide) and Disabled World (https://www.disabled-world.com/ entertainment/discounts/)
You’ve got this summer funshine in the bag, Medical Mom Warrior!
As a gift to my fellow medical warriors, reach out and I’ll send you a few other quick tricks to add to your toolkit to keep your sanity and your child’s! www.KCrystalGriffith.com Medical Mom Warriors must stick together for sanity, medical life hacks, and connections while we walk a journey we never expected, with those we wouldn’t trade for the world. Until next time, stay healthy and reach out on social media @ KCrystalGriffith. I’d love to hear your best Medical Mom Warrior tool in your toolkit!
Life happens on the way to destiny, leading Crystal to walk with clients through deployments, life-threatening allergies, autoimmune diseases, cancer, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, marriage difficulties, abuse, PTSD, reactive attachment disorders, dissociative disorders, generational traumas, and all the things that go bump in the night and have influenced Crystal’s life directly as well. Crystal is a Dual Certified Inner Healing Practitioner, Business Coach and Challenges Consultant to help other kingdom impact entrepreneurs.
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