By: K Crystal Griffith
Staff contributing writer & Subscriber
Medical Mom Warriors & Caregivers,
How many of you have a section of your garage, half the room, perhaps even a full room for your loved one, filled with medical supplies?
It feels like your life is overrun by the medical clutter … everywhere! The bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, car that is a constant reminder of what season of life you’re in but also the amount of “stuff” needed to get through it.
My loved one has a specific medical bag with an oximeter, blood pressure cuff, epi-pen, electrolyte salt pills, Benadryl, activated charcoal, weighted heating pad, backup food due to allergies, and her latest present, an ekg monitor for her phone. Typically, these smaller medical necessities on the go or traveling we have a red alert bag to keep it in purview. When at home, these items plus many larger ones tend to be strewn throughout the house, or supposedly fit well into a shower caddie that we bought. It seems to be a rare day that happens.
Our garage has quite a collection, from bed railings to bath chairs and benches, crutches, fold up walkers, roller walkers, a Hugo version too, portable wheelchairs and the latest contribution to our collection is a full-length leg brace. And for those of you who walk this medical mom warrior journey, you know you can’t just declutter and give away those supplies. You have no idea when the next fun event will require them!
By fluke a few years ago, I came up with a decluttering solution that has not only helped give me back some of my garage, but also helped those who needed some of the goods in a pinch.
At this point, we have helped with the wheelchair for a number of families, the bath benches more times than I can count, the walkers to some hip replacement friends, the toilet rise several times, and crutches time after time. I may need a checkout system! One time I had 3 families need the wheelchair all at once…first come, first served. All our friends know to call us first for medical supplies before rushing to buy or rent.
It works though. I know where the items are if we need them ourselves, clears the clutter, and honestly doesn’t constantly remind us they may be needed at any time.
Perhaps you could try our little medical supply checkout system. Free up your space physically, emotionally, and mentally while you renew someone’s faith in charitable humanity.
PS > Had to add this incredible hack a doctor in the ER gave us last trip. She read my daughter’s chart before coming in and asked if something weighted would help her anxiety. I knew the usual ER weighted blankets weren’t more than a few pounds, so I was curious where this was going. She left and returned with an x-ray apron!! This is GENIUS! It’s full body, really weighted, and the hospital has them easily accessible for peds and adults. She is also our new favorite ER doc!
You’ve got this 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! Have a cup of tea with me. 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.
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