These are things you’re going to want to build for yourself if you’re chronically ill. When you go out, you need to be prepared in case something goes wrong, to at least help yourself until professional help arrives or you can get to a safe space.
If you are a regular hospital visitor, you need to make an emergency overnight bag. You either grab it as the ambulance is arriving or you tell a loved one “I need X bag in X location” so that nobody has to scramble around for things and wasting time.
If I leave the house, this bag does not leave my side.
It is big enough to contain (aside from my keys, wallet, and phone)
First Aid kit (grey cosmetics bag)
Water
Umbrella
Deodorant
Wheelchair gloves
eReader
Emergency phone charger
That charger lives with you. It does not leave your bag. If you need help and your phone is dead, you’re probably not gonna be able to easily get to a working phone or remember numbers, or potentially know your location if you need to call an ambulance. Make sure your phone is charged.
Pack old clothes. Hospitals can be gross. I’ve bled all over mine, sweated etc. Not a fashion show. Old clothes you don’t mind getting ruined.
Things need to be loose. My jeans are jeggings (stretchy waist) because if I can’t wear normal pants from pain. You need things that allow doctors access (shirts easily moved for needles or what have you.)
Pack shoes for the shower (if you can shower.) Floors can be unsanitary and the last thing you want is a fungal infection.
Toiletries – tiny shampoo/conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste, baby wipes and hair treatment (if you can’t shower), moisturiser (cold hospital air dries out your skin), and lipbalm
Apps
ICE (In Case of Emergency) Card – lists your name, weight, height, emergency contacts, diseases, allergies, medication, and personal notes for paramedics. Can send out alarm calls or messages and is available on your home screen (if you want to set it up that way)
Medisafe – track your medication and set reminders. You can set it up to automatically text someone if you skip a dose.
FibroMapp – tracks chronic pain and sleep, and helps you illustrate pain levels, times, triggers, and relief
Emergency+ (Australian) – gives your exact location and surrounding streets to give to paramedics. You can call from this app.
First Aid (Australian) – gives you step by step instructions to help yourself or someone else
Even if you’re not disabled yourself, please rb this because it can genuinely help people who are
Nava 