In my last post, we talked about expectations, rights, and attitudes and how to enjoy a birthday (or celebration or holiday) when you’re sick. Today, I thought we’d explore some creative ideas on how to circumvent the limitations chronic illness brings when it comes to birthdays.
Birthday Parties
This one was a tricky one. I’ll admit, I haven’t actually had a birthday party since getting sick. Either I haven’t yet known people where we live when a post-sickness birthday rolls around, or I’ve simply been too sick to get out of bed, let alone socialize for a few hours. Parties take a whole lot of spoons (energy), and for those with chemical sensitivity or mold poisoning, it can be difficult to hang out in a group of people, let alone invite them to your house.
So what to do?
Well, there is always the option of outdoors parties. I’ve had a lot of fun with scavenger hunt parties in the past. 🙂 Or maybe just play a board game at a park… it’s easy and hopefully, doesn’t require much energy. You can also ask people to do (or not do) certain things to fit with your restrictions.
If you’re too sick for even that, another option I’ve thought of is a virtual birthday party. You can do it from your bed or couch, and it solves the problem of not yet knowing anyone where you live (if you’ve had to move because of mold). Just use Skype or Google Hangouts (both are free), set a time, and hang out with your friends! Maybe even play Pictionary, Balderdash, or Scattegories. All it takes is some creativity.
Birthday Cakes
Again, you don’t have to give up on this all together just because you’re sick or have food sensitivities. For those with food sensitivities or allergies, even something as simple as berries can be a treat depending on their specific restrictions.
Just doing a little thing to make it special…. putting it on a special plate, sprinkling cocoa powder on top, or arranging it in a smiley face means a lot. Yes, it’s going to be hard to realize that yet again you face a year without a birthday cake, but for more on that look at my previous post (mentioned earlier).
One year, my family made me a beef and parsnip cake!
My ground beef and parsnip birthday cake. 🙂
Also, for those with MCS, candles can be tricky. Either you can go without, just pretend they have a flame, use a flashlight, or use fake candles. You know- the kind that’s like a tealight candle and that has a fake light that makes the flame? (Well, it’s a real light, but a fake flame… XD…. #brainfog.)
Birthday Day Celebrations
And then there’s the actual day itself. I don’t know about you, but my family has always done something special the day of a family member’s birthday. Sometimes the birthday boy/girl wants to go hiking, or swimming, or to the movie theatre… you name it.
But when you are too sick to get out of bed, that sort of gets thrown out the window. However, the day can still be special. (Yep, you guessed it: you just have to be creative.) Instead of our usual birthday adventures, my family made my birthday special in other ways… one year, they dragged my mattress out to the living room and bought a movie on Amazon. They also got people to write letters to me, had them make fun videos, and scheduled calls. Maybe play a board game as a family.
Another crazy (but fun) idea is to schedule a call with one of their heroes if you can. For my sister’s birthday, we arranged for her to talk to one of her favorite authors on video chat (because, like me, my sister loves to write). Be creative! 😉