How To Look After Your Disabled Friends This Christmas

By Sofia Bulut, Music Production Student at Leeds Conservatoire

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Christmas is a really great time of the year. Even if you don’t celebrate this time of year there’s a lot to look forward to, like time off work to spend time with your loved ones.

But, for disabled people like myself, this time of year can also bring a lot of stress and anxiety. To make sure we’re heard, here are some things you can do to help disabled people this Christmas.

1. Go shopping with or for them

Food shopping for some disabled people can be really difficult normally, so go with your friend and help them shop.

This time of year is super super busy, so the risk of us getting bumped into or crowded is at an all-time high. It can feel like an uphill battle, but having someone there to help with the bags makes things feel a little easier.

2. Spend time with them

An obvious one, no? Disabled people can’t do some things that able bodied people can, for example, walking around Christmas markets, going ice skating, or going Christmas shopping for a lengthy amount of time.

I remember last year feeling so incredibly low because all my friends could do things that I couldn’t during Christmas time. I felt like a burden for asking them to do something else with me.

Spend time with your disabled friends, make them feel included by inviting them to an activity you know they’ll be able to do — or even better, ask them what they’d like to do!

3. Watch Christmas films with them

Everyone has at least one guilty pleasure Christmas film that they like to watch. When I was at my worst last year and couldn’t move from my bed, I used to watch films with my friends all the time.

Having someone there with you when you’re stuck in bed makes things a little brighter, so take over your favourite snacks and snuggle up with a festive film.

Why only three tips?

Every disabled person is different, and there are so many disabilities out there — I’m mainly focusing on the physical ones because that’s what I have. Ask your disabled friends what they would like to do, not everyone’s interests are the same.

Yes, the tips I have made are pretty basic. But you know what? The most basic ones have the most impact. It’s what I wished that people would do for me when I wasn’t able to walk or leave my flat.

Christmas for anyone can be quite lonely and overwhelming, but especially so for disabled students. You’ve entered a new chapter in your life and you’re living with people who, for the first time, don’t know the ins and outs of your disability. That can be really hard.

So please, look out for your disabled friends this Christmas, they’ll appreciate it more than you’ll know.

And for my fellow disabled students out there, don’t be scared to ask for help or to ask your friends to chill with

you. You’re worth someone’s time. That took a while for me to understand, but I think I’m getting there.

Looking for something to treat your friends with this festive season? Check out our most popular gift ideas for under £25.