H-O-L-I-D-A-Y-S

December is a time for sharing family traditions! Happy Holidays and Happy Hanukkah! From Dankmeyer to all of our patients and friends!

H - Holidays

Are a time of hope and wonder for children. The adults are hoping the New Year comes with happiness and change. It has been a hard year. 2020 has been the biggest challenge we have seen in a long time. We cannot let this dissuade us though. We have to look for the good things in our days and we do have so much truly to be thankful for if we look around us. This holiday, traditions will look a bit different for so many - but embrace the moments, as they are never promised to us. Even in the advent of Zoom, we can still sing Christmas carols and even play board games. Let us see how inventive we can be. I know I am up for the challenge!

O - Open

Your hearts and think of others that are less fortunate than we are. It could be a phone call to make that much needed contact that can make a difference. The holidays can be such a lonely time when your mobility is limited, or you live alone. I have seen many people reaching out via social media asking if anyone would love to receive a Christmas card. Perfect strangers are trying to make a difference with a card and a postage stamp. What a fantastic idea! Christmas cards were a special thing in our home as my mom had family in England. So between a short phone call, a card, and then mailing of a special Christmas box it was how we shared our joy.

L - Love

What a beautiful word. It brings smiles to our faces and joy to our hearts. Love - be sure to share it in some way over the holidays. Make a special dinner for your loved one. Share trimming the tree or wrapping gifts. Make your own gifts! Nothing says love more than a homemade gift. In my grandmother’s home, we drew names and made a special gift for them. Not anything super fancy, but the love and excitement went into it and then the joy of happily presenting it to them made our holiday special.

I - Inspire

Someone, a friend, a family member, co-worker - just think of something you could do and share it. Just being kind can inspire others to be kind to all they meet. With masks it is hard to show our facial expressions so our gestures take their place. Collect some non- perishables for a local church or group. Send a virtual holiday card!

 D - Dance

To the sounds of holiday music. There is a way for all of us to dance! I loved to dance with my mom in her wheelchair. I would twirl her and spin her about. It gave her so much joy! Dancing not only burns calories but also gives us a sense of relief. It takes our stresses of the day away. So do your Funky Chicken! Do your Macarena! Just move, sway, and laugh. We all need to laugh!

                                                                                                                   A - Anticipation

Remember the feelings you had as a child as the holiday season drew closer? I remember, and it was the best feeling. We never slept Christmas Eve because we wanted to hear Santa’s reindeer on the roof. I still feel excited for the holidays and New Year’s is just around the corner. We can never lose hope. I know it seems easy to say but it is easier to give into all the negativity that is coming at us right now. Therefore, look beyond it, in anticipation that better days will come and the sun will shine on our lives again. It just requires a bit of patience.

Y - Yuletide

I always think of holiday songs when I hear this word. It is funny the dictionary defines it as an archaic term for Christmas. I think Yuletide is recognized as one of the most memorable words for the holidays. So as the holiday days come and go be sure to remember to share the spirit of holidays whereever you are. If you have a fireplace, light it! if you do not, turn your TV screen into one as I do! If you have a karaoke machine sing via Zoom to your family and friends or just to your pets. I just want to remind people to celebrate the holidays with whatever is your tradition and just hope that next year the holidays can be different.

S - Spirit!

Yes the spirit of the holidays! It is alive and well. I see people decorating their homes with lights that brighten up the night sky. I see all sorts of events cancelled and yes, that can dim our spirit but instead find your light in your home with your family. We truly are all in this together and if we can hang on a bit longer maybe, just maybe the thing that has changed our lives will dim and go away. Until then please count our blessings, keep hope alive, be kind, give to others and most of all embrace your families this holiday. If you know someone who is alone - reach out by phone but do your best to make a difference in this difficult time. Happy holidays from my place to yours!

“May your days be Merry and Bright and May all your Christmases be white.”

White Christmas Movie released in 1942, Sung by Bing Crosby. Written by: Irving Berlin

These tips are informed suggestions. If you do not feel comfortable with them, please do not attempt them. Instead as always contact your medical professional or your prosthetist for help and advice. 

If you have a question for me about living as an amputee, ask! And if I don’t know the answer, I will find it for you, and I will leave no stone unturned to help you find your own personal new normal. If there is a topic you would like me to feature please let me know! I want us all to grow strong together.  Email me at Dawn@dankmeyer.com. This email is not secure, so if you wish to keep any specific health information private, you should call us!

Dawn Miranda recently joined Dankmeyer, Inc. as a Prosthetist Assistant after relocating from San Antonio, TX.  To read more about Dawn on our Clinical Staff page, click here.