{"id":2251,"date":"2025-04-17T05:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-17T04:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/?p=2251"},"modified":"2025-10-28T12:36:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T12:36:45","slug":"the-disabled-persons-guide-to-surviving-easter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/the-disabled-persons-guide-to-surviving-easter\/","title":{"rendered":"The Disabled Person\u2019s Guide to Surviving Easter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Easter is coming and though some people are excited for family times or events, some of us are dreading it and are already feeling the overwhelm creeping in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With its bright colours, loud gatherings, and social expectations, Easter can be an overwhelming time for many people. For people who are disabled or neurodivergent, the sensory load, social pressure, and changes to routine can become not only stressful but debilitating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While others might view Easter as a joyful break, for some disabled and neurodivergent people, it often means navigating a complex maze of accessibility barriers, sensory overload, and social fatigue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, let\u2019s look at why Easter can be such a challenging time, and offer some practical strategies and solutions to reduce overwhelm, take control, and prioritise your wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s normalise that not everyone loves a social event!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Why Easter can be Overwhelming<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Easter is typically associated with family get-togethers, religious services, school holidays, chocolate egg hunts, and community events. But underneath the surface, several factors can trigger stress and discomfort:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Sensory Overload<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shops filled with bright packaging, loud music, and artificial lighting. Religious services with incense and crowded spaces. Children\u2019s events packed with noise and activity. All of these can overwhelm sensory processing systems, especially for autistic people or those with sensory processing disorder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of our members is the mum of a 12-year-old autistic child, Alfie. She told us that he becomes physically distressed when visiting busy supermarkets around Easter due to the high-pitched promotional jingles and crowds. His mum tends to try to shop during the quiet periods but often they are during school times, and Alfie does still want to go and choose his easter egg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Changes to Routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Neurodivergent people, including those with autism or ADHD, often rely on routine. The long weekend, school closures, and disruption to work schedules can cause anxiety or disorientation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are also people who live with energy limiting conditions who have learnt to pace themselves around routine. When this is lost, it can be incredibly difficult to deal with and this can have knock-on effects that are still about even when the \u2018too many chocolate eggs\u2019 bellyache has passed!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Social Pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Family expectations to attend meals, travel to relatives, or participate in religious rituals can be exhausting, both mentally and physically. Disabled people often feel pressured to \u201cpush through\u201d their symptoms to avoid disappointing others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When I use a wheelchair, I find the pressure from extended family to attend Easter lunch at a non-accessible venue causes anxiety and pain. But it is easy to feel that you have to ignore your own needs to accommodate everyone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Food and Dietary Challenges<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
People with specific dietary needs, due to allergies, diabetes, sensory preferences, or gastrointestinal conditions, may find it hard to navigate meals out, especially if they are home cooked by family members or community. There is a lack of understanding around dietary needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Strategies to Reduce Easter Overwhelm<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While Easter might bring unique challenges, there are actionable ways to protect your wellbeing and create a season that works for you, not against you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communicate your limits and needs to friends, family, and carers well in advance. It\u2019s okay to decline invitations, request alternative arrangements, or leave early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Use scripts like: \u201cThank you for the invite, but I\u2019ll need to skip this year for my own health,\u201d or \u201cCan we meet somewhere quieter or more accessible?\u201d <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
2. Create Your Own Routine<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While external routines might change, you can still build a temporary one for the Easter period. This could include scheduled quiet time, medication reminders, sensory-friendly activities, or planned meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Use visual schedules, alarms, or written plans to provide structure. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you know you\u2019ll be in a high-stimulation environment, bring noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidget tools, or scented items that calm you. Practice deep pressure or grounding techniques before and after events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Apps like Calm Harm<\/em>, Breathing Space<\/em>, or Headspace<\/em> can help regulate emotions. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
4. Reframe the Holiday<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t have to participate in Easter the way others do. Redefine it on your own terms. That might mean watching your favourite film in PJs with a hot water bottle, planting seeds, or crafting in a quiet room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Your joy doesn\u2019t have to look like mainstream joy, celebrate what brings you comfort. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
5. Use Low-Energy Communication<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When overwhelmed, communication can feel impossible. Pre-prepare messages or \u201cspoonie cards\u201d that explain your needs. You can also use text messages, emojis, or symbols to convey feelings quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Example: A coloured card system (red = need space, yellow = unsure, green = okay to talk) works well for people who are non-verbal or semi-verbal during shutdowns. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
6. Pace Yourself<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you live with fatigue, pain, or sensory issues, energy management is key. Prioritise events that matter most to you and plan rest before and after. Use the \u201cSpoon Theory\u201d to visualise your energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Break events into stages (e.g., attend just the meal, not the whole day). <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
7. Have an Exit Strategy<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is the biggie for me! If you decide to attend an event, plan an exit strategy. Agree with a trusted person in advance about how and when you\u2019ll leave. Bring items that help you recover afterward, such as a blanket, pain medications, weighted lap pad, heat pads or audio book. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two of the Purpl team admitted that they have to leave parties early so often that one has the nickname ‘Cinderella’ (as they alway leave before midnight!) and the other has the nickname ‘Au Revoir’ (as they are well known to do a ‘french exit’)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
How to be a Disability Ally this Easter<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
These difficulties and barriers may not all affect you, but they could well affect the people you love. You can be a great ally to the disabled and neurodivergent community by being aware and sensitive to people\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow our guide and consider things like noise sensitivity, dietary requirements, the need for a quiet space, accessibility and understanding that if your guest leaves early or doesn\u2019t make it, it\u2019s not personal to you, it\u2019s personal to them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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