There’s not much that feels worse than getting stuck in a hospital during the holiday season or having to miss a special celebration due to appointments or illnesses. Of course, there’s the trauma of being in the hospital again, but it’s also lonely, isolating, and demoralizing to feel like everyone gets to celebrate except for your family. You might feel pressure to experience the holiday early or find ways to celebrate in the hospital – or you might be too exhausted and just skip the event altogether. Whichever way your family chooses to navigate these difficult circumstances is totally valid, and in this episode, Amanda and I share experiences from listeners on how they make it through these moments. We cover feedback from how awful it feels to be inpatient during big events to practical tips to celebrate when you’re in the hospital to encouragement on handling these tough situations in whatever way is easiest and safest for you and your family. A big, big thank you to all our listeners who sent in tips, clips, and feelings to share with everyone. We used all of your feedback to create this episode, and we are so grateful! Links: Listen to Amanda’s other episodes on The Rare Life: Ep 135: How Our Careers are Affected, Ep 132: Self-Care, Ep 131: Chronic Stress, Ep 130: Anticipatory Grief, Ep 109: Isolating to Avoid Illness, Ep 108: Why the Holidays Suck, Ep 99: Family Planning, Ep 85: Disability Identity, & Ep 81: Health Anxiety. Visit Icing Smiles for custom cakes when in the hospital. Visit the Confetti Foundation for birthday boxes for hospitalized children. Visit Little Wishes, a foundation that brings special moments to children who are inpatient. Follow Amanda Griffith-Atkins on Instagram @amanda.griffith.atkins! Follow us on Instagram @the_rare_life! Donate to the podcast or Contact me about sponsoring an episode. Fill out our contact form to get a reminder about upcoming discussion meetings and the Skype link to join! Access the transcript on the website here. And if you love this podcast, please leave us a rating or review in your favorite podcast app!