I vividly remember trying to rummage through my newly-delivered Bounty Bag minutes before my newly-delivered son tried his best (again) to wake up every other baby on the maternity ward.
The nurse told me he was the noisiest baby they’d seen in a long while and I hoped she was joking.
Anyway, the Bounty Bag. A corporate free-for-all where baby-related companies give you a whole stack of freebies and booklets in order to entice you into swearing allegiance to them for evermore. Some people sneer at them, but for me, living in London without close relatives nearby or friends who weren’t falling out of nightclubs, the Bag had magical properties. Someone, somewhere had been through it before and thought I might just like a few tips.
Ethics to one side (nice try, flogging goods to women who had just been through the hell that is childbirth), wouldn’t it be great if newly-diagnosed peeps were handed a bag stuffed full of information and a few goodies to see us on our way?
From what I’ve heard, a lot of us are in the dark at diagnosis. We’ve probably googled ourselves silly, gorged on doom and gloom websites and come out the other side crying into our cornflakes.
So, here’s what I would have included in mine:
- Lots and lots of booklets from those lovely people at the MS Society and the MS Trust – sanity in the wilderness.
- A voucher for a months supply of Waitrose ready-meals. And of course, Dominos for The Teenager.
- Some posh pillar candles (red-rimmed eyes magically disappear in candlelight).
- A good few bars of Swiss chocolate. And maybe some jellybeans.
- A large box of very soft tissues.
- An expensive throw for the sofa.
Disclaimer: MS is individual to everyone so it makes sense to offer bespoke bags….
What would you have in yours?
A list of reliable MS organizations/websites for information resources.
A national list of MS specialists/doctors.
A Squeeze Breeze misting fan and cooling scarf (or something similar) with an explanation of how heat affects those with MS.
Interested to see what others have to say.
I LOVE your ideas!! Forgot about the cooling, lol.
X
Mobile phone number for your MS nurse
Stress ball
url for the MS Trust
copy of Multiple Sclerosis – the Essential Guide by Leonie Martin
I’m sure there are more things but how;’s that for starters?
I haven’t read that book, so have scribbled a note to myself, thank you!
A stress ball is an excellent idea. One to chuck against the wall when I’m lying on the sofa, again. Maybe in the shape of a myelin sheath??
x
To add to your list, the most comfy bed/sofa in the world, pain killers/meds that are not harmful, no more the look, your blaming your MS again, we all no that look, batteries for TV and radio,
The most comfy clothes you can find, shoes that don’t trip us, but look good. I could go on but I won’t.
Great read again, thanks x
Inspired!
Yup, I swapped my old sofas for new ones pretty sharpish. Best decision ever. Very comfy and squishy yet firm 🙂 A couple of throws and some soft cushions and I’m ready for any fatigue emergency. I also bought a whole bunch of lounging clothes which are perfect for the bad days. Well, and the good when I’m feeling lazy.
X
You forgot the bottle of Red Wine ! otherwise spot on
Gah!! Perfect addition. Mr Merlot is welcome at mine anytime lol.
x