If you class yourself as what most people would call “average” when it comes to leaving the house, your mental checklist probably looks something like this: keys, purse, phone. These days, a lot of people don’t even bother with a purse if they have Google Pay or Apple Pay. Maybe you’ll throw in a phone charger or cable for good measure, but that’s about it.
When you’re disabled, living with a chronic illness, or you’re a parent — let alone both — the list grows. And it grows fast.
The reality of leaving the house when you have extra needs
For me, on top of the usual essentials, I have to think about:
Medication – because I can’t risk being without it. Walking aids – sometimes that’s Amelia’s buggy, other times it’s my crutches. Hearing aid batteries – because I’ve been caught out before and it’s not fun. Hearing aid storage box – so I have somewhere safe to put them if I need a break. Hearing aid pin – to open them up and turn them off if I need to. Bus pass – my disabled person’s bus pass is invaluable for hospital trips and appointments.
Yesterday was a perfect example. I had an 8:15am hospital appointment to collect and calibrate my new hearing aids. Amelia and I had stayed the night at my in-laws because Ryan had been working a 12-hour shift the day before and wouldn’t have got home until 9pm. If we’d waited for him to get back and then gone to my in-laws, it would have made for a very, very long day. Instead, we went after I finished work the day before.
The next morning, I left at 6:50am and had to get two buses to make it to the hospital on time. I was extremely grateful for my bus pass — without it, the cost and complexity of the trip would have been far more difficult to manage. I was just as grateful for my in-laws, because calibrating hearing aids needs complete silence… and, let’s be honest, two-year-olds and silence simply don’t go together.
Planning my mornings around my disability, my health, and parenting isn’t just about convenience — it’s about making sure I can actually manage the day ahead.
The “Amelia” version of the checklist
When Amelia’s with me, the list doubles. I need to pack:
Spare outfit Nappies and wipes Reins – because she’s at the stage where she wants to run everywhere (and she’s quick — definitely takes after her dad).
And this list will only grow later this year when we start potty training properly.
Why this matters
If you live with a disability or chronic illness, you’ll know that forgetting one small thing can completely derail your day. That’s why I’ve learned to treat leaving the house like a mini-military operation — not because I’m overthinking, but because it’s what keeps me safe, prepared, and able to enjoy life with my little one.
Whether you’re a disabled parent, a carer, or simply someone who juggles a lot, having your own tailored “leave-the-house checklist” can be a lifesaver.
Call to action: If this blog resonated with you, please like and subscribe so you don’t miss more real-life parenting and disability posts. And I’d love to hear from you — what’s on your must-have checklist when you leave the house?
Here’s your downloadable Disabled Mum’s Leave-the-House Checklist PDF:
References
Scope UK. Living with disability: Daily challenges and adjustments. Scope.org.uk. National Deaf Children’s Society. Hearing aid care and maintenance. ndcs.org.uk.
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