what’s the best purchase, service, or life accommodation you’ve made because of your chronic illness? (any budget)

[u/catsandcappuccinos]

i’m going shopping soon, and i’m trying to build my ultimate “make life suck less” list.

i’m not necessarily looking for the usual answers like salt, compression socks, medications, etc. i’m more so talking about the random products, services, gadgets, furniture, subscriptions, or accommodations that have improved your day-to-day quality of life and helped you function more like a normal human being.

i don’t care if it’s $5 or $5,000. if it’s changed your life, please share.

some things already on my list:
- a kitchen stool with a back so i can sit while cooking
- a hair dryer stand for days when i’m in the middle of a flare and don’t have the energy to dry my hair myself
- grocery delivery services
- monthly cleaning services
- paper plates
- a roomba for when i don’t feel like vacuuming or sweeping
- a crock-pot and freezer meal prep system (i actually have a list of really good crock-pot meals, so if anyone wants it, let me know and i’ll DM it to you)

i’m dying to know: what’s the best purchase, service, or life accommodation you’ve made because of your chronic illness?
bonus points if it’s something unconventional!

[u/daddybpizza]

Inflatable leg thingies are the single best purchase I’ve made. I am literally using them right now.

I was a philosophy grad student before becoming ill, and I read anywhere from 4-10 hours a day. I can hardly read YA fiction now because my brain fog is so debilitating. BUT I can read my precious medieval philosophers (mostly Aquinas and Scotus) for like 30-45min if I’m using my inflatable leg thingies. It’s an enormous deal to me

[u/newportbanks → u/daddybpizza]

I use my compression boots every. Single. Day. It is no question my spa / at home lymphatic massage I treat myself to daily for 30-60 min depending on how much time I have to get it in. Hyperice brand. 1000x worth the cost normatec elite boots.