The Flu Shot Campaign
Every fall majority of the population get themselves a flu shot. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. It is what we would call a crap shoot. This year the approach to flu shots seems so much simpler doesn’t it? Just f’ing get one.
It is quite clear especially in the great state of Wisconsin that we need to protect ourselves as best as we can so we do not tax the health care system more than it already is. I mean really, every sneeze that comes out of my family member’s noses causes a teeny tiny freak-out in my brain so I cannot even begin to imagine what it would be like if one of us got the flu. So my dear readers, please do yourselves, your loved ones and your local healthcare facility favor and get yourself a flu shot.
I am stepping off my soap box now.
With being a high risk family you can imagine how desperately I wanted the kids and I to get a flu shot. Notice the word desperate here because while it is not a problem for Ali and I to get one it is literally like an act of God to get Jake a shot of any kind.
When it comes to doing blood work or getting shots Jake struggles immensely as his Sensory Processing Disorder kicks his sensory system into overdrive. Two years ago Jake’s doctor order some bloodwork and while we were attempting to do this he escaped three adults and bolted for the doors. Thankfully he stopped before leaving the building but he managed to run out of the room, out of the lab, thru the lobby and stop just short of the doors exiting the building. It is safe to say it scared the living crap out of me.
Jake was labeled a flight risk.
His doctor prescribed anti-anxiety medication in order for him to even sit to have his blood taken. I will never attempt to have Jake get any blood work or shots without his dad with us.
Jake skipped the flu shot that year.
Jake skipped the flu shot last year too.
But he could not skip the flu shot this year. So I began my flu shot campaign at the end of August. While I did not have fancy billboards I did have the best infomercials. It went something like this.
“So kids, we are going to do our flu shots at Target and you will earn a $5 gift card to spend on whatever you want! In fact, you also will get another $5 gift card from Grammy’s flu shot and I will contribute my $5 gift card to you each will have $10 each to spend at Target!”
Ali was sold the first time she heard this. And then she began asking every four days or so when we were going to get our flu shots.
Jake muted me every time I brought it up.
Meanwhile I communicated my campaign efforts to their dad because when Jake’s adrenaline is pumping I would not be able to contain him. I will be honest here and say that even their dad may not be able to stop him. Their step-dad, yes but I am not sure his dad would so I cannot say that I was bring the big guns. Bringing big guns would have been a different strategy, a back- up plan if you will.
After a mixture of emails, texts and in-person communications Pat finally set a date and time to meet at Target for the collective flu shot: October 1st at 4:00 pm.
My campaign efforts continue by explaining how the pharmacist who would be doing the flu shots has done mine for the past few years and she is super gentle as well as the immediate gratification of shopping right afterward. To help move this along I had all of us, their dad included, scheduled for our flu shots. A little tip, you can schedule your flu shot by texting Flu to 287-898 (yes that is correct) so you do not have to wait too long. Target wills text back and you can click on the link and fill out the paper work as well as schedule in advance.
Flu shot day finally arrived.
I met them at Target and I will be the first to admit, I am shocked Jake even got out of the care let alone walked into the store. We were off to a great start!
Ali asked to go first. She did not even a flinch and we even brought Disney Princess Band-Aid from home to show proof of shot. Jake was next and by then his neurological system was heightened.
While he was okay with taking his jacket off and sitting down he was asking a million questions. He was starting to look like a caged cat all darty like, if that is even a word. You could tell he was assessing everything but he was somewhat cornered in a chair with a faux privacy wall, his dad in front of him, the pharmacist and I to his side.
He started to back away from the pharmacist and I. The questions continued. I dangled a larger carrot by adding in their dad’s flu shot gift card to increase their spending ability.
The pharmacist explained how she had to sterilize his arm with a cold wipe which she did but that cold sensation did not help things. He pulled even further, even moved his chair away. We tried to have him keep his head facing their dad but he kept looking at the needle.
For a brief moment I thought Jake might push the pharmacist down as she was squatting by his side and run.
I’m guessing she sensed it too because she stood up and said “I’ll give you moment”. Catastrophe avoided.
We coached him through it again which was not helping. Then I asked Ali to come over and say exactly what it felt like. It went something like this:
“It was like this.” She poked his arm. “It seriously didn’t hurt that much. You can do this Jake.”
And just like that then he was ready.
The pharmacist came back over, explained that she needed to do a cleaning of his arm again because a minute had gone by and shazam in went the needle.
Jake didn’t even flinch and I did the “touchdown” motion with my arms.
I am not 100% sure how Jake was able to override his system but his sister being honest with him seemed to do the trick enough. Plus a little competition between siblings may have been a little nudge in the direction of “get ‘er done”. Either way, I will take it.
Jake seemed to be in a state of shock there for a while, perhaps because he was able to pull it off. Ali, on the other hand, was a girl ready to shop.
Ali picked out a bike seat for her dolls so she can take them on a bike ride.
After looking at how much new video games cost, Jake gave back his earned Target gift card and went to Game Stop to buy a used Jurassic Park video game.
And I am one proud mama of both of my kids, especially Jake.
Next year, I imagine I will not have to campaign as long or as hard, but the Flu Shot Campaign 2021 will include the well marketed but also well-earned $5 gift cards.
Andrea says
Jake’s girls to the rescue!! Most of all, Jake, you rocked it. You have said to me, “You can do this, Grammy. I believe in you.”
Well, Jake, I believe in you. There is nothing you can’t do. And I think after a shot in the arm, you can believe in yourself. Well done.
Ashley says
That’s right!!! He did say that!!! Grammy/Mom, you are the keeper of the kids’ memories and I thank you for that.