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Holiday Gift Guide 2007

We’ve put together a list of ideas for anyone that’s part of the paralysis community. Some of the suggestions come from the people here in the home office, who have tried them out, and some just seemed like neat ideas to us. So, buyers beware.

NOTE: We do not endorse the products listed in the Holiday Guide. The photographs and links presented here are to be used as samples only.

Just for Fun

	LED Lights – For special occasions or year-round, these strips can dress up a ride. The motorcycle folks are ahead of the curve on this, but the LEDs are adaptable to any mode of transport. (prices vary)
	T-Shirts, Hats, Magnets and Bumper Stickers – The sayings run from the cute to the crude, and they get very condition specific. There’s a good 30 minutes of fun here just reading them. (prices vary)
	Pinball Machine – An arcade machine that is wheelchair height with adaptive paddles. You’ll find it’s mainly used for therapy in institutional environments, but you can have one for $6,450.00, plus shipping.
	Radio Controlled Toys – There are thousands of cars, planes, helicopters, and blimps in all price ranges. Or consider one of many voice-activated robots. R2-D2 will run you about $120.00.
	Ice Cream Maker – None of us have tried this, but we all want to. Makes one and a half quarts of frozen dessert in 20 minutes. Then, just pull the handle. ($99.95)

Making Life Easier

	VoiceIR Infrared Environmental Control System by GimpGear – Any device you have, such as TV, DVD, or stereo, that uses an infrared remote can be controlled with voice commands. You can expand your control to include: telephone, lights and appliances, even your bed. ($329.95 after rebate)
	VoiceBT Switch Adapted Cell Phone Bluetooth Speakerphone with Voice Control – Also by GimpGear. Call, answer, and hang up with adaptive switches. Push any button or Sip & Puff…then say name of person you want to call! ($399.95)
	Etac Aktiv Reacher – It’s 27.5 inches long, and the claw can be rotated 360 degrees so you never have to twist your arm. ($18.99)
	Pants for Sitting – USA Wheelchair Jeans has pants and shorts designed just for sitting with consideration for where the rivets and seams are. ($59.95)
	The LifeBowl - Allows dog and cat owners to easily assist in caring for their pets. The bowl is easier to reach and self-balances, thanks to the elevated upright. ($14.95)
	Bike Gloves – One of our folks loves these Airius Gel Pros because of the sweatband in the thumb area, and the two loops – making it easier to pull them on and off with her teeth. ($9.99)
	Electric Razor – The ultimate dad gift. It's light-weight, and not too bulky. ($35.00-89.99)
	Electric Nail Filer – One of our guys picked this up because he hates having someone else trim his nails. It files, shapes, cleans, and buffs. It also dries both natural and acrylic nails. ($32.99)

Travel

	Jazz Backpack - Fits most scooters, power chairs, and manual wheelchairs (with and without push handles). Room for bulky jackets and notebooks, plus two interior slash pockets for tucking away smaller items. ($49.95)
	Travel Medicine Case – Packing all your medicines and vitamins in one case in their original bottles makes for easier security checks. ($29.85)
	Superior Comfort Bed Lounger – For overnight visits or just around the house. The pillow adjusts to cradle the upper body. We haven’t tested this one. ($139.00)
	ID/Passport Holder – From a pouch that simply holds your ID around your neck to something anti-theft with cell phone slots and hidden security areas. ($10.00 to $30.00)
	Remote Car Starter – “Precondition” the vehicle before you hit the road, while keeping warm/cool in the house. ($55.99)

Give an Adventure

Get someone started in a new hobby. From power soccer to water skiing, you can search for local resources online at the Paralysis Resource Center, or just call us at 800-539-7309.

Here’s a list of some activities we can help you with: archery, basketball, billiards, bowling, canoeing, fencing, fishing, flying, football, golf, handcycling, hockey, horseback riding, hunting, soccer, rowing, rugby, scuba diving, shooting, skiing, softball, surfing, swimming, ping pong, tennis, track & field, volleyball, water skiing, weightlifting.

Let Services Be Your Guide

Give someone a break for the holidays. Look into: housekeeping or organization services, membership to an accessible gym, and/or a trip to a spa. Check with your local department stores and see if they have personal shoppers available.

FuschiaFan, from our Paralysis Community, suggests making a donation in someone’s name. She likes the Free Wheelchair Mission. They provide inexpensive wheelchairs to people in third-world countries for less than $50.00. (And then there’s always the CDRF, of course.)

Visit website

Keeping Warm

Warmth is an issue for all of us, especially if you live with paralysis.

Think fleece shirts (around $40.00), hoodies ($49.99), and socks ($15.00).

It’s silk, when it comes to long underwear, ($32.00). Throw in a pair of glove liners, ($10.00), and an NFL Helmet Head Cap, ($34.99) and you’re literally covered head-to-toe.

For Kids

The National Lekotek Center, a non-profit focused on toys and play for kids with special needs, has teamed with Toys “R” Us to create this Toy Guide. You can buy the toys at AblePlay.org.

And this invaluable service launched just last year. Read more about it.

Two More Gift Ideas

Check out the new book The True Cost of Happiness. Co-authored by Stacey Tisdale, this book will help you make more sensible personal money management decisions. Tisdale is a supporter of the Foundation and was a friend of Christopher’s.

Visit the website

Consider Giftback.com. If you, or your company, are sending presents this holiday season, why not use Giftback.com? They’ll make a 10% donation to the charity of your choice (and we’re hoping that’s CDRF) for every gift you purchase.