NMD United's Holiday Gift Guide for Adults Living with NMD
Below are a bunch of amazing gifts selected by adults living with NMD for adults living with NMD. We guarantee you won't go wrong!
Before you start shopping, please go to www.smile.amazon.com and select NMD United as your charity of choice. A small portion of your purchase will be donated to NMD United, and that would be the best gift we could ever receive.
for people who love heat:
Ask any adult with a neuromuscular disability (NMD) if he/she loves the heat and you’ll probably get an emphatic “HECK YEAH!” Our universal love for warmth may be because we lack the muscles to insulate our bones, so here are ten awesome gifts that will keep you or someone you love with NMD warm and toasty!
ORORO Light Insulated Heated Down Vest Add this insulated vest to your list! Not only does it come in all sizes, but it’s also easy to get on and off, allows your arms to feel free, and warms your torso with a battery operated heating pad inside of it.
Brookstone Towel Warmer Although a towel warmer may seem a little too luxurious, it totally isn’t! On a cold winter morning or evening, there’s nothing better than getting out of a steamy shower and wrapping a warm towel around you.
USB Heated Shawl and Lap Blanket After getting dressed and out of the shower, you head to your office to get some work done... Don't worry! You can easily plug in this USB Heated Shawl and Lap Blanket to keep your legs and shoulders warm.
Hot water bottle Another simple, but effective way to keep warm is with a hot water bottle, especially after a long day at work! It will stay warm for hours and can also help relax your achy back muscles. Place this on your lower back and you'll feel better in no time!
MyHeat Personal Ceramic Heater If you want to keep your space warm and toasty, this compact heater is a great choice! It can sit on your desk and keep the cold away. It’s very easy to turn on and off, and comes in a variety of colors!
Heated mouse Do your fingers freeze up when you’re working on the computer? This heated mouse may be just the thing you need for those long hours in front of the computer, especially when you pair it with:
Heated keyboard wrist pad Position this keyboard pad underneath your wrists to keep your hands toasty warm while you are typing on your computer!
Secura Electric Water Boiler and Warmer After you spend a few hours at your desk, feel free to make yourself a beverage using a this gadget! It's super easy to use independently and will allow you to make that hot beverage of your choice without risking burns.
Mug warmer And don’t forget to get one of this awesome mug warmers! It will keep your beverages from going cold, which will help you stay warm as well.
Nest Learning Thermostat This thermostat is a great way to stay warm on cold days/evenings! You can set the temperature to whatever you prefer, and change it with your voice or smart phone.
ThermaCell Rechargeable Heated Insoles Heated insoles are a great way to keep your feet toasty when travelling outside! These insoles can be cut to fit into your own shoes, and can be controlled via the remote control.
for people who love technology:
As technology advances, adults with NMD are given the opportunity to gain more independence! There are so many gadgets that can make our lives easier, such as the following five products.
Cripple Concepts Charger I’ve never met a person with NMD who didn’t want to be able to charge their phone or plug in a USB device into their chair. Never fear! The is a USB charger port that can be attached to any wheelchair to save the day.
SENSO Bluetooth, Wireless Headphones With noise cancellation and a long battery life, these headphones are perfect for having private conversations over the phone or for listening to whatever you want to listen to without disturbing your housemates!
Telescoping self back scratcher This lightweight tool allows easy scratching in harder to reach places. It’s also great for grabbing and pulling objects closer to you, turning on and off light switches, pointing out things, and combing your hair!
As Smart Home devices take over the world, people with NMD cheer. Below are two MUST have Smart Home devices that can be controlled with your voice and/or a smartphone.
Amazon Echo Dot This is a cost-effective and super device with a built-in speaker that is voice-activated. NMD United gave away 12 Amazon Echo Dots in 2017 and have funded many more through our ALEF independent living grant program.
Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance 2nd Generation Smart Bulb Starter Kit This is a fantastic gift to pair with the Amazon Echo Dot! You can set the color lights to create different types of groovy atmospheres with your voice or with your smart phone.
for people who love practicality:
Sometimes in independent living, function is most important. Certain things that seem ordinary to some are essential to our every day lives! Here are three practical gifts that are perfect for you or someone you know with NMD.
Bed Prism Spectacles Sometimes it’s hard for the typical NMDer to see the television or read in bed. These glasses allow you to lie flat and still be able to see what’s in front of you, even if you can’t lift your head. They may look silly, but they work like a charm!
Lightweight Drinking Glasses Finding quality, lightweight glassware can be a challenge. Look no further than these double walled, insulated glasses! They even come with handles for comfortable and easy lifting.
Liftware Level Starter Kit This spoon is a great way to prevent wearing lunch! Check out Carol Abraham's demonstration of using it by watching the video below:
Straws and may seem silly to the ordinary able-bodied individual, but to people with NMD they can make or break a meal. Below are three cool varieties of straws that would make great stocking stuffers!
for people who love to travel:
Traveling with a neuromuscular disability can be difficult at times, as we have to leave the environments we've built to support our everyday needs. The following five products will make experiencing the world so much easier!
Leather wheelchair side bag It can be difficult to find compact, durable bags that fit securely on a wheelchair. This side bag is great for storing smaller items for easy access on the go, like keys or your cell phone.
Travel John Disposable Resealable Urinals Bathrooms are not always accessible, especially when you are on the go. Disposable, resealable urinals like this one are small and easy to use. They’ll come in handy for a long road or plane trip!
Adjustable height bed riser This is fundamental for trips out-of-town! Many hotel room beds are not designed to fit hoyer lifts or other medical equipment, and this product will help make the space more accessible to you.
Prairie View Industries Threshold Ramps These ramps come in all different lengths! This particular one is for those small bumps that your chair would never get over. Throw this ramp in the back of your van and reduce the frustrations of inaccess wherever you go!
Foam bed wedge pillow Sometimes, pillows make the perfect travelling companion. This pillow serves as a decent replacement for an adjustable bed, if you are out of town and need some extra support. They are also great for back massages because they accommodate a person with leg contractions, which may prevent him/her from lying on their stomach!
for people who love art:
Art can be a powerful, meaningful gift that encourages connection and support! Consider purchasing the following books and designs that are written and created by adults living with NMD.
Miracle Boy Grows Up by Ben Mattlin
Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life by Harriet McBryde Johnson
Smart Ass Cripple’s Little Red Book by Mike Ervin
And finally, since hummus is the “official food of adults with NMD,” according to T.K. Small, no kitchen is complete without...
Thanks for following along with NMD United’s Holiday Gift Guide!
If you plan to purchase one or more of these items, please go to www.smile.amazon.com and select NMD United as your charity of choice. A small portion of your purchase will go to our organization if you select us and that would be the best gift NMD United could receive.
