This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Hello,

My mother has MS and I wanted to get her a helpful - useful item designed for people with handicaps or other issues. I know we get a catalog in the mail once in awhile with items intended to make elderly and handicap living a little easier, things like scooters, ramps, items for the bathroom, utensils, phones with large buttons, etc. Items to help ease ordinary things.

It's for Christmas so I don't really want to ask her questions about the catalog, can't remember the name and having a hard time finding a website with such stuff. I know they exist but I'm having trouble wording my search in the internet search box. Any site suggestions or recommendations? Not looking for anything in particular, just wanted to browse for ideas.

She has drop foot, and very limited use of her right hand (she is right handed). Is able to walk but drags a leg.


Thanks for any tips or suggestions!

There's a site called activeforever.com
Not sure exactly what you're looking for but they have some neat stuff that might work.

Hi gemini,

Sorry I don't have catalog sites for you, although I'm looking forward to checking out what the others list. But I was thinking in general...why don't you choose a Christmas gift(s) for your mother that has absolutely nothing to do with her disability whatsoever. You know, something special, pretty, frilly, feminine...even a silky, colorful scarf - nothing sturdy and practical. You know what she likes, her favorite colors, her favorite music, her favorite scents...

I love the fact that you'd like her to have an item that would make her life easier, but why don't you use the catalog suggestions to surprise her with those sometime that's completely separate from the gift holidays? Even if you buy something from it now, save it for another day - just to show her you're thinking of her then, too.

I'm not much of a holiday person, so I may be completely wrong and others will tell me so, but...I had just been thinking about how often I mention to my family that I wish I could afford another cane like the one I've got (expensive one!) in a different color/style. And then I realized that if that's what I got for Christmas I'd burst into tears and it would ruin my day. Of course, I'm a confirmed Holiday Hater anyway (maybe a minority of one).

Best to you gemini, and give your mom a kiss from all of us.

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Dx'd with MS & HNPP (hereditary peripheral neuropathy) 7/03 but must have had MS for 30 yrs before that. I've never taken meds for MS or MS symptoms except 1 yr experiment on LDN. (I found diet, exercise, sleep, humor, music help me the most.)

Hi Gemini
I agree with Euphonia. My hubby was delighted with himself when he found an easy-open box for my supplements, he thought I'd love it. He gave it to me as a present and I cried my heart out . I just didn't want him focusing on my disability....now you know you Mum the bes,t and maybe she would be thrilled with a present like that, but I was so sad when I got a present to do with my disability!

You mention foot-drop - I saw a product that looked good - http://www.musmate.co.uk/eshop.htm Perhaps this would help her. But I'm definitely in agreement with Euphonia on buying a gift for her that is just nice and nothing to do with disability.

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Concussus Resurgo
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RR-MS dx 1998 and Coeliac dx 2003
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Copaxone, Cymbalta. EPO, Fish Oils, Vitamin D3 2000 IU daily, Cal/Mag/Zinc, Multivitamin/mineral, Co-Enzyme Q10, Probiotics, Milk Thistle.

Well, as the person who does most of the cleaning, what gets done of it anyhow, I was thrilled to get a vacuum cleaner for Christmas. And I got it for myself. So, in that vein, if I had MS (my husband has it), I would want a bioness or walkaid for Christmas...so if you had 4-6K, I think that would be a hit.