4 replies to this topic

[Linzgbz]

A friend has recently had a spinal injury (in January) and has been transferred to the CRAIG hospital in Colorado...

...several of us would like to send her something and we are all at a loss on what to send to let her know we are thinking/praying for her...and everytime someone comes up with something to send (gift wise) we realize she can't read a book, she can't do so many things, and we don't want to send anything that would be unnknowingly insensitive...


....so would you please help us out, by giving serious suggestions to help...audio book titles that would be spirit uplifting...or supplies that would help with communications for her...(she's on a ventilator currently)

ANY ideas you have that we can send we would GREATLY appreciate ideas...thank you!!!

[Edinburgh Colin]

Linzgbz, on Apr 1 2010, 10:57 PM, said:

A friend has recently had a spinal injury (in January) and has been transferred to the CRAIG hospital in Colorado...

...several of us would like to send her something and we are all at a loss on what to send to let her know we are thinking/praying for her...and everytime someone comes up with something to send (gift wise) we realize she can't read a book, she can't do so many things, and we don't want to send anything that would be unnknowingly insensitive...


....so would you please help us out, by giving serious suggestions to help...audio book titles that would be spirit uplifting...or supplies that would help with communications for her...(she's on a ventilator currently)

ANY ideas you have that we can send we would GREATLY appreciate ideas...thank you!!!

Just a quickie, I found audio books very frustrating when I was in High Dependency (first 3 months flat on my back), because of the drugs they lull you to sleep and you never know where you lost it, no crushed pages like on a real book to give you a clue where you dropped off.

If she has any hand function a Nintendo DS with brain training loaded can be very usefull later on when she may be awake more, you do get very bored and stupid with the drugs.

Seeing you or a friendly face is really the best thing you can send or failing a personal visit, hello pictures, video clips ... something human.

best of luck and I hope she makes good progress.

[Linzgbz]

She has zero movement as of now...there is some receptive sensation in one arm...and she can mouth words, but that is all. No sound due to the ventilator...this happened in Jan, but she's had several infections along the way...so she's still in an intensive situation. I sure wish I could fly out and spend time in person with her, but I have small children of my own I need to care for.

What about a photo book of old times...would that be depressing?

I wonder what other brain activated things are out there she might enjoy...she couldn't use the DS just yet...unless she starts to get movement in that one arm...is there still hope for that? I'm not sure how long therapy goes before they 'give up'? The hospital said they expect she'll stay there for 2 years.

I wish I could get a collection of photos of her kids, I know that would mean a lot to her...but unfortunately they are out of state

Ugh...such a tough situation...prayers! Just want to help and have no clue how to...

[Edinburgh Colin]

Linzgbz, on Apr 2 2010, 04:50 AM, said:

She has zero movement as of now...there is some receptive sensation in one arm...and she can mouth words, but that is all. No sound due to the ventilator...this happened in Jan, but she's had several infections along the way...so she's still in an intensive situation. I sure wish I could fly out and spend time in person with her, but I have small children of my own I need to care for.

What about a photo book of old times...would that be depressing?

I wonder what other brain activated things are out there she might enjoy...she couldn't use the DS just yet...unless she starts to get movement in that one arm...is there still hope for that? I'm not sure how long therapy goes before they 'give up'? The hospital said they expect she'll stay there for 2 years.

I wish I could get a collection of photos of her kids, I know that would mean a lot to her...but unfortunately they are out of state

Ugh...such a tough situation...prayers! Just want to help and have no clue how to...

What about one of these digital photo frames that store loads of pictures and change from one to the other, could put lanscapes, kids, friends, favourite places, old holiday snaps etc in that and she can watch it. Don't see why old photos should necessarily be depressing. All of it is more cheerfull than what she is surrounded by now with the possible eception of the nurses if they are a good bunch. Mine were brilliant, good Glasgow lassies with a fair bit of humour.

good luck and post your progress and what you finally do as advice for others.

[Linzgbz]

LOVE the digital frame...brilliant...thank you!!!

So far I have made a photo book of her children and will send that out today...but I think I'll take some of the special pictures and made a frame for her...