6 replies to this topic

[Krazey]

Since Christmas is almost here....
What do you all think would be a good gift to give my C5/C6 injured ex? He is still in ICU on the ventilator. He still wears hospital gowns and can't use his hands. I don't have any idea what to get him for Christmas (first time in 31 years he's stumped me). Can you give me ideas what would be helpful or useful to him...or would just plain make him a little happier? I was thinking some loose, comfortable underarmour clothing since they are lightweight and airy. But are there things out there that can make his life a little easier?

[Soryfam]

Krazey, on 17 December 2010 - 08:57 PM, said:

Since Christmas is almost here....
What do you all think would be a good gift to give my C5/C6 injured ex? He is still in ICU on the ventilator. He still wears hospital gowns and can't use his hands. I don't have any idea what to get him for Christmas (first time in 31 years he's stumped me). Can you give me ideas what would be helpful or useful to him...or would just plain make him a little happier? I was thinking some loose, comfortable underarmour clothing since they are lightweight and airy. But are there things out there that can make his life a little easier?

What would you get him if he wasn't injured? He's going to need all those helpful things anyway--I think a Christmas gift that has nothing to do with his condition would be best. Does hes enjoys movies or music. Some CDs would be nice. Our hospital has dvd players in the rooms, so he could use it while still there. Or how about clothes, the type he usually wears? I know that the brace I had to wear for six months was really rough on my clothes and I had to put some of my favorites into the junk pile. Books on tape would be good also if he is the sort that likes that kind of thing. Just some ideas....

Sandy

[kjm465]

I agree that CDs and DVDs would be helpful. Perhaps a voice-activated laptop, if you can afford it. My husband loves hand creams, colognes, and things like that now as they help him to feel attractive.

[Krazey]

Ooops!! I've ripped our whole CD collection onto a portable hard drive and put our whole music collection onto an ipod so I've already ruined that idea for a present I was thinking of how he can't play them himself when I'm not there...I thought maybe there is some sort of device that I don't know of that is made for use by people with SCI. I do like the idea of things that make him feel attractive. He's an outdoorsy guy so we usually get him fishing gear, winter clothes, things for his car, etc. This year is going to be very different. What would be soooooo great is if he can start eating real food by Christmas. He is dying to eat and is always talking about dying to have some delicious fruit. He would love one of those edible fruit bouquets. Of course, that won't happen by next week...but it would be nice. Well, I'll keep racking my brain and try to be more creative....thanks for the input.

Edited by Krazey, 18 December 2010 - 01:07 AM.

[Dana2010]

A couple months ago our daughter got Dylan a ipad, it was a lot of help. They have a program on it that helps him voice his needs, but he enjoys a lot of the apps. For Christmas we got him Cd's, DVDs, clothes, cologne..we're also getting him a little golden retriever puppy. It has been harder this year finding ideas, Dylan was a Chef usually we'd get him cooking stuff, he lived to cook

[mcwriter]

Dana2010, on 18 December 2010 - 05:36 AM, said:

A couple months ago our daughter got Dylan a ipad, it was a lot of help. They have a program on it that helps him voice his needs, but he enjoys a lot of the apps. For Christmas we got him Cd's, DVDs, clothes, cologne..we're also getting him a little golden retriever puppy. It has been harder this year finding ideas, Dylan was a Chef usually we'd get him cooking stuff, he lived to cook

How about Service Dog training for the puppy? Something really for down the road a bit, but the dog can be trained to retrieve things for Dylan and do so many other things that will give him some independence and help the family as well.

[Krazey]

Dana2010, on 18 December 2010 - 05:36 AM, said:

A couple months ago our daughter got Dylan a ipad, it was a lot of help. They have a program on it that helps him voice his needs, but he enjoys a lot of the apps. For Christmas we got him Cd's, DVDs, clothes, cologne..we're also getting him a little golden retriever puppy. It has been harder this year finding ideas, Dylan was a Chef usually we'd get him cooking stuff, he lived to cook

Oooh, I would love to get him an ipad (and me too). I will have to wait on that one though, he is one of those old-fashioned, don't-need-to-know-how-to-use-those-hitech-thingamajiggers type of guy. I always tried to get him to try email and he refused. Maybe he'll be more open to it now. I am planning to get one for my son for xmas so maybe we'll show it to him and see if he shows any interest. Thanks for the reply.