THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 26, 1995 TAG: 9511220079
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ALEXANDRIA BERGER
LENGTH: Medium: 78 lines
HERE ARE some super gift ideas for the disabled. They'll love you for thinking right this holiday season.
Gifts from the heart:
IOUs for any of the following: Six chauffeured and accompanied trips to shopping centers, movies, museums, beauty shop, supermarket, doctors or personal choice.
Paint adaptive equipment (canes, walkers, crutches) a disabled person's favorite color by using enamel paint for metal. For teen-agers, paint stripes or designs using masking tape. Write the person's name or favorite saying. Stick an angel on the front.
Build a ramp for a family member or friend. Cover it with indoor/outdoor carpet. Write your gift on a small sheet of plywood, and wrap for Christmas morning.
Make the ultimate pill box. At a hardware store buy plastic boxes for nails. On inside lid, list medications for each slot.
Make a zippered pocket bag with Velcro straps to attach to any wheelchair or walker.
Inexpensive and meaningful lifesavers:
A copy of Shel Silverstein's ``The Missing Piece.'' Read it first. You'll understand.
Wheelchair or scooter cup holders, attachable baskets. Available from Rehab Healthcare, Norfolk.
A handsome hardwood cane featuring brass head that unscrews for cash, valuables, medications. Comes in Duck, Eagle, or Victorian. $9.99 from AdaptAbility. Call 1-800-288-9941 toll-free 24 hours a day for catalog or to order, or fax 1-800-566-6678.
Swivel car seat. $19.99 from AdaptAbility. Exit from any awkward space with ease. Turns 360 degrees for maximum mobility. Foam padded.
Pick-up tongs and grippers. Prices start at $7.99, from AdaptAbility.
Touch light control. Control any lamp by touching metal base or using small pad. Prices start at $12.99 at AdaptAbility, or locally at Burnett's or Wythe Lamp Shop.
Complete grooming three-way shower combo, features adjustable hand-held shower spray, water-jet tooth and gum care instruments, and hydro razor. Attaches to regular shower head. About $30 from AdaptAbility.
Great surprise gifts:
Six months to one year of weekly in-home massages. About $40 per visit. Check listings in Yellow Pages. Call the Heritage Store, 428-0500, or the Association for Research and Enlightenment, 428-3588.
Yoga instruction. Great stress reliever. Lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and it's non-invasive exercise for anyone. For in-home instruction, call Sharon Norton, yoga therapist, certified through the Integral Yoga System. A series of eight in-home lessons costs $350. One introductory lesson, $50.
Computer gifts:
Suggestions from Chris Ellington, general manager of Comp USA:
Windows '95. Of course. This program makes computers easy. Minimum advertised price: $89.97. You may be able to find it for less.
Laptop computer. Make sure you can upgrade.
Hewlett Packard DeskJet 600C Color Printer for PCs: About $299. For Macintosh users it's called the DeskWriter, same price.
Computer in-home instruction. Check listing for Computer Services in Yellow Pages.
Voice-activated commands in computers by IBM and NEC. Also can act as speaker phone. Prices begin at $2,000.
An ergonomically designed keyboard. Better for wrists and muscles. Try Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard at $100, or the three-piece Apple Adjustable Keyboard, about $150.
Six months of an on-line service. (For information on InfiNet, see ``News by Computer'' on Page A2.) Requires a modem, another great gift.
Hewlett Packard Plain Paper Fax/Copier Machines. Prices begin at $550.
Prices and availability may vary.
Enchant. Embrace. Support. Delight. Celebrate. Believe. Happy holidays. MEMO: Write Alexandria Berger, Real Life, The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W.
Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510. by CNB