A good pair of noise cancelling headphones are a life saver!

Whether we are taking advantage of their noise cancelling for a migraine, we are using them as a way to avoid small talk with strangers because we don't have the spoons, or we're rocking out to our favorite music as a distraction from pain, an excellent set of headphones is a helpful tool and one that many of us will not splurge on for ourselves.

Our top 3:

Splurge: Studio Beats Pro X Kim in Moon

We don't want to love them, but we do. Bose headphones are not included because the noise cancelling can exacerbate migraines in some people.

Midrange: Edifier Plus Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones in Green

Budget:  BERIBES Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones in Black

Taking a shower takes so much energy!  Upgrading the fixtures and adding a bench can completely change that experience.

Our top choice is upgrading to this handheld showerhead. The next level up would be this one with both a handheld unit with massaging features and a rainfall unit.  Or this one that massages shoulders and has a removable handheld. Or, if they already have their perfect showerhead, they may need a multi-stage filter that removes impurities that so many of us are sensitive to and conditions the water so our skin doesn't dry out as much. Seriously, this filter makes a HUGE difference!

Adding a beautiful wooden shower bench can turn a difficult task into restorative self care.

So many of us are fighting a constant battle with dehydration.

Whether it's from a form of dysautonomia that improves if we are well hydrated or we just have a hard time remembering or having the time to drink enough, we are always needing more water and electrolytes.

Because of this, we fortify our liquids with Electrolyte drinks.  Some of which are good and some of which are... not so good.  So we are always looking for new powders/tabs - and they are expensive. Giving the gift of a new powder - or even a sampler, if you are feeling extra - is a welcomed treat!

Click here for our favorite electrolyte powders and water bottles.

We have a lot of stuff.

It takes a ridiculous amount of just... stuff to care for ourselves.  Storage is essential.  Most storage options are very utilitarian and they don't have to be.  It just takes creativity and repurposing storage solutions into our medical needs.

Here's a link for our favorite repurposed, uber functional, and cute as hell storage solution.

Or an upgraded gold cart

Many of us spend a great deal of time in rest or recovery mode.  This frequently involves being alone and not being active.  Honestly, this is incredibly boring.  Having something to occupy our brains while we physically or mentally recuperate is vital.

You need to know your person to find the perfect entertainment gift for them. So, slide into their DMs or get some face time to answer the following questions:

Do they enjoy audiobooks? Audible has gifts of 1, 3, 6, & 12 months 

Do they love to read and have a Kindle?

Kindle Unlimited has membership gifts for 6, 12, & 24 months

More entertainment ideas & links...

Official diagnosis is a privilege with a lot of rare diseases. Quality of care varies greatly, not only based on one's income bracket, but also upon where one lives.  There are many areas that are medical deserts when it comes to certain specialties.  We know this from Quirk's move across the country to receive medical care.  Most people are not that lucky.

Gifting someone genetic testing that covers many of the rare diseases can truly change someone's life for the better. But only purchase this for someone if you know they want it, as it is expensive and even whole genome sequencing does need to be interpreted by a professional or fed into another report generator that costs more money.

Sequencing . com

Whole Genome Sequencing

Everyone loves pillows!

Seriously.  We ache.  A lot.  Pillows help.

Here are our top 3:

Best basic bed pillow:  It's hard to call this pillow basic.  We're embarrassed to admit to how many of these pillows we own.  There are these pillows and all others.  None compare to this.

Most Stylish, yet Functional Wedge: QN - This is my favorite thing on my bed.  I love the way it looks and it turns a bed into a multi-function space.

Cute Pillows:  It's a pillow!  It's a stuffy!  It's adorable.  This weighted and firm sloth or this weighted and heat-able dinosaur are both supportive and comfortable.

The perfect gift doesn't always have to be bought.  Your time might be the most valuable gift you can give.

Most of us have a running list of errands that need to be run or chores that have been shelfed because we don't have the energy or even capability to do them. We tend to not even ask for help with them because we already feel like a burden. But, if you were to gift us "certificates", it would start the conversation and help us open up about what assistance we need.

We do recommend that you make something physical to give them and be specific.  Some examples would be:

• 2 hours of cleaning a week 
• 2 hours of running errands on Saturdays
• 1 dinner dropoff a week
• 1 full day of whatever they need

We also highly recommend that you schedule the help and briefly discuss what you are comfortable doing as soon after you give the gift as possible, if not immediately when you give the gift.  Even with the certificate, we are likely to be hesitant to initiate the conversation.  Having the broader details in place allows both of you to plan accordingly and gives your person the ability to plan around it.

However, what some may find as an empowering gifts, others may find embarrassing. Please find a way to broach the topic before deciding on this gift so that everyone is on the same page.

This is not the type of gift to give if you need praise for your contribution or feel that you would be owed gratitude.  So many of the experiences that disabled people have strips us of a degree of our dignity.  Don’t make this gift be another of them. It should be empowering. Ya see what I’m saying?