Smiling woman in a wheelchair enjoying the view of a shop window while holding several colorful shopping bags in her hands

MDA Quest Media Product Guide

Welcome to the MDA Quest Media Product Guide! This guide is designed to help you find tried-and-true products that make life more independent, stylish, and fun. All of the products that you see here were chosen by MDA Ambassadors, who shared exactly how each product helps them in their daily lives.

This is a resource we have curated because we LOVE you and because we LOVE things that make your life just a little easier.

As an additional treat for you, our friends at Silverts and IZ Adaptive are offering a limited-time 15% discount on purchases over $50 for the MDA community! For Silverts, shop here, and for IZ Adaptive, shop here for your discounts.

Thank you, Silverts and IZ Adaptive!

 

Shop 'Til you Drop!

These thoughtfully curated products are used and recommended by MDA Ambassadors. Each item you see here has enhanced the independence of one of our ambassadors and can do the same for other individuals living with a disability. 

Meet Our Ambassadors

Click on the buttons to read all about them and their favorite life hacks.

Andy A

Andy A.

Ambassador Bio:

Andy enjoys playing video games and writing in his free time. As a child, he attended MDA Summer Camp where he was able to connect with other kids living with a neuromuscular disease. He is passionate about sharing the positive impact MDA has on those living with a diagnosis and how funding research helps the neuromuscular disease community find new cures and treatments.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My life hack is the using dryer to warm up blankets during the wintertime. When I’m getting ready for bed I just get tucked in the heated blankets and it keeps me warm during cold nights.

Andy A.
Elizabeth M

Elizabeth M.

Ambassador Bio:

Elizabeth loves hanging out with friends, going on family trips, and just being herself. She enjoys attending MDA Summer Camp; it is one of her favorite weeks of the year. She has learned how to adjust and make life accommodate her instead of the other way around. She found her voice and started speaking not just for herself, but also by talking to medical students and doctors about what it is like to live with a rare disease and how much they can learn from their patients. Someday, she wants to be a neuromuscular doctor so kids like her can get the right answers sooner.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

Having fluctuating, sometimes severe, weakness has taught me how to be creative and find new ways to do things. When others see limitations, I see possibilities and the right tools help make that possible.

Elizabeth M.
Jeff T

Jeff T.

Ambassador Bio:

Jeff lives with Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD), a rare, adult-onset neuromuscular disease. He enjoyed spending much of his life active and outdoors, with a fondness for competitive mountain biking, before beginning to experience progressive muscle weakness. While OPMD is progressive, Jeff is comitted to adapting, advocating, and moving forward with resilience. Throughout his journey he has been empowered by the unwavering love and support of his wife, his family and friends, and the life they continue to cherish together.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

Traveling these days, even without an NMD, can be taxing. Take advantage of all resources available to you. Use the wheelchair service to get you to your gate. Ask for early boarding. Whenever possible, check your bags and lessen your load. Most importantly, try to be patient with the process. Stress and anxiety zap energy - and energy for us is precious.

Jeff T.
Jessery P

Jessery P.

Ambassador Bio:

Jessery is a strong advocate for accessibility, pushing for more research and sharing her story so others feel seen and supported. She graduated with a degree in psychology and is working towards her master’s in elementary education. Teaching and advocating for students has become a big part of who she is. Jessery recently became a parent for the first time. She hopes to share her experience so that more people understand what pregnancy with a neuromuscular disease can look like.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

My favorite life hack is using a shower stool during baby floor time. Sitting on the stool allows me to get as close to the ground as possible to play with the baby without actually being on the floor. This creative use of the stool makes it much easier to stand back up and maintain balance with less strain on my legs.

Jessery P.
Micah-T-scaled-e1769719684584

Micah T.

Ambassador Bio:

Micah is a bright, spirited 5-year-old who lives with LAMA2 muscular dystrophy. From the moment he wakes up in the morning, his curiosity and cheerful spirit light up every room. His heart is full of bravery, joy, and an unshakable love for life. Micah and his family believe in making the most of every day. With a gentle smile and a determined soul, he shows others that life with a neuromuscular disease is not defined by limitations, but by the love, hope, and resilience you carry in your heart. Through his journey with MDA, Micah wants to be a voice for kids who face similar challenges. He hopes his story can offer courage to other families - a reminder that even when the road is tough, you are never alone.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

We use an adjustable laptop desk whenever he is sitting on the floor and playing with toys. This way, he can play with many toys, but doesn't have to reach and risk falling over from a sitting position. The laptop desk allows us to put toys on the ground, raise the desk to the highest level, and put toys on top as well. Any laptop desk would work.

Micah T.
Mike H

Mike H.

Ambassador Bio:

Mike has many hobbies, including reading, watching movies and documentaries, music, astronomy, and collecting vintage skateboards. He is also a lifelong LA Dodgers fan. Mike volunteers with several organizations within the disability community, including MDA. He shares that it is truly rewarding to be able to give back and hopefully serve as an example of “the possible” to others within our community.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My favorite life hack, and this will vary based on your condition and tolerance levels, but to maintain as much strength, range of motion, and flexibility that may help you today as well as provide the most advantage of any new treatments that may come along. Ask your doctor what level is right for you. 

Mike H.
Rebecca-G-e1769719443931

Rebecca G.

Ambassador Bio:

 For Rebecca, being diagnosed with LGMD clarified years of uncertainty and fueled her passion for patient advocacy. She joined the Board of Directors for the LGMD Awareness Foundation
in 2021. Rebecca is also a contributing writer and volunteer for other neuromuscular disease focused non-profits, including MDA. Inspired by her husband and two daughters she models resilience and persistence, ensuring that challenging times do not define her journey.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My favorite life hack is to always cut open my skincare and/or makeup tubes and scoop the contents into plastic pots before throwing them out. There is always more product inside and this helps you get your money’s worth.

Rebecca G.
Sara Z

Sara Z.

Bio:

Sara is a wife and mother living with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. Although having a disability presents its challenges, it didn't stop her from going to college, having a successful career in social services, and raising her family. When she's not advocating or spreading positivity, she enjoys cooking, gardening and adaptive yoga. As an MDA Ambassador, she hopes to bring awareness to the programs and services that MDA provides to the neuromuscular disease community.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

Life hack tip: Don’t throw out those last spoonfuls of broth or tomato sauce. Instead freeze them in an ice cube tray and you’ll have perfect seasoning cubes for future cooking. Less waste and more taste for recipes to come.

Sara Z.
Skye-A-e1769719489924

Skye A.

Bio:

Skye is passionate about raising awareness and advocating for accessibility. She loves cheering on the Carolina Hurricanes, creating art, partaking in new experiences, and spending time with her friends and family. Through sharing her experiences living with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), she aims to empower others living with a neuromuscular disease and drive positive change in society.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

One of my favorite life hacks is using Walmart+ for grocery delivery. It gives me the freedom to pick out exactly what I want while saving me the trip and maintaining independence. 

Skye A.
Mindy-Henderson-scaled-e1688590261177

Mindy H.

Bio:

Mindy Henderson is MDA’s Vice President of Disability Outreach & Empowerment and Editor-in-Chief of Quest Media.  She was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 2 when she was 15 months old and has been a life-long partner to MDA.  Mindy is also a disability advocate, motivational speaker and a writer, and author of the book, The Truth About Things That Suck.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

I have dipped my toe in the "smart homing" world over the past two years. I am a dog mom and having electric doors that I can control with my Amazon Echo are a lifesaver in letting the dogs in and out of the house, even from my bed! It gives me a ton of independence to come and go much easier. I have various lights I can turn on and off with my voice, I have even found smart ceiling fans, smart deadbolts, and a smart thermostat. I worked with a great company that set it all up for me and built in a lot of redundancy so I have remotes I can use for various things, but can also control it from my phone and can control it all with my voice as well. It shouldn't be such a luxury, but it feels wonderful to be able to do all of those things without having to ask for help!

Mindy H.

Our Favorites

Our MDA Ambassadors have curated a brand-new set of products for you to check out. Consider them your personal shoppers and check out their recommendations below.

The perfect gift to enhance the independence of someone you love or that special something to put at the top of your own wish list is just a click away!

Open Back Soft Ribbed Pants

Recommended by: Mindy H.

These pants look great and are so easy to get on for a seated shopper.

Women’s Open Back T-Shirt Dress

Recommended by: Mindy H.

Dressing is easy with an open back and snap closure that is BOTH functional and adorable.

Cowl Neck Boucle Cape

Recommended by: Mindy H.

Soft, easy and classy. Cape-style sweater makes dressing breeze, and looks beautiful.

ROHO Inflatable Wheelchair Air Cushion OR ETAC StabilAir

Recommended by: Mike H.

These provide better pressure relief and comfort than standard cushions. With a variety of sizes, consult with your wheelchair provider for appropriate size.

Leg Strap for Wheelchair

Recommended by: Rebecca G.

An adjustable wheelchair leg strap is a vital accessory for dignity and comfort. The Velcro strap keeps my legs together while providing stable, secure support.

Ninja Air Fryer

Recommended by: Skye A.

I keep this at an accessible height. I don’t need to bend or balance like at a traditional oven. It makes meal preparation safer, easier, and more efficient.

Inflatable Exercise Balls

Recommended by: Mike H.

To maintain flexibility or increase range of motion with low impact, these exercise balls come in a variety of sizes and both peanut and round shape.

Extra-Long Straws

Recommended by: Andy A.

I am unable to lift cups; extra-long straws are essential so that I can drink independently.

Westinghouse Electric Blanket

Recommended by: Sara Z.

This is my favorite possession. Its large button controller makes it easy to turn on/off and adjust settings. It’s soft, cozy, and warm.

REI Co-op Swiftland Insulated Running Vest

Recommended by: Jeff T.

Not just for running, this sleek, insulated vest boasts 5 spacious pockets, is easily packable, and fits comfortably over a hoody or fleece jacket.

Audiobooks (Audible / Libby / Kindle)

Recommended by: Elizabeth M.

Audiobooks allow me to keep learning and enjoying books when I develop double vision and eye fatigue or muscle weakness. I never have to stop reading!

Bathtub Stand

Recommended by: Jessery P.

It’s hard for me to sit on the floor next to the bath. This stand brings the tub to waist height, making baby bath time painless and possible to do alone.

Touch Control Table Lamp

Recommended by: Sara Z.

My hands have trouble with switches; this is a great alternative to a standard lamp. This model also has an AC adapter outlet and phone charging outlets.

Billy Shoes

Recommended by: Micah T.

These shoes look good and are easy to put on and take off, especially with AFO and SMO type braces. We have multiple pairs!

Bracelet Making Bead Kits

Recommended by: Rebecca G.

Bracelet making has become my go-to hobby. It keeps my hands active, especially with the small beads, and I feel like my dexterity has improved because of it.

MDA CORNER

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