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MDA Quest Media Product Guide

HAPPY HOLIDAYS, and welcome to the MDA Quest Media product guide! This guide is designed to help you find the products you need to live a more independent, stylish, fun, and all-around great life. All the products you see here were chosen by MDA Ambassadors, who shared exactly how each product helps them in their daily lives.

Find something for yourself, or find the perfect gift here for someone special this holiday season.

Shop 'Til you Drop!

Tis’ the season to shop and to GIVE!

These thoughtfully curated products are used and recommended by MDA Ambassadors and are perfect for your holiday shopping list. 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.

Audrey

Audrey

Ambassador Bio:

I am Miss Coppell Teen in the Miss America organization and am also a cheerleader.  I have Bethlem Myopathy and struggle with low muscle strength.  I advocate to share my story of disability and encourage others to share theirs to make the world a more inclusive place.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

I keep everything I need access to regularly up high so I do not need to bend over!

Audrey
Ambassador Photo_April

April

Ambassador Bio:

My many interests include ballet, drawing, church, YouTube, Miracle League Baseball, and spreading the magic of friendship! My diagnosis has made me aware of the differences in the world and the need for inclusion.

 

April
Dave Photo_4

Dave

Ambassador Bio:

I live with MYH7-Myopathy.  I am a devoted husband and father and have spent a lifetime drumming and still do so when I can in limited chunks. 

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

LED lights under our bed have been a huge help.  The bed has the ability to raise to more of a seated position and has several head and foot massage options.

Dave
Peyton

Peyton

Ambassador Bio:

I spend most of my days dreaming up recipes and watching cooking shows. When not cooking, I love to build things with Lego's. Working with the MDA has allowed me to become more confident in sharing information about my disease and helped me meet other wonderful people.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

My favorite life hack is using long tongs to grab things I can't reach. Whether I need to reach something up high or across the stove, it allows me that extra reach that I need. 

Peyton
Payton

Payton

Ambassador Bio:

I was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) at the age of five. I graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2022 and currently work in psychology research studying disability and wellbeing. In my free time, I enjoy playing adaptive soccer and spending time with my service dog, Whitt.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

I love cute shoes, but, my AFOs require the footplate to go under a shoe insert. My grandma and I super glued a thin insert along the toe edge of the sandals so I can slip my AFO footplates under this insert and comfortably wear my sandals and AFOs.

Payton
Anna

Anna

Ambassador Bio:

I am the youngest of four children. I live with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and use a power wheelchair. I love reading, singing, and watching TV. I play on an adaptive baseball team and am a member of a girls-only running club. This year I will complete my third 5K race!

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

You can customize the voice commands on iPads to choose words that are easy to remember and to enunciate. For example, if you are reading a book on the Kindle app you can change your preferences to be able to say "page" instead of "swipe left" to turn the page. 

Anna
Natalie

Natalie

Ambassador Bio:

I'm an MDA ambassador and have a form of muscular dystrophy. I have one dog named Snuggles. I love spending my free time outside and hanging out with family and friends. My favorite hobbies are fishing and reading. 

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My favorite life hack is to carry around my favorite water bottle with me to make sure I drink a lot of water. 

Natalie
Mindy Henderson

Mindy

Bio:
Mindy is the editor-in-chief of Quest Media and a former state ambassador for MDA. She also spends time speaking, is a published author, and an advocate for the community of individuals living with disabilities.

I am an avid shopper, and get excited to find items that work well for me, complement my life, and help me to be more independent. I am excited to add my own recommendations to those of the other ambassadors you see here, and am grateful for their contributions! 

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

One of my favorite life hacks is to wear any kind of shoe that laces up the front. I can open the laces nice and wide and slip my foot in easily without needing to have lots of flexibility in my ankles. Then I can pull the laces as tight as I want - pulling the laces tight on my shoes once I have them on almost works like a compression sock and keeps the puffiness in my foot to a minimum.

Mindy

Our Favorites

This is the season of family and friends, parties and gatherings, and other festivities. It is a time to celebrate, and to reflect on all we have to be grateful for. These thoughtfully curated products are recommended by MDA Ambassadors as items that make some area of their life just a little easier.

Find the perfect gift here to enhance the independence of someone you love, and maybe a little something for yourself as well!

Long Sleeve Adaptive Flannel Shirt

Recommended by: Mindy

Available in men’s, women’s and kids. Easy closure for limited dexterity – a variety of colors, and SO cute!

Wellow Compression Socks

Recommended by: David

These are comfy like a dress sock while providing proper support. Much easier to get on and off than standard compression socks.

BaBylissPROHair Straightener

Recommended by: Audrey

I get tired when straightening my hair and I need a tool that works quickly and is lightweight. I love this hair straightener!

Extra Long Shoe Horn

Recommended by: Audrey

When I want to wear shoes I cannot slip on, I use my handy dandy extra long handle shoe horn. Independence is key!

Custom Bike

Recommended by: Mindy

This one is a splurge, but each bike is custom-made, and can be either self powered with your hands or feet, or powered by a small motor. Total independence!

Remote Control Candles

Recommended by: David

This is a nice way to safely have a calm, relaxing atmosphere or vibe in the home without worry of getting up to turn them on.

The Flippy

Recommended by: Anna

This product can hold devices or books at different angles. It is soft and lightweight, and it comes in multiple colors and patterns.

Koolaburra Koola Winter Boots

Recommended by: Natalie

Living in a place where it gets very cold in the winter time, these keep my feet warm and they’re light and comfy.

Hand Grips

Recommended by: Payton

Opening things like jars can be challenging for me. These grips help me independently open most jars, bottles, or other packaging.

Back Massage Seat Cushion

Recommended by: Peyton

This helps relieve my pain and plugs into my wheelchair so I can turn it on anytime I feel like I need it.

Friendly Shoes

Recommended by: Peyton

These shoes are made to fit many foot styles. They zip up the side for easy on and off. They come in many different colors and feel great.

Evercolor Shadow Stick

Recommended by: Mindy

OBSESSED! Great for limited dexterity because they swipe on easily, and are easy to blend for whatever effect you’re looking for. Long wear, but easy to remove!

Custom Gaming Controllers

Recommended by: Mindy

Gamer’s dream! Affordable, CUSTOM controllers. They offer ready-made controllers, or fill out the START form, specify your needs and they will make one for you.

Billy Shoes

Recommended by: April

So easy to get on and off, even over AFO’s, with the full zipper that opens the entire shoe!

360 Cups

Recommended by: April

360 cups are stainless steel and spill-proof.  They keep ice-cold with ice for hours throughout the school day or while traveling. April loooooves these and the…

MDA CORNER

Donate to MDA

Recommended by: Mindy H.

Give the ultimate gift and help MDA continue to send kids to summer camp, fund research and provide world-class care through our care centers across the country

Volunteer

Recommended by: Mindy H.

There are lots of volunteer opportunities with MDA! Volunteer at summer camp or other events, OR join our grassroots advocacy team to use your voice for change.

Quest Magazine Subscription

Recommended by: Mindy H.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news, tools, and resources by signing up for a FREE subscription to Quest Magazine, and receive four issues a year.