Quest Holiday Guide

MDA Quest Media Product Guide

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 for someone else in your life who you want to get a thoughtful gift for. 

These items are recommended by MDA Ambassadors, but MDA does not receive any portion of the proceeds. This is a resource we have curated because we LOVE you and because we LOVE things that make your life just a little easier.

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.

Connor_2

Connor S.

Ambassador Bio:

Connor enjoys fitness and has played lacrosse for over 8 years. He prides himself on academics, where he works hard and takes almost all AP and Honors classes. He has attended several MDA Summer Camp sessions and says being part of a community that understands him has been an amazing opportunity.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

If the tab of a can is pressed down, slide a plastic card like an I.D. or debit card to pop up the tab to make it easier for you to grab it.

Connor S.
Vanessa_1

Vanessa O.

Ambassador Bio:

Vanessa is married and has two sons. She enjoys spending her time volunteering. Vanessa says that MDA was there to support at her MDA Care Center during her diagnostic journey. She is thankful for the many resources and programs offered to the community.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

I attend weekly Pilates/yoga classes to work on stretching, balance, and breathing.

Vanessa O.
Nora_2

Nora R.

Ambassador Bio:

Nora enjoys spending her time volunteering. She has been a youth mentor, helps to organize fundraising events for local foster care agencies, and volunteers in online support groups. She is a college graduate who has a passion for continuing to learn and grow.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

My favorite life hack is using a mechanic’s stool chair in the home when cleaning or working on a house project. It has space at the bottom to hold supplies, easily adjusts up and down, and I can just roll around the house on it to wipe down furniture. I have also used it while painting a table and cooking. 

Nora R.
Tamara

Tamara B.

Ambassador Bio:

Tamara is a dedicated advocate, wife, proud mother of three, and an active participant in her community. She is currently serving as Ms. Wheelchair Kansas. Driven by a desire for change, she has utilized social media to raise awareness about muscular dystrophy, disability rights, and the experiences of living with a wheelchair.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

"My life hack is: I pick my clothes out the night before. Yup, just like when I was in school. I choose what I will wear the next day, including shoes and accessories. Then I hang my clothes next to me where I can easily reach them. This has helped reduce stress and time the next day and allows me to get up and going faster. It also reduces the number of transfers from chair to bed because I don't have to transfer to the chair to find clothes then get back in bed to get dressed and then transfer back to the chair! Getting my stuff together the night before helps reduce all of that."

Tamara B.
Ryker 3 (1)

Ryker D.

Ambassador Bio:

Ryker enjoys going on trips, making art, gaming, watching movies, and helping others. He wants others to know that they are not alone. He is always excited to put smiles on the faces of the people he meets.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

If you use a walker, you can turn their walker backwards in the bathroom over the toilet and use the handles to help lower yourself onto toilet or help stand back up.
If you have trouble getting into a van, use a lightweight wooden step to make it easier. They can be purchased on Amazon.
Instead of buying backseat organizers, hang a backpack on the back of seat to store items and hold water bottles.
Use a lunch pail to hold medicine and separate each child's medicine. I have two boys and they have their own lunch pail for their medicine. I also use yellow dot stickers for morning and dark blue for evening and I also write it out a list. This makes it easier for other family members to manage their medications.

Ryker D.
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Breion J.

Ambassador Bio:

Breion is a college graduate, a social media influencer, and a brand ambassador for two cosmetic companies. She says she learned so much about herself and built confidence during her time as an MDA Summer Camper.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My life hack is using a lanyard to open and close doors by looping it around the doorknob. I find it easier when the door knobs have a curve on them, that way the lanyard can hook on better.

Breion J.
Frankie_3

Frankie B

Bio:
Frankie is a talented musician and a veteran MDA Summer Camp camper. She says she has met many amazing people that have changed her life because of camp. Frankie is a singer/songwriter, piano, guitar, and ukulele player, and painter. She hopes to record her first demo later this year.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My life hack helps ensure that I get a good night's sleep every night. First, I set the "do not disturb" on my phone notification settings to make sure I won't get distracting pings. Next, I play ambient noises on an app (I use the Rain Rain app on my iPhone and especially like the "Summer Rain" and "Gentle Thunder" sounds) to help drown out noises from my family, pets, and neighborhood.

Frankie B
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Rigo D.

Bio:
Rigo is an artist who studied at the Art Institute of Dallas. Although he has faced challenges living with a neuromuscular disease, he likes to focus on what's most important to him. He wants his artwork to advocate for people with disabilities and for it to tell others that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My favorite life hack is cooking with the Instant Pot. It's so much fun to cook with it. It makes cooking easier & the food lasts longer!

Rigo D.

Our Favorites

As mother-nature is bringing cooler temperatures, we bring you a whole new batch of MDA-Ambassador-approved products to check out. Consider them your personal shoppers, and check out their recommendations below. Your new “favorite thing” may be a click away!

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

Ghome Smart Power Strip

Recommended by: Tamara B.

“This is a holiday must-have. It’s hard to reach and bend, this takes away the challenge of turning my Christmas tree lights on and off. I just use my voice!”

Car Mount

Recommended by: Breion J.

“I use this car mount to livestream while I’m in the car or traveling. It also makes phone calls and facetime easier and hands-free.”

Cane with Foam Grip

Recommended by: Rigo D.

“This cane helps me keep my balance when walking. If I start to fall, holding onto the cane helps soften the impact and prevent serious injury.”

Shower Caddy

Recommended by: Rigo D.

“Having my sponge, body wash, and shampoo organized and in easy reach has made showering a lot easier for me.”

Instant Pot

Recommended by: Rigo D.

“The Instant Pot has made cooking a lot easier and it’s a lot of fun to use!”

Bath & Body Works Hand Sanitizers

Recommended by: Vanessa O.

“Bath & Body Works small hand sanitizers smell amazing! They have clips to attach them to your bag or backpack. These are great stocking stuffers!”

U-Shaped Kids Toothbrush

Recommended by: Ryker D.

“This toothbrush helps to get the hard-to-reach teeth and makes the whole experience much easier.”

StrongTek One Step Stool

Recommended by: Ryker D.

“My son struggles to get into the family van due to his weakened muscles. Stepping up onto this makes getting in the van easier because it lifts him a little.”

Foam Toothpaste for Kids

Recommended by: Ryker D.

“This foam toothpaste tastes great and is not as thick as regular toothpaste, which is helpful for kids with sensory issues.”

Elevated Toilet Seat

Recommended by: Rigo D.

“Grabbing on to the handles makes it easier for me to get up.”

CPAP Battery

Recommended by: Nora R.

“I use this battery to power my bipap when traveling in the car, on flights, camping, and during power outages. On my settings, it last for 6 hours.”

Phone Strap

Recommended by: Nora R.

“This product is good for when my grip is not strong or to hold the phone at certain angles that are difficult without enough strength.”

CPAP Tube Cleaner

Recommended by: Nora R.

“I clean my machine tubing with this. After, I run a small cloth through the ring on one end and through the tubing to dry the inside.”

Adjustable Bed with Remote

Recommended by: Tamara B.

“This frame helps me to sit up on my own without struggling. It also has a zero gravity feature, which helps reduce pain in my hips.”

Shampoo Cap

Recommended by: Nora R.

“These are great for hospital stays (some hospitals offer them), traveling, or days when it is difficult to get out of bed or move around.”

MDA CORNER

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.

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