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.
Breion_1-1-e1722972974711

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
Rigo2-1-e1722972791359

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!

Foldable Cane

Recommended by: Nora R.

“This is lightweight and portable with cute colors and patterns. I use it to navigate curbs when shopping then fold it and put it in the cart inside the store.”

Hair Brush

Recommended by: Nora R.

“This brush has been the easiest one for me to use. It is lightweight, can be used in the shower, is easy to clean, and is for all hair types and lengths.”

Nike FlyEase Shoes

Recommended by: Connor

“Zippers on these shoes let you open the sneaker and easily put it on. Zipping it back up allows a tight sneaker fit.”

Adaptive Nail Clippers

Recommended by: Connor

“The wide flat handle lets you put the clippers on a table and reduces the amount of fine motor skills needed when cutting your nails.”

Chocolate Orange

Recommended by: Connor

“These are both a nice treat and a perfect stocking stuffer. Putting it at the bottom of the stocking creates a perfect shape for the stocking toe to hold.”

Long-handled Shoe Horn

Recommended by: Frankie B.

“Super helpful for trying to quickly get shoes on without bending over or pinching fingers.”

Sketchers Bobs

Recommended by: Frankie B.

“My go-to shoes. Easy slip-ons, great “tread” on the soles, super comfortable with the memory foam, available in different colors, and machine washable!”

Hydroflask with Carry Handle

Recommended by: Frankie B.

“I carry this one all day at school. If I need my hands free, I just attach it to my backpack with a carabiner – or you can tie it with a string.”

Be Well IV Hoodie

Recommended by: Vanessa O.

“Both sleeves have zippers to allow for an IV. It keeps me warm during infusions. Great quality and fit. They also carry shirts with a chest port opening.”

Adjustable Base Mattress/Bed

Recommended by: Vanessa O.

“I can’t imagine life without this. I sleep at an elevated angle for my breathing. This is easily adjustable to stay comfortable and make breathing easier.”

Wedge Pillow

Recommended by: Vanessa O.

“This pillow helps to elevate my head and chest when I am traveling and sleeping away from my adjustable bed.”

Bath & Body Works Scented Candles

Recommended by: Vanessa O.

“I love the scented candles from Bath & Body Works. I always have one lit when I am home. They set the mood and help me relax.”

Pop Socket

Recommended by: Breion J.

“This helps me to hold me phone more easily.”

Can Tab Opener

Recommended by: Nora R.

“I love that a small business makes this! I personally think the design aspect of it makes it more “normal” to use and makes opening cans with tabs easier.”

Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive Shirt

Recommended by: Connor

“Magnetic buttons make it easy to “button” this button-up shirt. It allows you to dress in style with ease!”

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.