Quest Product Guide Feb25_bags

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.

August

August J.

Ambassador Bio:

August is currently on a gap year before starting college at the University of Southern California, where he will be studying computer engineering and science. August lives with spinal muscular atrophy and is passionate about showing that disabilities don't define people.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My favorite life hack is attaching a rope to door handles in my house so that I can open and close them more easily.

August J.
Dave

Dave D.

Ambassador Bio:

Dave is a proud father and grandfather who lives in New York with his wife of 35 years. He spent many years as a musician, licensed massage therapist, and guitar tech. After attending an MDA Care Center, Dave was diagnosed with myofibrillar myopathy and spheroid myopathy.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

Stretching Twice a Day! In order to be preserve as much mobility and flexibility as possible, I must stretch in the morning and right before bed at night.  I use an adapted yoga routine that stretches my muscles without overstraining.

Dave D.
Emily S

Emily S.

Ambassador Bio:

Emily is a successful graphic desginer from Missouri. She lives with late onset Tay Sachs disease. Emily loves to create artwork that benefits a good cause!

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

Emily's favorite life hack is using an hourly planner to help schedule not only her activities for the week, but also tasks that take energy. It helps spread out the tasks and not use all of her energy in one or two days. 

Emily S.
Haley

Haley F.

Ambassador Bio:

Haley lives in Iowa, where she runs Lazy J Rescue Ranch, an animal sanctuary, with her partner. Before working full time in animal rescue, she was inspired by her experiences living with spinal muscular atrophy to work in children's medical care.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACKS:

One of my favorite life hacks is planning meals a week at a time. Every Sunday, I create a meal plan and schedule a grocery pickup for Monday. Ordering groceries online has been a game-changer as it eliminates the hassle of navigating a store in my power wheelchair while struggling to push a cart or trying to fit everything into a basket on my lap. It also means I don’t have to worry about reaching items on high shelves when no one is nearby to help. Instead, I can order as much as I need, and then the store loads everything directly into my car. Once I get home, I can make multiple trips to get it all inside and then I have all the ingredients for the week’s meals so I don't have to conquer the grocery store again. This approach allows me to spread out tasks, like prepping fruits and vegetables, over several days when I feel up for it, so I don’t overwhelm myself or get too tired.

Haley F.
Julie

Julie I.

Ambassador Bio:

Julie lives in Ohio with her dogs. She is a hobby breeder, trainer, and handler of Maltese and Shihtzus. Living with congenital myasthenic syndrome and using a wheelchair makes showing dogs more difficult, but Julie is proud to be an inspiration for others to not give up on their goals.

Julie I.
Leslie Krongold Headshot

Leslie K.

Ambassador Bio:

Leslie had already been a longtime supporter of MDA when she was diagnosed with myotonic dystrophy in her mid 30's. Twenty-six years later, she continues to be a support group facilitator and community leader for those living with neuromuscular disease.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

I'm a big fan of using the iCal app (so it shows up on my desktop, phone, and watch) so I remember all the things I need to do and want to do to maintain optimal health -- things like taking certain vitamins/supplements, online exercise programs, and social outings.

Leslie K.
Saida

Saida M.

Bio:
Saida is a college student and lives with congenital muscular dystrophy in California. She is a passionate advocate and loves to participate in pageants, travel, and help others however she can.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My favorite life hack is keeping a Button Hook on all my clothes so I can get my clothes on as easily and quickly as possible.

Saida M.
Samaher

Samaher (Sam) A.

Bio:
Samaher is a passionate advocate who lives with limb girdle muscular dystrophy. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Cell Molecular Biology. Sam lives in California and loves to explore accessible trails and try new cuisines in her free time.

FAVORITE LIFE-HACK:

My three life hacks are: One, I use an emoji pillow on my right side while sitting in my wheelchair to improve my posture and provide additional support. Two, I use an electric kettle to quickly heat water for tea every night. And three, at the beginning of each year, I like to write down three goals I want to accomplish, three new cafes or restaurants I would like to try, and three new accessible sceneries or trails that I would like to explore.

Samaher (Sam) A.
Sir Patrick 1 - Copy

Sir Patrick W.

Bio:
Sir Patrick is an educator, entrepreneur, and streamer from North Carolina who lives with spinal muscular atrophy. He loves music, comics, and anime. He is going to back to school to earn his MBA.

 

Sir Patrick W.

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!

Computer Vacuum Cleaner

Recommended by: Sir Patrick W.

This is a small handy vacuum. I use this to clean my desk, keyboards, and game consoles. It is extremely lightweight and the power button is easy to trigger.

Compact Assist Railing

Recommended by: Emily S.

This rail is perfect and makes it much easier to sit up and get out of bed. And it can be taken apart and packed for travel.

Clip On Tool Belt Bag

Recommended by: Dave D.

This drawstring bag attaches to my wheelchair with a magnetic clip and carries my sunglasses, wallet, keys, and anything I need to access quickly and easily.

Chopstick Helper

Recommended by: Sir Patrick W.

This is especially useful if you have a hard time holding chopsticks. It keeps chopsticks in the intended position, and you can easily squeeze to pick up food.

CHI Titanium Hairstyling Iron XL

Recommended by: Haley F.

The extra-long plates and swivel cord allow me to straighten or curl my hair with fewer passes, saving time and effort. It’s light and easy to lift and maneuver…

Chair Camera

Recommended by: Dave D.

I use this as a backup camera for my power wheelchair. It works with any phone as long as your wheelchair has a USB port. It makes reversing so much easier!

CareZips® Adaptive Pants

Recommended by: August J.

Using the restroom for people in wheelchairs is often challenging. However, these fashionable pants make it a lot easier.

Calpak Water Bottle Holder

Recommended by: Emily S.

I love this bag! It has pockets for phone and keys and helps me carry things to and from the car and around the house, especially when using a cane or walker.

Button Hook

Recommended by: Saida M.

I use button hooks to help button everything – my shirts, jeans, jackets. It’s extremely helpful for people who with limited hand dexterity.

Bob and Brad Mini Massage Gun

Recommended by: Sir Patrick W.

This helps with sore and tight muscles and doesn’t take much hand strength to hold and utilize because of its size. I use it frequently!

Automatic Liquid Soap Dispenser

Recommended by: Sir Patrick W.

This has a sensor that releases soap when you put your hand under it, making it easy to apply soap to wash my hands, and can be manually turned on and off.

Apple TV 4K

Recommended by: August J.

This Apple product enables me to control my TV using my iPhone

Amika Perk Up Plus Dry Shampoo

Recommended by: Haley F.

These dry shampoos absorb grease, add volume, and smell amazing, giving a freshly washed hair feel without all the work of washing and rinsing in the shower.

Amazon Echo

Recommended by: Sir Patrick W.

I use this multiple times a day to control my lights and other devices, set alarms, search the web, ask questions, play music, make phone calls, and more.

All-Terrain Power Wheelchair

Recommended by: Dave D.

This all-terrain chair changed my life! It’s amazing outdoors and indoors. It climbs curbs, can go in grass, gravel, rocky terrains, and sand, and has a 12” lif…

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