The halls are decked, there is a tree inside the house, and carols play non-stop in every shopping centre… Christmas is in full swing! So here are a few tips to consider if you wish to give disability-related items or aids as Christmas gifts.

Firstly, has the receiver expressed a need/want for a particular item, for example, if they have said they wanted a portable ramp to take with them on trips? If yes, this is 100% an excellent gift idea!

Secondly, does the receiver currently use a disability item that is damaged/broken or past its used-by date? If yes, consider getting them a new version of the exact same item. However, the replacement needs to be carefully considered as some items are custom-made or it is difficult to find an exact replacement. Also, people may become very attached to their equipment so sometimes it is difficult or undesirable to change to new aids even if the equipment is getting older. Be prepared for the fact that new equipment may take some time to get used to!

Thirdly, would you like to give an upgraded disability item? For example, you may want to gift a person with a disability who already uses a cane, a new fancy cane with a personalised pattern. This is a great gift idea! However, I would recommend keeping the receipt and making sure to have an exchange policy, just in case the new item is not suitable.

Lastly, is the gift appropriate for the current age and ability of the receiver? For example, when I turned sweet 16, I was given a mobility scooter as a gift. Now I don’t want to sound ungrateful for this very expensive item but I absolutely HATED THIS GIFT!!! Because I was young, fit and capable of using my manual wheelchair for mobility. I saw this gift as an insult to my current abilities and independence. It was something that I did not want or need and felt embarrassed to tell my friends about. But of course, there is nothing wrong with a mobility scooter as a gift if it is wanted by the receiver. So, carefully consider if your gift choice is appropriate and not offensive to the ability of the receiver. 

I hope these tips are helpful in finding the perfect thoughtful gift that brings joy to both the giver and the receiver. Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

About the Author:

Susan Seipel is a diverse para-athlete with a background in swimming, equestrian, and is a triple World Champion in the sport of Paracanoe.

She won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and was the first Australian in history to win a medal in Paracanoe at the Paralympic level. At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, Susan won a silver medal in the inaugural women’s canoe event. She is currently training for Paris 2024.

Outside of sport, Susan is a proud ambassador for RSPCA Queensland and is passionate about animal welfare. She is also studying Psychology at university.

http://www.susanseipel.com