what gift should i give ...?

splodger_seedswapper

what gift should i give to a recently disabled person? that is the question.
story so far:
my neighbour went into hospital in may - for a complicated heart op - it didn't go so good for him - got paralysis - op didn't work either so had to have another - got more paralysis.

pre op - he was an very active chap - walked and cycled everywhere etc - loved life - now poor blighter is paralised from the chest down.
this has obviously been a huge shock for him and it's a massive thing to have to come to terms with.
anyway the hospital he was in initially was too far away for me to visit - so i haven't seen him since just before the jubilee - but now he has been moved into a spinal rehab centre which is closer - so i would like to visit him and maybe try and cheer him up a bit - i know (from his sister) that he is really struggling to come to terms with this "difficult" position he now finds himself in - so i was thinking that maybe an inspiration / motivational book (possibly about beating lifes challenges) might be a good gift to take to him - but i have no idea what book to get - so thought i'd ask on here - to see what you guys think.

i think he has been through every crossword / suduko puzzle book - these past few months - so looking for inspiration gift ideas please (i don't think he can eat / swallow at the mo - so i can't use a bag of grapes as a back up plan)

you thoughts would be extremely welcome - thanks
splodger

wolfehouse

how about a cheap mp3 player loaded with a bunch of music he likes.

Dark_Star

Cheapo electronic chess game? Pit his wits against the machine?

http://www.ukgamesshop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=chco

pickpocketlocket

Does the unit have Patientline tv/ telephone? You could get him a few of the voucher cards, make sure he's got something to watch?

I'm not sure about a motivational book - a lovely thought, but it might be too soon, especially if his condition is not going to improve massively?

Crisp_£_note

You could ask his Sister for advice ?

I like the idea WolfHouse suggested about the MP3 but you really need an idea of what music he wants and he may even already have one by now so perhaps a giftvoucher for more songs and some time out of your day to download some new ones for him either from a list you have taken from him of specific songs or artists he likes (there might be newer albums he hasnt got yrt), pr perhaps you could spend time while your there with him downloading them together, or how about audio books something different for him than the usual visitor routines and maybe a bit less awkward if he doesnt want to reminisce yet again over the past few months?

Failing that theer was a very inspiring film on the other night about how the Paraolympics was created.These games were formed so that men and woman who had been paralyzed can still participate. They were organized in 1948 by a Sir Ludwig Guttmann (I think he was a DR) when he created a sports competition in order to involve World War II veterans who were suffering from spinal cord injuries.

Sorry I dont remember the name of the film or what channel it was on as it was something that happend to be on that I grew interested in and continued viewing but it may be online somewhere?


Maybe its just worth visiting him and being there to listen there will be enough for you to volunteer to help with as a neighbour to compensate when he gets home I am sure.

Hope this helps ?