Present ideas needed please

kingfisherblue

My son is 18 in April - a massive achievement since he was given just four hours to live when he was transferred to Alder Hey Hospital (he was five hours old when transferred). He had four major abnormalities of the digestive system corrected. He also has Down's Syndrome.

So, here is my problem. My ex and I are giving him a large fish tank and everything it needs. We are also sharing the cost of a party. Friends and family are already asking for ideas regarding his birthday presents, and we're a bit stuck.

He loves animals and wants some books about animals. He also loves maps, writing, and watching DVDs. He also loves photos of family. He likes horticulture at school, and last year he was very lucky to have a garden makeover (his photo is currently on https://www.wellchild.org.uk under 'Helping Hands', showing him with some of the volunteers). He has everything he needs for his garden - his vegetable plants and seeds, sand and water play area, sensory items, storage, table and chairs, tools, Zimmer frame thing on wheels, etc).

Ideas so far are:

Magazine subscription to World of Animals (words can be a bit tricky, but he loves the magazine and I buy it for him most months. He keeps them and looks at past issues regularly)

Map colouring books (there are a couple on Amazon)

Personalised notebook

Photo book/canvas print of family

Clothes

My mum has bought him a new rug for his bedroom (world map with animals on), and is getting him a lamp.
My son is buying him a Tshirt that says 'Keep calm, it's only an extra chromosone' and a new rucksack (he uses a rucksack to carry books and pads wherever he goes).
My daughter is buying him a photo frame with 18 on it, but it also comes with a pen for people to write messages round the frame. He loves looking back on his autograph book from primary school, where the kids wrote messages to each other just before leaving.

He has an IPad (for communication) and a hudl for games. He also uses his IPad and an MP3 player for music.

He has books and DVDs galore. He doesn't need ITunes vouchers as a local charity gave him a large amount a couple of years ago, and they've bought all the music he wants. He can't tell the time, but has a couple of watches that he doesn't wear. He received a portable DVD player at Christmas.

So, I know I'm being awkward, but does anybody have any ideas please? I know that I am the person who knows my son best, but I'm truly stuck for ideas. His level of maturity and mental age is around 6-8 years. His reading ability is around the same.

I'd be grateful for any ideas. I know I could just ask for money from those who ask, but some want to give him a 'proper' present to unwrap. Also, he doesn't understand the value of money.

Thanks for earring with me. I know it's a very long post!

GlasweJen

This is a weird one but Ordance Survey can personalise a map for you, you choose where to drop the pin and the actual map is a standard OS map but the cover has your photo and a message on it, I got it for OH as a gift from the dog one christmas and dropped the pin in the middle of all their walks.

Your son might not get much joy from the actual map but having his picture on it might be nice?

kingfisherblue

That sounds great Jen, thank you. If they can do a large enough scale, he will be able to recognise parts of our town with help. He's just swapped bedrooms with his brother too, so it would be a great idea for his wall.

Thank you.

Confuseddot

Some ideas may not be helpful.
Subscription to now TV or Amazon prime or something like so he watch more DVDs programs about animals ?

Canvas print/poster or something of something he has written that he likes.

Portable speakers

Map covers for his iPad

Sponsorship of animal from zoo/safari park

Not sure how suitable some of these are but it may help you with ideas
http://www.wickeduncle.co.uk/presents/boys/age-6

kingfisherblue

Some great ideas, thank you confuseddot. We live near a safari park, so animal sponsorship would be easy to arrange. I like the ideas of a print of his words and portable speakers too.

I'll also take a look at the website - it's not one I'm familiar with.

Thank you.

teddysmum

I was going to suggest 'adopting' a zoo animal,too and believe that the sponsor gets free visits to meet their animal, together with regular mailings about its progress.


Some dog rescues also let you sponsor a dog who is too sick to be adopted, as treatment is too expensive for someone to take on, but in this case visits are probably not possible.

elsien

Would he manage one of those "be a keeper for a day" type experiences?

(That t-shirt is brilliant, by the way.)
Is he into sensory stuff - lava lamps, that sort of thing? Or outdoor games - the garden size jenga, swingball, chucking the ring over the hoop, that sort of thing. There's quite a lot you can do even if mobility is limited.
Cinema vouchers? Promises to go out with him to the activity of his choice later in the year?

Jackieboy

Do you think he'd appreciate it if people made a donation to Wellchild in his name?

teddysmum

Regarding the aquarium, there are a number of regional groups on Facebook, where people buy and sell fish and equipment.

Often there are complete setups (including fish) for sale, at very good prices.This may suit you as ,because the tank is already matured, you would not need to go through the slow process of balancing the water in an empty tank and only being able to introduce just a few fish at a time.

kingfisherblue

Thank you for all the suggestions.

I've looked at 'keeper for the day', but although he loves am male, he keeps at a distance. It's quite a busy and energetic day as well. We support the cat rescue as that's where our cat came from.

We have a few garden games but giant Jenga is a good idea. He's not really into sensory stuff, although we included windchimes and scented plants in the garden.

I don't think he understands donations, although I am happy to support Well child when I can.

I have his fishtank already. It was secondhand and came with everything. It is much bigger than we could otherwise afford, but did need a good clean. My ex has kept fish for more than twenty years, so he is sorting all that out. He's also revarnishing the cabinet that came with it. We're buying new ornaments, plants and fish of our son's choice. Although the fishtank is his main present, he's also having a party and this will cost more - hence sharing the cost.

Thank you for some great ideas. I'm happy for more suggestions if anybody has some.

kazzah

I was going to suggest one of the close up with animals experience days too - this place has some good ones - the photography ones look good if you think he could manage them with support?

http://experiences.lastminute.com/animal-encounters