Help w/ Gift for Little Girl w/ CP

[drgnfly30]

I'm leaving for Disney on Sunday & always like to bring gifts back...

One of my co-workers has two kids, one of them has Cerebral Palsy (6 yr old girl). I'd love to bring something back for her (and her brother) but have no clue what would be appropriate (and I want it to be a surprise!).

She's non verbal and has very very limited mobility (will never walk). Would a stuffed animal be best?!

HELP me spread some magic!

 

[of2dbeach]

was thinking a stuffed animal or what about Mickey ears with there names on them? other thought was an autograph book for each with characters signatures but not sure if that would be too much trouble? Very thoughtful of you
thought of something else what about a back pack for her wheelchair or a special sippy/straw cup ?

 

[MSSANDRA]

Maybe a very soft flexible stuffed animal that would be easy for her to hold on to? What is her mental ability? If she functions on a much younger level, maybe a lights or sound toys? Maybe something princess, all little girls are princesses!

 

[WheeledTraveler]

Just because she's non-verbal and can't walk doesn't mean that she won't like most things most 6 year old girls like. I'd look at what your budget is for her brother and then think about what a 6 y/o girl would like within the same budget. Stuffed animals are a safe fallback, but she might also like a Disney princess t-shirt or Minny Ears. If you want to put the effort into the autograph book idea someone else had, that would also be great. Mostly don't age-down the gift just because the girl can't walk or talk.

Unless it looks like a normal 6 year-old's water bottle, I wouldn't do a Disney sippy cup. Just because I'm willing to use a Disney sippy-cup aimed at 3-4 year olds now (I'm 26 and have trouble holding onto cups so like to use things that won't spill) doesn't mean I wouldn't have been heavily offended by it at age 6. (I don't have CP and wasn't outwardly disabled at 6, but I know my friends with CP would have been offended or were since certainly they had those experiences).

 

[drgnfly30]

Maybe a very soft flexible stuffed animal that would be easy for her to hold on to? What is her mental ability? If she functions on a much younger level, maybe a lights or sound toys? Maybe something princess, all little girls are princesses!

She does function on a much younger level so a lights/sounds toy might be an idea. I'm also leaning towards personalized ears (do they still sell the princess ones?) for both & maybe a small plush! Thanks for the ideas, I didn't want a mis-step on this one!

 

[SueM in MN]

The light toys are pretty cool and there are various kinds, from Tinkerbell to Princesses to Mickey.

You can get 'make your own ears' at a shop in Downtown Disney in the same building as the Art of Disney, next to the Rainforest restaurant. You choose the different pieces to personalize the ears.

Shirts or stuffed animals are always good too.

I agree with the others about not getting cups with straws. They do have some that older kids might use, but they would probably be too big for a 6 year old and some kids with CP ( like my DD) are not able to use a straw.

I also would probably not do an autograph book because it would be something that would mean a lot more to someone who actually went around to collect the autographs.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

I think a light toy would be a nice choice.

 

[of2dbeach]

thought of something else what about a back pack for her wheelchair or a special sippy/straw cup ?

Yeah I wasent meaning sippy cup but couldnt think of sports cup with the spout. Sorry! Daughter also suggested Figment ?

 

[KPeveler]

I go for personalized ears myself - something uniquely Disney you cannot get anywhere else.

Just wanted to reiterate what WheeledTraveler said - don't "age-down" a gift because of her disability. Especially with young, non-verbal children, knowing their intellectual capabilities is difficult. There are plenty of things within her physical needs that won't make her feel badly.

 

[youcansmellit]

The ears are the way to go. I would tell a cast member in guest services who you are getting them for. I'm sure they would have a better idea for something special. Most of the time they go far beyond what is expected.

 

[mommycrawford]

I would get the Minnie Mouse erars on a headband....The hat ears can press hair to the forehead which could be irritating if she doesn't have the dexterity to adjust that herself.

Whatever you get will surely bring a smile, as children like to be remembered about most of all.

 

[Dan1]

The ears are the way to go. I would tell a cast member in guest services who you are getting them for. I'm sure they would have a better idea for something special. Most of the time they go far beyond what is expected.

I second this from youcansmellit; let the CM (especially if you are staying on site speak with the Concierge CM) know and offer up suggestions.

You never know what Pixie Dust might be sprinkled by the CM.

Our DD also has DD so I can emphathize. Thoughts that came to my mind (with similar for her sibling) include:

- A stuffed animal, from her favourite Disney movie
- A photo of Mickey, Minnie or her favourite Disney movie character signed in large easy to read signature "To [insert her name here], Love [insert Disney Character name here]
- Mickey / Minnie Mouse ears with her name was a good suggestion; you can always place it somewhere that will be visible in her room so she can see it easily, e.g. night table, dressing table, etc.
- One of those WDW beach towels (they alwasy seem to have one of those on sale in the Disney Market Place Village). Our DD uses here set every day (we've collected a lot of them over the years) to dry off from her batgh.
- Speaking of bath, what about a few of those shrunk Disney face cloths that will expand when put in water for the first time.


Good Luck!
Dan

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I agree the ears are great!

We also had a gift need for a little girl disabiled.but not as severe as this poor child.

We got her a parasoll (spl)? at France. It was brightly colored and had her name hand painted on it with a disney design. She would have it with her in the wheel chair!

I prayer for the child and for you folks for thinking of her! Have a great trip!

AKK