Xmas gift help

[SS MAYFLOAT]

I need your help. I have a 12yr old grandson that is almost blind. He can see things within 2 to 3 feet away, and has a hard time with seeing small details. Besides this he has what seems to me is autism. <br /><br />It is very hard to buy for him. He loves swords. However, he has just about every noise, vibrating, lighted and talking sword there is.<br /><br />Anything that he can ride is out of the question since he is unable to see where he is going. Got a sled for him two years ago, he had fun until he hit a tree that jumped out in front of him. He was okay though. With video games he has to be right is front of the TV which is not healthy. <br /><br />He has several fishing poles. We bait the hook and remove the fish for him since he can't see the hook.<br /><br />I thought about a pup tent and a sleeping bag. My wife doesn't think his mom will let him spend a night out in the back yard. To me he could use it in the daytime just to play.<br /><br />Any other ideas? He is a great boy even with his physical challanges........SS

 

[Ross J]

Re: Xmas gift help

How about a Superman or Batman outfit? If autisisms a part of his difficulties then he'l be very capable of escaping into his make-believe world for a while with that, many happy hours playing there!<br />Otherwise music is a most enjoyable pastime and he will no doubt enjoy some of his favourite music from an uncle.<br />Ross

 

[timothyl]

Re: Xmas gift help

How about legos and/or a koosh ball? The textures of a kooshball is theraputic for individuals of all abilities and legos help the visual/creative abilities.<br /><br />Just showing concern and thought is a great deal more than many individuals of this earth take the time to do. Best of luck

 

[tylerin]

Re: Xmas gift help

SS Mayfloat, How's about a puppy (man's best friend), or some other furry little friend.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Xmas gift help

A couple of suggestions. Book stores now carry audio taped books on cassette or CD that might interest him If you've never listened to one yourself, they're really great especially on long trips. The inflections they put in the story are much better than when you read them yourself.<br /><br />Also, I know he dosen't see well but if he can see close up a kaleidoscope would be a cool gift for him. They make some pretty neat ones now having to do with space.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Xmas gift help

Ross touched on music and thats a great thought... Maybe take it a step further and find him a musical instrument, like a keyboard perhaps..

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: Xmas gift help

a 12 year old boy???<br /><br />I know what I would have wanted, braille issues of Playboy and Hustler!!!!<br /><br />but thats just me!<br /><br />Hmmmm, but on a serious note, so to speak, the sonic aspect is intriguing, he likely has heightened powers of hearing, perhaps a sound "mixer" would be fun, something you might find at radio shack, I think they might call it an aharmomic synthesizer or something similar<br /><br />My other great passion as a teen was long distance late night radio, what I believe is called clear signal radio, you can on a good night with a GOOD AM radio tune in LA stations in philly, I used to love listening to a trucker station down in Slidell LA ... the neat thing is, if you do a search on Dogpile or Google, youll find radios that are custom built for hunting down such stations, hypersensitive AM tuner

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Xmas gift help

Thanks for the great ideas. Going to check out some of the bookstores, and then check on a keyboard.<br /><br />Playboy/Penthouse braile issues will have to wait til he is older. <br /><br />SS

 

[plywoody]

Re: Xmas gift help

I know a lot about childhood blindness, but almost nothing about autism, or what limitations that may require.<br /><br />If he is interested in books on tape, that is a great idea, but get the proper player, as any book you can imagine is available for free from the library for the blind.<br /><br />Again, I don't know aobut the autism, but over-protecting blind kids is a mistake. My daughter is blind since she was 5 years old, but she snow skis, water skis, and has since she was 7--She pretty much the same likes and dislikes as any other kid her age, with some obvious limits, of course. If he likes camping, try to convince the parents that a sleeping bag and a tent are a great idea.<br /><br />The biggest problem will be convincing the parents, I am afraid.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Xmas gift help

no expert here, but it seems like the perfect time<br />for his first seeing eye dog. it will help him be<br />independent and more importantly provide lots of<br />love and attention. <br />maybe ladyfish has some info. on this?<br />merry x-mas,<br />M.Y.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Xmas gift help

M.Y.-- Ding ding ding!!!!<br />WHat a great way to teach him about life and responsibility.<br />A SE dog will bring many rewards, as well as companionship , mobility, and freedom.

 

[wikelam]

Re: Xmas gift help

Go with the dog.<br /><br />best of luck

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: Xmas gift help

Keyboards are relatively inexpensive these days,music keeps the mind active also there may be a hidded talent .So you can do both cause like it was said before the dog is a wonderful idea.

 

[GodsBeast]

Re: Xmas gift help

I like the above mentioned three ideas, the seeing eye dog, to give him mobility and a companion that will love him unconditionally. I still tear up when I remember the story of Buddy, the seeing eye dog, that paved the way for seeing eye dogs, saved his master many times, and died at his Master's feet after getting him to work on that last day. <br /><br />I also think a musical instrument, may give him a future if he is interested and takes interest.<br /><br />I also immediately thought of a Microscope, or telescope, and agree with ladyfish about the Kaleidoscope, which may also test his interest, and may provide him with a future trade, to make a living in later life. <br /><br />So these might be great for you next three gifts.<br /><br />Also he is still a boy, and the seeing eye dog, tent and sleeping bag could be fun also. He needs to live a life w/out 24 hour sheltering! I mean he is in the back yard, and if Mom is really stressed about it, put a baby monitor in the tent with him the first night or two to calm her nerves some. Mom will probably be up all night anyway running to the window to check on him.

 

[timothyl]

Re: Xmas gift help

I agree that seeing eye dogs are a great asset for the visually impaired, however, it seems to me that should be something that the child recieves later.<br /><br />A 12 yr old child, especially one with a handicap, is just getting ready to go through a rough time as their bodies, attitudes, and characters change. This child will most likely go through a very rebellious period in the next few years, as do all kids. It seems to me that the child needs to be able rebel in order to discover his own limitations, both real and imagined. <br />A puppy, if parents agree, could be a wonderful pet, companion, and best friend and allow the child to have something that shows unconditional love during that rough transition into adulthood. However, an animal that further shows the childs limitations (such as being percieved to be just another item holding the child back)could very well end up being blamed for those limitations. <br /><br />When the child matures to the point where he is ready to accept his status in life and make a stand against his limitations, THEN they will be ready for a seeing-eye dog. <br /><br />AS for the Autistic tendencies, it could simply be that the child has not progressed to a formative maturation level equal to his age yet.<br /><br />Not trying to be cold hearted here, but just trying to give another point of view.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Xmas gift help

I wish to extend my thanks again for the wonderful replies.<br /><br />My grandson is visually impaired, but he is able to get around. He sees light, and can make out who people are if they are within 5 or 6 feet of him. He is not at the age of needing to be completely led around. His mom and dad stayed at my house for 3 years along with his other 2 brothers. So I can pretty much tell what his limits are. He can ride a bike, but basically he has problems like not being able to stop within the sight distance that he has. Example would be like trying to drive 70 mph with only 10' visibility.<br /><br />Where he lives they cannot have dogs, but they do have cats. I talked to my daughter today and suggested some of the ideas posted here as well as my own. She thinks the idea of getting him into camping is a great, His mom and dad does camp out with us on occassions.<br /><br />Thanks again for the help. It is greatly appreaciated......SS

 

[Offshore22]

Re: Xmas gift help

How about FRS radio. I know kids love walkie talkies and these work great.<br /> http://www.radioshack.com/category.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_008_009_008_001&Page=1 <br /><br />Best of luck<br />Offshore 22

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Xmas gift help

ssmayfloat, I partner with my Lion's Club, they are my number one volunteers. I joined 7 years ago and know for a fact they help children with low vision.<br /><br />here is the link to the Lion's Club locator Lion's Club International. Find a club near you and see if they have a dog program. If they don't they will sometimes use a portion of their annual revenue to help a child in need. Our local Lion's Club has done it on more than one occassion. We also send children with severe vision impairments to camp every year. Its a great program.

 

[jim phillips]

Re: Xmas gift help

I do not belive that there is a place in this country that you can not have a working dog I would check in to it more.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Xmas gift help

Seeing eye dogs are exempt from restrictions<br />and are protected by law to go anywhere its master<br />wishes to take it. Including restaurants and<br />hospitals.