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5 Gifts for the Brain Injury Survivor on Your Holiday List

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The holiday season is just around the corner, and that means it’s time to shop! The holidays can be a very hard time for people with disabilities, including brain injury survivors; they can be reminders of life before brain injury and a logistical nightmare for managing symptoms and triggers. Here are a few gift ideas for the brain injury survivor on your list that will lift their spirits and put a check mark on your shopping list:

1) Essential oils. I swear by Saje products! I have been using them for brain injury-related symptoms for two years and welcome this source of natural treatment into my life. Saje products treat a number of wellness issues, many that a brain injury survivor may experience. I have used their products for headaches, energy, sleep and to get an extra boost when brain fog takes over.

2) Step up your gift card game. Having a traumatic brain injury can be expensive, especially if you don’t have benefits through insurance. If your loved one gets any type of treatment such as acupuncture, massage, etc. consider skipping the gift card to the mall and getting them a gift card for their treatment.

3) Anything for a relaxing night in. One of the top concerns for many traumatic brain injury survivors is fatigue. This means a lot of nights in for the purpose of recovering and relaxing. Bath bombs, candles, fuzzy socks and comfy PJ’s can go a long way after an exhausting day of brain injury symptoms.

4) Notebooks, notebooks, notebooks. Brain injury survivors use notebooks for a number of reasons: to keep track of important tasks and information, to document what is said at appointments and to keep track of symptoms. A brain injury survivor can never have too many notebooks in their collection.

5) A new interest or hobby. Brain injury often results in changes of interests and hobbies. This can be due to personality changes following the injury, or as a result of not being able to participate in activities they once enjoyed. If you have noticed your loved one has taken up a new interest or hobby post-brain injury, buy them something related to that.  This will positively contribute to the new life and self they are trying to put together post-injury.

Happy Holidays to all of my fellow brain injury survivors!

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Getty image by Lenta.

Originally published: December 5, 2017
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