So how did it go?
The iPod Shuffle was a wonderful hit. She started dancing and my MIL and her BF, who is the father, were so surprised they couldn’t thank us enough. They’ve never seen her react that way. The fluffy blanket, elementary jigsaw puzzles were a bust but she loved the gold pin and scarf.
The iPod Shuffle was ground breaking. We already owned 239 country songs from iTunes and put them on the inexpensive $39 iPod so if she loses it or breaks it we can replace it.
All the help here was invaluable. Music, jewelry, clothing was the best advice, thank you all so much! My MIL left in tears.
We also learned she’s not with Down’s Syndrome but severely mentally handicapped. We had a few problems with trips to the bathroom, constant confusion, but all in all they said she coped very well and is on new meds that help her not become angry or violent. They said this was the best she’s ever been in these new circumstances. Not because anything we did of course, it was just the perfect storm of circumstance.