The Hunt for Monkey Maracas

Oct. 25, 2009

One thing I’ve thought about on several occasions (especially Black Friday) is how other parents have to camp out, anxiously wait online, or spend hours and hours hunting for that one present/toy/gift that their child will just die without getting for Christmas, birthday, etc. I then smile knowing that Nathan would never ask or expect that of us. Still when there’s a certain thing that he shows interest in, especially that fits one of his therapy goals, Annette (primarily, but I help sometimes) take it upon ourselves to get one for him.

The first time I can really remember this happening was almost three years ago. At the time, Annette was the one running from therapy appointment to appointment. At the time he really wasn’t interested in any toy. Finally one week there was something that made him laugh, something that he’d reach for and if he got it in his grasp, he’d actually try to play with it. This was a turning point as early on Nathan's lack of muscle strength and tone made it difficult for him to even lift his arms so finding something that motivated him enough to make the effort to build that strength would be worth the hunt.

It was a maraca made out of plastic in the shape of a monkey. The handle was the tail and there was a spiral at the end that helped him keep it in his hand. He would shake it the entire therapy session thinking he had a prize. Annette told me of the monkey and how he actually seemed to have fun playing with it. The next week he was still interested in it, and the week after, he wouldn’t play with anything else until he had a chance to play with the maraca again.

That did it, Annette was convinced she was going to get her hands on one for us. She tried every department store, every toy store, every therapy shop, and every vendor looked at her like she was the monkey, having never heard of such a thing. (If Google could have laughed at her I think it would have.) After a week and still having no success, they went back to therapy and Annette wanted to see the monkey first. (Nathan was not amused that Mom was playing with the toy and he wasn’t.) She just wanted some clue as to find out who made it, and any information on how to get it. Our therapist who is very knowledgeable in toys and therapy items, had no clue where it came from, it was just in the bottom of a bin in their closet. The only thing we knew is that it was a Little Tikes.

Annette called the company only to find out their customer service person had not even heard of it, but looked it up and it had been discontinued years previously. The only valuable piece of information was lerning the name: Little Tikes Jungle Jamboree 5-Piece Music Set. It was part of a set of 2 monkey maracas, a panda tambourine, giraffe bell and turtle drum. Two monkeys?! All of the therapists were surprised that it came as a set because they had only had one maraca, so two would be doubly special for Nathan.

Nathan with his monkey maracas, circa Feb 2007 This left our search back to eBay, hoping someone was looking to get rid of it. Amazingly enough, a full set was up for bid. Needless to say, we won that auction, got it home and Nathan was a very happy camper. He’d sing and shake those maracas and put on a show for us, for 10-15 minutes at a time.

I tell you this story to share an opportunity to both help others find therapy toys to help their special kids as well as help the riding stables Nathan attends which has help him build so much strength over the past 6 months. White Pine Stables TRC, is teaming up with Beyond Play, a company specializing in toys with a purpose. Beyond Play will donate 10-15% of any purchase made between Oct. 26 and Nov. 9 using promotion code TRC09. We’ve bought several items from there, helping with his reaching/releasing, trying communication devices, alternative oral motor/feeding items and adapted toys as well. It’s amazing how well kids can do when they have the confidence they’re playing just like the other kids do.

We know that all parents go to the ends of the earth trying to get those things that bring the biggest sparkle to their eyes and lead to the biggest hugs kids can give. To this day the monkey maracas (which I’ve named Pete and Willie) still bring a smile to his face, and a song to all of our hearts.

Here's a list of resources we've used to find good toys/items for theraputic uses:

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