People who are new wheelchair users aren't always aware of all the issues that go into using a wheelchair. One of those issues is clothing. If you are just starting your wheelchair experience, you may not be aware that not all of your clothing works well with wheelchairs. Some of your favorite articles of clothing can become very uncomfortable in a wheelchair. You may start to think that being in a wheelchair might mean that you are going to end up wearing only a few plain things. Luckily, that isn't the situation. You can buy wheelchair appropriate clothing that fits your fashion sense and lifestyle.
Adaptive Clothing
Adaptive clothing is specifically designed to help make things easier for the wearer in their daily life. An example would be clothes with zippers or Velcro closures for people who have arthritis and can't manipulate small buttons. For a person who uses a wheelchair, adaptive clothing can include things like pants with a zipper on each side, making it easier to get into and out of them. Those pants would also make it easier to take care of any personal care needs while you are in your wheelchair.
Fashions for Wheelchair Users
These days, more people who use wheelchairs are speaking out about what works for them, what doesn't, and what they want their clothes to look like. Some people using wheelchairs are even starting to design their own clothes. These clothes are not only fashionable, they are also practical. There are several ways that those two things can be accomplished.
Outerwear
One problem that you may run into when you are using your wheelchair is that your winter coat doesn't work well. While it helps to keep you warm, the bulkiness of it can get caught in your wheels as you try to move. Extra material can also get caught up behind you, moving you out of position in your chair. Other choices may mean that you need to have someone push you, rather than moving on your own. However, fashionable adaptive outwear can eliminate those problems.
One way to eliminate the problem of having too much clothing behind you is to have a coat that is made up of a thinner but warm material like a thermal fleece. The back of your new coat can also be cut higher than the front, meaning that when you sit down there is going to be less material behind you. The coat can also be cut to fit much closer in back, also eliminating that extra material.
These are just a few ways that you can get clothing that fits you and looks good on you while you are using a wheelchair. Having to start using a wheelchair doesn't mean that you have to give up wearing fashionable or comfortable clothes.
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7 January 2015
One day I was playing a game of basketball with a friend, and the friend I was playing ball with tripped and took a hard fall to the ground. He hit his head hard, but he insisted he was okay and just wanted to go home and take a nap. I knew in my heart that he was not thinking clearly, and I didn't feel right letting him go home. I talked him into letting me take him to the hospital, and after some tests, it was determined he had a bad concussion. The doctors told me that if I had let him go home and sleep, things could have taken a turn for the worse. I created this blog to remind everyone to look out for each other after injuries. Not everyone thinks clearly after a head injury, and just being a good friend could save a life.