Clothing choice for people with disabilities

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Clothing choice for people with disabilities

Nicole D

Veteran

Found this link to a story about a woman who designs "special clothes for special people".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....edlinkusao

What do you think? I had no idea that it was a challenge to find a good fit for a person with Downs syndrome. But there are a lot of medical conditions that affect body habitus and clothing choice.

12 years ago

Dressing

14 replies

Latest reply was from Lyn D.

Jules

Veteran

I think it's great! A local mom designs & sells hoodies etc that come with epipen pockets. Great idea but probably not practical to own one for every day.
Another friend sews for her DD who is a little person, but unusually big around the middle (probably for medical reasons that are still being investigated). She likes to sew and makes beautiful things, but I know of other parents who were forced to learn, making mods to regular store bought clothes out of pure necessity.

12 years ago

NDMom

Active Member

I have three children with Down syndrome....Grace is our bio child (13), Bella adopted from Ukraine (8)' and Nole' (6) adopted from Serbia.

Yes, it is difficult to find clothing that fits, especially for our 13 year old. So, I appreciate that someone is providing options to not only fit people with Down syndrome....but also makes it easier to get dressed.

That said, I would not purchase these because my Grace is a fashionista and wants to dress just like her friends. I.e. Uggs, Buckle jeans, fun tops. It just takes me longer to find items that fit her poochy tummy and short arms. Thankfully, Buckle, hems for free (we need to cut off several inches) and 3/4 sleeves end up being the right length for long sleeves.

Another big issue we deal with....along with many other families with kiddos with special needs, is texture and other clothing sensitivities.

All in all, it takes work....but these three blessings make it totally worth it! Here is a pic of our little family.....

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12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think it's a wonderful idea.

12 years ago

AndiB

Veteran

I saw this on huffpost too! i have a 15 year with Down syndrome and followed that link immediately! I'm actually going to try one of the jeans I think. Kohls angel brand jeans (and yes my teenager want to dress like her sisters!) are the only jeans we find that work (low rise to accommodate her tummy and very stretchy) though there's not much else I'd get from kohls... The shirts on the web page i agree are frumpy and that is the look we are always fighting...

12 years ago

Debbie

Veteran

I also think it is a wonderful idea.
My youngest has cerebral palsy. I used to sew for her when she was younger. Now the tailor and alterations at Nordstroms are our best friend.
Shoe's are our biggest problem.

ND Mom check our Delia's for your 13 year old. I had some success there.

12 years ago

MRL

Veteran

I love this idea. Yes there are a number of medical conditions which make dressing in "regular" clothing difficult. Anyone with limited use of their hands could benefit from the jeans/pants options that do not have zippers/buttons to manipulate. I hope that this catches on!

12 years ago

April

Veteran

My dear late mother-in-law had a nasty form of dementia and became quite combative in her last year, especially when the aides tried to dress her in the mornings. It was much easier if they didn't have to feed her arms into long sleeves, so I found a company that specializes in garments that make this easier: knit tops that slip on and tie or snap in back, cape-style sweaters, anything so she didn't have to be wrestled into a tricky garment.

Finding them was a lifesaver. Thank goodness smart people are thinking about the dressing issues of people with special needs!

12 years ago

Nicole D

Veteran

Andi, Debbie, ND Mom and April, thanks for sharing your experiences. ND Mom, your family is beautiful!
April, I work with seniors with dementia and I have heard from them and from caregivers as well that shopping can be so exhausting, with inaccessible changerooms, overwhelming shop floors etc. I hope retailers are recognizing the importance that their shops need to be accessible and offering products that accommodate different needs may be worth their while.
I want to shop and enjoy fashion no matter what happens with my medical status in the future!

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wonderful. How heartwarming. The link and your comments.

12 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That's great. I'm a type 1 diabetic and when I was using an insulin pump, I was constantly lamenting the lack of an accessible place to put it. I ended up a lot sticking it in my bra. Dresses are a particular challenge. There are a few people who make things with special pockets and so forth for pump wearers, but still hard to pull the darn thing in and out.

12 years ago

NDMom

Active Member

What a nice thread to read! So encouraging to find others who have loved ones with special needs, (or themselves) and also love fashion as a hobby.

andiB.....I am definitely checking out those jeans from Kohl's for my daughter. So glad to "meet' another mom with a kiddo w/Ds.

Debbie....Thanks, too, for the tip of checking out Delia's.

Thanks for starting this thread, Nicole D!

12 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Necessity is truly the mother of invention. What a wonderful story and mission to help others have pride and confidence in themselves. Thanks so much Nicole for sharing the link.

12 years ago

minime

Active Member

This is a topic I can relate too.I have a Genetic connective tissue disease which has given me a very twisted and rotated spine.I refuse to let it beat me,and as it progresses will always try to still dress in my own version of chic! Thanks Nicole for the link,it makes one aware that there are so many other peoples with disabilities that struggle with this.

12 years ago

Lyn D.

Veteran

(What a beautiful family NDMom)
I always felt a little sad for some special-needs kids wearing clothing picked by well-intentioned parents, but hopelessly old-fashioned.
This is a great idea!

12 years ago

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