When I choose an outfit, I want it to work for my day–not the other way around. As a quadriplegic, being comfortable and ease of dressing matter to me. But so does having a say of how I look. My clothes are part of my everyday life and my personal style, not just a practical problem to solve.
Pre-injury, I was a blue jeans and T-shirt/sweatshirt guy. I dressed business casual for work. I liked outdoorsy outfits. I wore polyester hiking pants or shorts during the warmer months.
For the first couple of years after my injury, I primarily dressed in sweatpants. It was comfortable and easy for care staff to dress me. Is I reintegrated back into the community more, I decided to stop looking like a couch potato. I swung back to the style of dress prior injury.
I’m not able to move well because of my tone and spasticity. Maneuvering my arms is difficult. I’m what you consider a maximum assist, which means that staff must do most of the work dressing me.
Balancing practicality along with my personal style is important to me. When shopping, I pay attention to material along with fit and style.
Most of my old clothes prior to injury were not practical because of limited movement of my limbs and change in body structure. I had lost a significant amount of weight the first couple of years after my injury. Then my colon started malfunctioning and I bloated and weight by 30 pounds. Then I dropped 30 pounds after my ileostomy surgery.
A comfortable outfit means wearing clothing with stretch material such as polyester. I size up with cotton shirts because they don’t stretch as much and are difficult to dress in without bending me like a pretzel.
Polyester and spandex are wonderful because they stretch easier and draw moisture away from the body. This is especially important for people in wheelchairs. Moisture buildup can break down the skin creating pressure ulcers. A piece can look great, but if it does not work for my body in my routine, it is not the right piece for me.
Call me fussy, but practicality alone is not fully satisfying. I still have a sense of style despite my disability. I want to display this when I’m in public.
Features such as wider leg openings to accommodate my leg bag, adjustable fits (stretchable waistbands), and accessible fastenings are options. I can consider what matters is whether they work for me.
In the warmer months, my own go to feature is polyester hiking/golf pants or shorts which helps my care staff dress me. I usually pair this with a polyester T-shirt or polo shirt. I’ll also wear a thin polyester quarter zip pullover because my body does not hold heat like it used to.
I wear casual shoes or sneakers with a wide toe box to prevent pressure sores on my feet.
I will wear cotton pants and tops in the colder months. I layer up with a long sleeve T-shirt to go under a quarter zip fleece or cotton pullover.
My daily dressing my routine is more time-consuming since my injury. I used to be able to hop out of bed take a quick shower, dress, and be out the door within a half an hour. Now it takes me about an hour and a half (I now take showers in the evening) to complete my morning routine and have breakfast.
Before choosing clothes, I think about what the weather forecast is for the day and whether I have any appointments. Pain is spasticity also influences how I might dress, along with any scheduled therapies.
I’m much higher maintenance nowadays and I’ve learned to accept that. I’ve also had to learn to accept help and not feel guilty about it.
Comfort and easy dressing are not reasons to give up personal style. They are part of what makes an outfit fits my personality, which is clean and casual.
Either way, the choice is mine. I want clothes that make room for my comfort, my routine, and my personality. Getting dressed my way means all three belong.
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