Adaptive Clothing: Look good while feeling comfortable. The easy way to dress for ALS!

 

CLOTHING ISSUES: As you lose the ability to dress yourself, adaptive clothing becomes a necessity. You can spend $30 to $60 per shirt or 1 pair of pants, or take what you have and do it yourself! Actually if you can do it, you don't need to modify yet.

 

Now remember:  I'm usually in bed, hanging in a hoyer type sling or in my wheelchair so my back is seldom exposed. Anyway, cut shirts up the middle back. Leave a couple of inches at the top. They can be slipped over your head, but don't need to go under the back, just tuck around and wallah, it looks normal. Dress shirts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, polos,  even sport coats. I know, I've worn them all this way.

 

Some t-shirts and sweatshirts I sliced all the way to avoid sliding over head. It's just easier. You can add velcro to close the top, and/or sew edges so they don't tear or fray. You can do the same for pants.

 

For pants or shorts, slice the back just under the pockets or butt, side to side from leg outer seam to outer seam. Then slice down the middle back of the pants from the waist, perpendicular to meet your cross cut. The pants will peel open. Just slide up over the legs, like leggings, tuck in the sides and again you look normal.

 

I don't bother with underwear- too hard and unnecessary. I also wear kilts and skirts as access to urination is easier. With pants, don't pull down, the urinal fits in right under the sliced crotch. Cool huh?

 

I wear socks and Teva type sandals.They're easier to get onto the feet, especially if your toes, like mine, catch and bend easily. In summer, I wear as little clothing as possible.

 

Try this site for ideas, or examples. It offers many subsites to explore. But I caution you, USE IT FOR IDEAS, THEN ADAPT WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE DISEASE. SAVE WHERE YOU CAN.

 

http://www.easyaccessclothing.com/

 

http://www.makoa.org/clothing.htm