Arthritis

Not everyone with arthritis has problems getting dressed, although some changes may have to be made in the way you dress even if your arthritis is not that severe, so here are a few tips to follow that can make those changes smooth and easy.

Firstly, attempt to analyse which joints are causing you the most difficulty when dressing, especially in the morning, arthritis stiffness can take over an hour to go away after you get out of bed and you don't want to wait that long to get dressed.

Adapting how you get dressed to work around those joints will ensure you don't get thrown off schedule, if you have problems putting on your socks and shoes in the morning, try sitting on the bed to do it.

A further problem (for women) is that your shoulders may be too stiff for you to reach around behind your back and hook your bra, in this case, you can place the bra behind your back and hook it in front, then slide it around and you can place your arms in the straps

These simple adaptations are just two examples you can do at home with the clothes you have

If in the morning your stiffness is a little more severe, you may have to purchase different types of clothing, front closing shirts or blouses would be more suitable if due to shoulder stiffness you find it difficult to lift your arms, your fingers may give you problems in the morning, so avoid clothing with small buttons or hooks

If bending gives you a hard time then try to wear slip on shoes with Velcro straps and avoid wearing heels

Adaptive devices can also make dressing easier without having to buy special clothing. These have been around for many years, it used to be that you could only buy this equipment with the assistance of an occupational therapist but that was before the Internet, but now anybody can buy these devices directly

Dozens of devices are easily available that can help just about any problem,
adaptive devices and clothing for arthritis is available at able2wear.co.uk

Clothing for the Disabled

Yet again I have spent the morning searching online for some insight and assistance.

Having been diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of two. I have a severe curvature of the spine and kyphosis.

My attitude has always been very positive. I have not let the disability keep me from living life to its full potential.

One of the biggest issues I faced growing up, believe it or not was clothing. Being a typical girly girl, I wanted to wear all the garments my friends were wearing.

Instead of the dresses and fitted tops I would wear baggy jumpers twice my size.

I had the attitude that I needed to hide my disability behind clothing.

I am not going to waffle on about how much my attitude has changed now that I am an adult. This would be a lie.

But one thing I have learnt is that attempting to hide a physical disability can actually make it stand out.

When I was getting married for the second time, I came to realise so much about my body, this is when things changed for me.

I wanted to wear a dress for my wedding. Too look a pretty bride instead of someone hiding behind baggy shirts.

My dress makers were wonderful. They showed me how the baggy clothes I was wearing were actually emphasizing the bits of my body I disliked.

I wore my wedding dress and my mother cried (believe me this was an achievement).

Since that day I have changed the way I shop for clothes. Instead of buying clothes that hide my body, I buy clothing that fit my body.

I have been thinking lots about adaptive clothing for disabled people. I am in search of information and guidance.

I will keep updating this blog as and when I find new information. Hopefully it might help someone who is looking for help.

I will soon have lots of information and product recommendations for all different types of disabilities.

Life can be very tough and we could all do with little things that make our days easier.

I will look at types of disabled clothing available on the Internet in my next post.