Arthritis

Getting dressed is not a problem for everyone with arthritis, but if your arthritis is not as severe as it could be, small changes may have to be made in the way you dress.

Here are a few tips to follow to make those changes smooth and easy.

First, analyse which joints cause you the most difficulty with dressing, especially in the morning, don't forget that stiffness from arthritis may take over an hour to pass 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.

Next, decide if an easy adaptation will fix the problem, try sitting on the bed to put on your socks and shoes if your hips and knees are stiff in the morning, furthermore, a problem (for women) is that putting on your bra may be difficult if your shoulders are too stiff for you to reach around behind your back and hook your bra, in this case, place your bra behind your back, hook it in front, then slide it around and place your arms in the straps.

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

If your arthritis is a little more severe in the morning, you may have to buy different types of clothing, if lifting your arms causes problems then think about buying front closing shirts or blouses, your fingers may give you problems in the morning, so avoid clothing with small buttons or hooks

If back or hip pain makes bending painful, wear slip on shoes with Velcro closures, you don't have to buy special clothes, adaptive devices, that have been around for years can make dressing much easier

Before the Internet came along, an occupational therapist would have to assist you in buying this type of equipment, but now anybody can buy these devices directly

Dozens of these devices are now available that can help almost any type of problem, a good source for all adaptive devices and clothing for arthritis is able2wear.co.uk

Clothing for Disabled

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

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

Having such a positive attitude has helped me to live to its full potential. I have not let the disability stop me from living.

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 say that I have suddenly developed a more confident attitude as an adult, that would be lying.

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.

My goal was to wear a dress for the wedding. To be a pretty bride instead of someone who hid behind baggy shirts.

The dress fitters were wonderful. They taught me about my figure and showed me how the baggy clothes were hanging off the bits of my body I hated, I was drawing attention to them.

I fulfilled my dream and wore a wedding dress.

Since my wedding I have changed the way I shop for clothes. I now buy clothes that fit my figure instead of hiding it.

It has made me think about adapted clothing for disabled people so I am on the look out for new knowledge and contacts.

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.

In my next post I will look at types of disabled clothing available online.