Adaptive Clothing for Young People with Disabilities

We all come in different shapes and sizes. We don’t all conform to standard, off the peg sizes in terms of clothing but generally we are able to find what fits and suits our needs. However, many disabled people, like James, have very specific and individual requirements clothing wise. Sometimes this may be a size issue or needing access to incontinence pads or it could be due to a medical need like needing an entry to a gastrostomy button. 

When James was born he was tiny and only just over 4lb in weight when he came home from hospital. Twenty-six years ago premature baby clothes were much less readily available than they are now. Readers of a certain age will remember when we had ‘Mothercare’ on our highstreets and that was the place to go for all your baby requirements including small clothes.

 

James first Babygro measures just 38cm from top to toe and was still too big for him.     

James was always going to be small. Growth retardation is a specific characteristic of his syndrome. In the early years it was simply a case of buying clothes for a younger child then he actually was. My first specific issue was when he had his gastrostomy button fitted. It wasn’t a problem during the day as his button wasn’t used then, but at night time we needed regular access to it. By the time he was 2 years old he was connected up to a pump at night for a continuous feed and so the tubing had to go from his tummy to his pump whilst he needed to be wrapped up snuggly for sleeping.

Fortunately for me, I had previously learnt to sew and make a few of my own clothes, curtains etc. so I was able to alter James’ popper-up vests and pyjamas to accommodate his button and pump. I did this for many years.

Specialist adaptive clothing was not easy to find in the late 1990s and it wasn’t until I had the internet at home around 2003 that I was able to search online and see what was available. It was some time after that I first bought all in one vests from a company called Racketys. I still buy them now for James to wear at night-time. They have peg tube access and popper up underneath for pad changing too. They start at size 5-6 yrs and go up to 2XL. In the time that I have been using them, Rackety’s have hugely expanded their range of designs and colours and also now do many other items of clothing.

In terms of daytime clothes James didn’t need anything too specific but sizing was an issue and still is. When fully grown he only reached 138cm in height and his weight fluctuates around the 38kg mark. He still only wears a child’s size 13 shoe. He is, however, relatively in proportion and has a small head and hands too. 

I can pretty much buy normal tops just in smaller sizes. I am always aware, though, of not buying things that look too young for his age so I often opt for sporting brands which are worn by all age groups. Trousers are a much bigger issue.  Even now his tracksuit bottoms are only aged 7-8 yrs. Also, because they need to accommodate a pad, it’s a struggle to get the right fit. Trousers with a fly and button just don’t sit right so I always go for elasticated waists. He is also able to independently take these off which he wouldn’t be able to a button up trouser. Trousers also have to be deep enough from the crotch seam to the waistband to allow for the extra bulk of a pad (I permanently have a measuring tape in my bag and James’ measurements with me so I can check out anything I see that might be suitable). Then there’s the length. James has short little legs so all trousers need to be shortened which often means taking in the legs too as otherwise they look too wide and just odd. This means I can’t buy trousers which have side zips, pockets or extra detailing on the legs so buying suitable trousers can be difficult.

The only other things I can recall having to buy from specialised companies are a waterproof wheelchair cover, larger than normal sized bibs, and gloves. James has always been awful for wearing gloves, he never liked them. Still doesn’t. Any parent of a toddler will know what a struggle it is to get your little ones fingers into the fingers of gloves when they are not cooperating. Several years ago I bought James some mittens from a company called ‘Seenin.’ The helpful thing with these mittens is that they have a velcro opening along the side making them easy to get on. They also have a Velcro strap around the wrist to keep them on. I also bought some large towelling bibs from Seenin.

If you search online there are now a great deal more companies offering a wide range of adaptive clothing. I can’t personally vouch for them as I’ve not used any others than the ones I have named. Some will also make items to size for your specific requirements but you will pay a premium for this service. Whilst I appreciate the extra work that goes into producing specialised clothing it frustrates me hugely that again disabled people seem to be penalised for needs which are out of their control. Many are I’m sure very good quality but then if you are paying £16 for one vest, you expect them to last. I can say that those I have had from Rackety’s have been going strong for a good few years now.

If you, someone in your family, or maybe a friend can sew then you may be able to benefit from their skills. But with so much availability now I would definitely say to shop around. We would love to hear any recommendations you have to share with others in a similar situation.      

ourlearningdisabilitiesblog.co.uk is not associated or affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in this blog. Any opinions expressed are our own based on personal experience.