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Clothing

Determined2Heal Tips:

Click Here — Learn more about clothing and watch thousands of SCI videos on SPINALpedia!

Click Here — Check out our Wheelchair Fashion Pinterest board

Click Here — Check out our Adapted Hair & Makeup Pinterest board

  • Develop your dressing regiment with your occupational therapist

  • Soft and comfortable fabric is best for the skin

  • Be careful of tight clothing, loose clothing is recommended

  • Be careful of clothing wrinkles that are formed on your back and under where you’re sitting, these wrinkles can lead to pressure sores

  • Dress appropriately for the weather:

    • Hot weather – wear clothing that can breathe, clothing that is very light weight usually breathes easier than heavy clothing

    • Mild weather – wear clothing that is comfortable

    • Cold weather – wear clothing that is heavy or thick to keep the body warm, wear layers, but being mindful of wrinkles

    • Wet weather – do not let your clothing or wheelchair get wet, wet clothing can cause skin complications. Stay out of wet weather, but if it is unavoidable, protect yourself with a large umbrella

If you’d like to purchase and learn more about clothing designed for people in wheelchairs click here

Clothing

Shirts

When wearing shirts make sure they are tucked down in the back and on the sides so that there are no wrinkles.  Wrinkles can cause skin complications which can result in pressure sores and autonomic dysreflexia.

Sweaters

When wearing sweaters make sure they are tucked down in the back and on the sides so that there are no wrinkles.  Wrinkles can cause skin complications which can result in pressure sores and autonomic dysreflexia.  I have found sweaters to be more comfortable than jackets.  They conform to the body a lot easier than jackets because they do not have top to bottom zippers.

Jackets

When wearing shirts make sure they are tucked down in the back and on the sides so that there are no wrinkles.  Wrinkles can cause skin complications which can result in pressure sores and autonomic dysreflexia.  I found jackets to be more difficult to wear because there’s not much elasticity.  The zipper also gets in the way and does not allow it to conform to the body while in the sitting position.

Pants

Having to be in a sitting position at all times is not how pants are designed.  Because of this we either have to buy our pants two or four sizes bigger or not buckle the pants at all.  I tend to do both because the seat belt and shirt bottom will hide both the button and unzipped zipper.  The pants should also be two to four sizes longer because the knees are bent when sitting in the wheelchair.There are specially designed pants out on the market for people in wheelchairs.  Click here to learn more

Underwear

When wearing underwear, you need to be extra careful because the underwear can not be seen or felt because it’s underneath the pants.  You need to make sure that the underwear is not wrinkled.  Pull down the underwear so there is no wedgy.  Double check after getting in the wheelchair.  Wedgies can cause skin complications and result in pressure sores and autonomic dysreflexia.

T.E.D.TM Knee Length Anti-embolism Stockings

T.E.D Thigh Length Anti-embolism Stockings

Shoes

Buy your shoes one to two sizes bigger than your actual foot size.  This will help to prevent pressure sores on the feet.  Also, use shoe stretchers at night to keep the shoes loose fitting.  At the bottom of the page, there is a link to buy shoe stretchers.

Two-Way Shoe Stretcher

A shoe stretcher is a very important product when it comes to shoe maintenance.  This product stretches shoes in multiple directions.  A stretched shoe is less likely to cause skin complications. Shoes that are too tight can cause pressure sores.

Accessories:

Traveling Umbrella

It’s good to always keep a traveling umbrella in your backpack or hanging on the back of your wheelchair.

Traveling Poncho

Buy a traveling poncho and keep it in your backpack or car.

Jumbo Umbrella

Jumbo size umbrellas are perfect for people in wheelchairs because it gives the person holding the umbrella the ability to cover them self and the person in the wheelchair while moving.

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