Sewing for Special Needs: Adaptive Clothing Fits When Regular Garb Doesn’t
By Tobin, Anne-Marie; Winnipeg Free Press,Publication Date: February 7, 2011
Article features Canadian companies that make clothing for individuals with special needs. (1) Fashion for Special Needs, which specializes in clothing for nursing home residents, makes sleepwear, blouses and pants that open in the back to facilitate dressing patients with dementia who can no longer dress themselves. Also available are wheelchair ponchos which a short back and a long front panel. (2) An overcoat named the SleeveGripper, developed by a biomedical engineer, is being tested by clients at Toronto Rehab who have difficulty putting their second arm into the coat sleeve due to arthritis or hemiplegia from stroke. The prototype features a flap of fabric on the side of the coat neckline to grab onto for added leverage and also includes padding for the hips to prevent injury in the event of a fall. (3) Mini-Miracles Adaptive Children’s Clothing located in Victoria, British Columbia, makes customized clothing with tube pockets for children who use feeding tubes and, for children with autism, one piece pajamas and body suits with access in the back and hidden zippers to prevent those children from tearing off their diapers. Contact information for the adaptive clothing companies is included in the article.
Published by: FP Canadian Newspapers L.P.
Link to text: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/life/health/sewing-for-special-needs-adaptive-clothing-fits-when-regular-garb-doesnt-115482879.html
