Staying Warm While Staying Chic
By Crawford, Wendy; PN: Paraplegia News, Vol. 63, No. 12, pp. 64-65Publication Date: December 2009
Article discusses outerwear that women with paraplegia who use wheelchairs can use to keep warm in winter. To conserve body heat, knit caps and Russian fur hats with ear flaps and a back that covers the neck are recommended. A vest with a wool sweater or fleece top underneath is preferred over bulky winter jackets. Leg warmers worn under pants have the advantage over nylons or long johns of not having to be removed when going to the bathroom. Ugg boots, which are suede on the outside and fleece lined on the inside, work well for wheelchair users because they are lightweight and come up high to keep calves warm. Wheelchair users with limited hand function are advised to try mittens that use hook and loop closures or tie at the wrist to stay on. Also suggested is the use of cylindrically shaped hand muffs made of fur that can be kept on the wearer's lap to easily slip hands in and out. Finally, disposable heat packs, found in ski shops and outdoor gear stores, can be put inside clothing and mittens to provide several hours of extra warmth. The article is included in a special section of the issue on clothing for wheelchair users which also features a resource list of adaptive clothing providers.
Published by: PVA Publications (Website:http://www.pvamagazines.com)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (Web Site: http://www.pva.org )
