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Belts
Written by Sean on Thursday, March 11, 2010
About 15 years ago, I stopped wearing belts. This morning, I remembered why!
As you may have gathered from some of my posts in the last couple years, I’ve gained some weight. Nothing too bad. Went from being underweight to being slightly overweight. In and of itself, the weight doesn’t bother me. Except that I had no more decent pants I fit in, other than my sweatpants!
I recently purchased a couple pairs of pants that fit me. The problem is, they fit me fine when I’m in the wheelchair. But when I get out of the chair, they are too big. Too long in the leg, and a bit too wide at the waist. Not a real problem, as I only walk some at home. But if I’m wearing those pants at home, well, I need to hold them up!
So I grabbed a belt this morning. Put it on my pants. And within about ten minutes was reminded what the problem was.
The belt, naturally, goes around my waist. It is at just the exact height of the end of my backrest. My lower back leans into the back rest quite strongly, as it is what supports me upright. The thickness of the belt, albeit only a fraction of an inch thick, is enough to dig into my lower back. 10 minutes makes it uncomfortable. 30 minutes makes it painful. Longer than that, I risk skin breakdown.
Soooo, no belt for me!
This is one of the small details of living in a chair that they don’t tell you about, isn’t it? :)
Tags: BIID, Pressure Sore, Skin Breakdown, Wheelchair
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11 Comments
I usually wear my Levi’s regardless- I live in them, and I manage to get my metal KAFOs over them with only a little difficulty.
BUT: has anyone tried wheelchair clothing? Check out the websites for them:
http://www.wheelchairjeans.com
http://www.Silverts.com
http://www.anitavee.com/pants.html
You clearly need women’s pants, Sean. They generally have a smaller waist and shorter leg. With your feminine hip to waist ratio you will find they will stay up without a belt.
None of my pants accommodate the bail locks on my KAFOs, so I have become a full time skirt wearer (except for skiing). My favorite skirts, such as I am wearing today, are loose fitting with a gently elasticated waist. It is also definitely easier to put on a skirt if you are paralysed. This option should work for you too, Sean.
@Chloe, I have found an easy way around the pants situation other than wearing skirts. Make sure you buy a wider-leg pant (check out Lands End) and then fine a nice tailor who will install long zips in the inseam. The zippers are hard to find but I’ve been going through A. Feibusch for years and they’re great. Email if you need more details.
7 On 11 March, 2010, Sean said:
@Mark, I know very few people who actually will wear braces over pants, especially jeans. Partly it’s because of the look, and partly it’s because the garment’s seams can rub against the skin and cause skin breakdowns (not to mention being very painful if you have feeling in your legs)
@Chloe, I just don’t think I would get away with wearing skirts at work, much as I’d find them more comfortable. And kilt isn’t quite right either ;)
@Ada, sash might be a bit overdressed, and not hold pants quite right ;)
8 On 11 March, 2010, Sean said:
@Sylvie, when are you gracing us with your next post? :)
9 On 12 March, 2010, Phil said:
Given what is fashionable at the moment, pants never can be too long or too wide…
All these problems show me just how right I am to prefer having amputated my legs.
;-)
@Sean:
OOPS- I meant to say that I get my Levi’s over my KAFOs with little difficulty… For the discrete look as well as the rubbing bit as you have pointed out. Sorry for the hasty and unproofread post! I have boots mounted on the braces- the only problem- I have to dismount the stirrup to change pants.
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1 On 11 March, 2010, Sophie said:
I stopped wearing jeans ages ago because the zip and dome dug into me.