Judy: Appendix V., d.

6. Nightgowns - Although not to be worn in a wheelchair, we have found hospital type gowns to be a great aid to night time comfort. Sold by this name in most department stores, they are made with a full back opening, have a tie string closing and come in many pretty styles, color and materials. Also very satisfactory is a regular nightgown, again a size larger, split up the back and bound same as for the dress.
7. Underclothing - To eliminate the possibility of binding or twisting when wearing both panties and a slip, we have found the happy compromise of a "panti-slip." These serve the purpose of panties but have an above-the-knee, wide, lace trimmed leg which looks like a slip if seen under the hem of a skirt. The ones we have found are put out by Olga, who also makes a matching camasole which gives a finished look when worn under transparent clothing.

(This concludes Judy's narrative.)

Judy: Appendix V., c.

4. Poncho - Because a coat may be too bulky or cumbersome to arrange in public, we have found a poncho to be a very suitable alternative. Mine is really nothing more than a large square of closely woven, light-weight wool (such as a stadium blanket) with a jacket type zipper up the front and a draw-string hood. It goes on easily as a cape, allows maximum arm motion and when I arrive indoors, it can be unzipped and folded over the back of the wheelchair without my having to move. (See Appendix I, drawing 8)
5. Shoes - Because of poor muscle tone in my legs, any days my feet sweet making it difficult or even impossible to wear stiff "people" shoes. The solution we found to this problem is a soft, foldable travel shoe, about one size larger. They come in many styles and colors, so they look good while preventing the feet from getting pressure marks.

Judy: Appendix V, a.

Clothing

The following are some suggestions for purchase and adaptations which we have found successful for comfortable and attractive wheelchair attire.

1. Dresses - These are purchased or made at least one size larger than my former size to allow freedom for shoulder movement and room for the bulky brace. I avoid fitted clothing and dresses with a waistline. All my dresses are split up the back (bound and reinforced), from the hem to approximately the waist level. This allows graceful draping and arranging for wheelchair sitting. (While this procedure works fine for me because I do not leave my wheelchair, it wold be unsatisfactory for someone who transfers from the chair in public.)

2. Blouses and tops - Knit tops, jerseys and sweaters seem to fit, look and feel better than regular cloth blouses. Because of developed shoulder and arm muscles along with loss of muscle tone elsewhere, I find a size larger than normal to be more comfortable.