[itsjustme]

Quote

OMG who get frustrated trying to keep their nails looking even 1/2 way descent?

I'm not saying that your nails will hold up to the abuse of spokes but Sally Hansen Diamond Strength nail polish is the best one that I've found to date. It's the one with the little rhinestone on the bottle. It stays put without chipping for at least a week for me.

[T-Crip]

Ches, on Aug 28 2007, 04:35 AM, said:

Pressure sores would not be fun that is for sure. I am pretty good about shifting though, and since the day I woke up I could feel pressure in my ass. Sores havent been a real issue, yet. I do worry about my foot dropping though. That would be a bummer. I dont really have anywhere to go lately other than my 10 hrs of therapy a week. So no reason to wear them but maybe I'll start out small, like dinner.

As for crossing my legs.. yeah right. I didnt do that before the accident. Although I do cross them sometimes when Im on the couch just to make my friends laugh.

Ok I have another clothes related question, I'm still learning all these new paralyzed ninja skills. I'm wondering how you people get dressed after the shower. I mean I know how to get dressed, but I have to go back to my room and get on my bed. I dont always wanna have to transfer back and forth, ya know. I cant raise up enough out of my chair to get pants on while I sit. I have a Quickie GT and the armrest arent really that secure. Is there a trick to it? Should I be gettin dressed on bath bench, maybe? Is it one of those great Ninja skills I will aquire with time?

The way I understand it is if you make sure you stretch everyday you shouldn't get foot drop no matter what you wear.

And I sometimes will just sit on the toilet and get dressed. I am used to pulling my pants or shorts up there so it's familiar and easy. And if I have like jeans on I just pull them up the ret of the way when I transfer back into my chair. I kinda slouch down ya know like slide my butt down to almost the edge of the chair and lean back and pull them the rest of the way up. That's what works for me anyway. Or make the transfer to the wheelchair and then lean side to side and pull em up. But no matter what you are gonna find what works best for you and your situation.

I know what you are all saying about the clothes!! Man! It is tough knowin just the right thing to buy! I love the long shorts in style now! And the like capri or long short light weight or light sweat material ones for around the house. Soooooo comfy!! I usually buy a lot of T-Shirts but man am I getting tired of those! Io wanna look nice sometimes ya know? I like 'em a little longer and a little bigger around the waist. I TOO have the "I just ate and I look like I gained 10 pounds" problem!! Big shirts help that they look decent and are comfy!

[gsp23]

Well I can definatly say that I have never been a stylish person when it comes to shoes. I have a pair of tennis shoes, boots or high tops, a pair of sandles, dress sandles and dress shoes... thats it. All flats as I never liked heels. Now I normally wear my hightops or boots as I walk around my house with sticks and the hightops helps with ankle support and control so I dont trip on everything including the ground and my own feet.

As far as how I dress I cant wear jeans cause I have problems transfering without the slipper material of wind/track pants. If I am not going anywhere then I can do regular transfers with a little extra effort but I cant get into my vehicle unless I have the slippery material as I have a 4x4 pickup and I pull myself up by the oh $hit handle and there is too much friction of my pants rubbing on the seat when trying to get up. My boyfriend also has a pickup truck so transfering into his truck is difficult as well unless I can slide up easier when pulling myself across his seat (he doesnt have oh $hit handles and his sits lower so I have to kinda shimmy myself in and across the seat with whatever I can grab.

I like to wear tank tops and cute shirts though so I still can wear them, just need to make sure they arent too long so they get in the way for truck transfers. So I figure my compromise of wearing wind/track pants with cute shirts is a good one. I used to love my blue jeans but unfortunatly on most days thats a thing of the past, unless some designer decides to start putting some type of slippery material on the back of the legs, even cordura I think would work but as of now not doable for me.

As far as dressing after the shower... my shower bench comes close enought to my toilet seat so when I am done in the shower I transfer over to my toilet and I get dressed there. I just do the back and forth pulling the pants up like other people have described, havent gotten dressed in bed since rehab and they told me they didnt want to see me doing that and made me sit up and struggle through getting dressed with my legs off the side of the bed. At the time, I was pissed about it and hated them for it cause it was easier a different way but now looking back I guess they knew what they were doing

[KarenFerguson]

Ches, on Aug 26 2007, 06:43 PM, said:

I know I cant be alone here, all girls love clothes and dressing pretty. I miss wear high heels the most. I have a shoe fetish like mad. How did you ladies deal with this? I mean I could wear my heels but Im thinking the heel will just fall off the back of my foot rest? So I guess wedges or flats huh? I cant stand the idea of never wearing them again.. Am I thinking too much into it here?

I know what you mean. I've had a variety of foot rests and right now I like the one that's on my Quickie TI. Basic, flat and good for heels. I have tiny feet (size 6) so that might have something to do with my heels staying in place. But really, I'm all about ballet flats and flip flops (however a flip flop can be tricky). Sometimes I'll loose one in a transfer, but I'm been speedy at replacing a shoe with out many people noticing. Just have to keep my toes manicured and painted - they are always on display.

[lune14]

wheeliebear75, on Sep 4 2007, 05:25 PM, said:

Oh and ladies if anyone has a brand of nail polish they've found that can actually withstand the abuse of wheelchair and forearm crutch using.....please......please......let me know. LMAO

I have experimented with the new "Instant Manicure" strips that Avon sells now. No drying time as you just literally lay the dry strip over your nail and trim off the end. Easy, fast and they do NOT smudge. After I put mine on I intentionally dragged my nail over a screen door to see how durable it was... not a mark. As well after 10 days I HAD to remove it with polish remover as they never chipped on me and I wash my hands a thousand times a day. They make them for toenails now as well. Something to try maybe??

[mybrat]

How I miss all the cute clothes and shoes. I am post injury of 10 months and had to get rid of all of my jeans and short shirts for knit pants and longer shirts so that it was easier for me to get dressed in the bed.

I did get a new wardrobe, but now everytime I buy clothes I have pick the things that will be easy to get dressed in. Since I wear an AFO on my right foot and can walk using the cane, I only can wear my sneakers, so all clothes that I buy I have to make sure will look cute with those shoes. I am so glad to see that there are others that also go thru what I am going thru.

[Nichole]

lune14, on Sep 8 2007, 05:53 PM, said:

wheeliebear75, on Sep 4 2007, 05:25 PM, said:

Oh and ladies if anyone has a brand of nail polish they've found that can actually withstand the abuse of wheelchair and forearm crutch using.....please......please......let me know. LMAO

I have experimented with the new "Instant Manicure" strips that Avon sells now. No drying time as you just literally lay the dry strip over your nail and trim off the end. Easy, fast and they do NOT smudge. After I put mine on I intentionally dragged my nail over a screen door to see how durable it was... not a mark. As well after 10 days I HAD to remove it with polish remover as they never chipped on me and I wash my hands a thousand times a day. They make them for toenails now as well. Something to try maybe??

YAY! Im so glad to hear that! Ive been wanting to try those, but i didn't know if they were as good as they say. I'm off to call my "avon lady" lol

[megatrig]

Hey us guys like to "look good" in what we wear too you know!

I haven't the problem of high heels though!! Well not that I've ever tried!!!

[Izziwhizzi]

megatrig, on Sep 13 2007, 12:27 PM, said:

Hey us guys like to "look good" in what we wear too you know!

I haven't the problem of high heels though!! Well not that I've ever tried!!!

What about fishnets?? lol!!

Think I've met you years ago btw - well maybe - did you used to have hair when you had wheels??

This post has been edited by Izziwhizzi: 13 September 2007 - 12:26 PM

[megatrig]

Izziwhizzi, on Sep 13 2007, 01:25 PM, said:

megatrig, on Sep 13 2007, 12:27 PM, said:

Hey us guys like to "look good" in what we wear too you know!

I haven't the problem of high heels though!! Well not that I've ever tried!!!

What about fishnets?? lol!!

Think I've met you years ago btw - well maybe - did you used to have hair when you had wheels??

WELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL.................. I'm off to a look alike party on Saturday so!!

Was thinking of..

Timmy! Southpark!

or Prof... from Rocky Horror!! .... So Shirt Tie Jacket ANNNNND Fishnets, stockings, high heels, etc all under a blanket!!

What about my day bag though hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[Ches]

Timmy is good. I think the best is Joe from family guy.. or just Christopher Reeves

[KimAndSophie]

T-Crip, on Sep 7 2007, 12:07 PM, said:

Ches, on Aug 28 2007, 04:35 AM, said:

Pressure sores would not be fun that is for sure. I am pretty good about shifting though, and since the day I woke up I could feel pressure in my ass. Sores havent been a real issue, yet. I do worry about my foot dropping though. That would be a bummer. I dont really have anywhere to go lately other than my 10 hrs of therapy a week. So no reason to wear them but maybe I'll start out small, like dinner.

As for crossing my legs.. yeah right. I didnt do that before the accident. Although I do cross them sometimes when Im on the couch just to make my friends laugh.

Ok I have another clothes related question, I'm still learning all these new paralyzed ninja skills. I'm wondering how you people get dressed after the shower. I mean I know how to get dressed, but I have to go back to my room and get on my bed. I dont always wanna have to transfer back and forth, ya know. I cant raise up enough out of my chair to get pants on while I sit. I have a Quickie GT and the armrest arent really that secure. Is there a trick to it? Should I be gettin dressed on bath bench, maybe? Is it one of those great Ninja skills I will aquire with time?

The way I understand it is if you make sure you stretch everyday you shouldn't get foot drop no matter what you wear.

And I sometimes will just sit on the toilet and get dressed. I am used to pulling my pants or shorts up there so it's familiar and easy. And if I have like jeans on I just pull them up the ret of the way when I transfer back into my chair. I kinda slouch down ya know like slide my butt down to almost the edge of the chair and lean back and pull them the rest of the way up. That's what works for me anyway. Or make the transfer to the wheelchair and then lean side to side and pull em up. But no matter what you are gonna find what works best for you and your situation.

I know what you are all saying about the clothes!! Man! It is tough knowin just the right thing to buy! I love the long shorts in style now! And the like capri or long short light weight or light sweat material ones for around the house. Soooooo comfy!! I usually buy a lot of T-Shirts but man am I getting tired of those! Io wanna look nice sometimes ya know? I like 'em a little longer and a little bigger around the waist. I TOO have the "I just ate and I look like I gained 10 pounds" problem!! Big shirts help that they look decent and are comfy!

I usually buy pants a size or two bigger than I need now. It helps when I'm getting dressed because they are easier to get on. LOL It's nice to knwo I'm not the only one to get dressed on the toilet sometimes!

[itsjustme]

Now what am I gonna do? Just this week I've noticed the end of both big toes red, and still red in the mornings after my shoes have been off all night.

I suppose that it is due to the fact that both of my big toes tend to curl upward and so I guess that creates pressure. I'm afraid that it will turn into pressure sores on the end of my toes.

Winter is coming. Am I going to have to give up shoes and boots?

[lune14]

itsjustme, on Sep 14 2007, 08:41 AM, said:

Now what am I gonna do? Just this week I've noticed the end of both big toes red, and still red in the mornings after my shoes have been off all night.

I suppose that it is due to the fact that both of my big toes tend to curl upward and so I guess that creates pressure. I'm afraid that it will turn into pressure sores on the end of my toes.

Winter is coming. Am I going to have to give up shoes and boots?

What about wide sized shoes and wider squared toe styles. I've begun wearing these (I am a 'Boot Goddess') and I find I get no pressure as I did when I wore more pointed styles. I have been buying a lot of my shoes/boots from Chadwick's of Boston. Most have zippers that run all the way down to the sole and I've purchased a lot of inexpensive suede/leather styles from them. Get on their email-mailing list ( paper catalogs) and they'll start sending you coupons for 30% off, etc.

[gsp23]

For shoes I have some lower ones as well but I often wear basketball shoes, they have a bit more room in them usually expecially if looking for some narrow mens styles. Sometimes they look way too masculine on the shelf but once on the feet they actually can look nice. I have some black mens basketball shoes that I got for dressup since I wear wind/track pants places then I could wear the black shoes with some solid black pants and a nice sweather if going somewhere nice and I also got them for hockey since there is otherwise nothing to protect the ankles if I got hit with a puck (not that it would hurt but dont want to break anything).

Anyways... for boots I wear Sketchers brand. I find that they are very roomy inside and they have many styles for women that are cute and modern as well.

[wheeliebear75]

Hey Karen I can one up you on the foot size......or is it one down? I wear size 5 or in a dress shoe 5-1/2.LMAO And thanks I'll have to try some of the Sally Hanson nail polish.......gets old having to redo the nails every 48hrs.LOL Hey I saw some really cute shirts that are FOR THE LADIES in chairs. Things like "Wheelie Sexy" written in pink. I saw them at cafepress.com under disability. If ever I get a service dog I want the one that's got a golden retriever service dog on it wearing headphones that reads "service dogs rock". If you're easily offended though......maybe not. There are some that although I and others may think are hilarious would offend someone else, like "Jesus Loves You! (apparently I pissed him off)" sure I can see the humor in it.......but I'm kinda twisted that way.

[gsp23]

wheeliebear75, on Sep 14 2007, 01:47 PM, said:

There are some that although I and others may think are hilarious would offend someone else, like "Jesus Loves You! (apparently I pissed him off)" sure I can see the humor in it.......but I'm kinda twisted that way.

I actually offended my own based on that and changed it to "God Loves You (Apparently I Pissed Him Off)" as I am muslim and dont believe in Jesus as being any more than a prophet, not the son of God. (I dont want to get into a religious debate here for the record). I have gottena lot of laughs while wearing that one. I also saw one that says "I may walk funny but you're ugly" that I thought was pretty good but I cant walk far enough to actually walk anywhere outside of my house. The other I wanted to get was "The back of this shirt is hilarious" and then on the back it says something like "If you can read this put me back in my chair". I saw that after telling my boyfriend how it sucks sometimes cause I have some shirts with writing on the back that nobody ever gets to see so I thought that shirt was pretty good.

[cdngrl]

way cool link

http://www.independe...s/introeng.html

[lune14]

cdngrl, on Sep 14 2007, 04:02 PM, said:

way cool link

http://www.independe...s/introeng.html

Thanks cdngrl, good link to have

[wheeliebear75]

Oooops OMG I'm so sorry! I didn't know it was an Apparelyzed shirt. My apologies Simon.

[T-Crip]

KimAndSophie, on Sep 13 2007, 09:32 PM, said:

T-Crip, on Sep 7 2007, 12:07 PM, said:

Ches, on Aug 28 2007, 04:35 AM, said:

Pressure sores would not be fun that is for sure. I am pretty good about shifting though, and since the day I woke up I could feel pressure in my ass. Sores havent been a real issue, yet. I do worry about my foot dropping though. That would be a bummer. I dont really have anywhere to go lately other than my 10 hrs of therapy a week. So no reason to wear them but maybe I'll start out small, like dinner.

As for crossing my legs.. yeah right. I didnt do that before the accident. Although I do cross them sometimes when Im on the couch just to make my friends laugh.

Ok I have another clothes related question, I'm still learning all these new paralyzed ninja skills. I'm wondering how you people get dressed after the shower. I mean I know how to get dressed, but I have to go back to my room and get on my bed. I dont always wanna have to transfer back and forth, ya know. I cant raise up enough out of my chair to get pants on while I sit. I have a Quickie GT and the armrest arent really that secure. Is there a trick to it? Should I be gettin dressed on bath bench, maybe? Is it one of those great Ninja skills I will aquire with time?

The way I understand it is if you make sure you stretch everyday you shouldn't get foot drop no matter what you wear.

And I sometimes will just sit on the toilet and get dressed. I am used to pulling my pants or shorts up there so it's familiar and easy. And if I have like jeans on I just pull them up the ret of the way when I transfer back into my chair. I kinda slouch down ya know like slide my butt down to almost the edge of the chair and lean back and pull them the rest of the way up. That's what works for me anyway. Or make the transfer to the wheelchair and then lean side to side and pull em up. But no matter what you are gonna find what works best for you and your situation.

I know what you are all saying about the clothes!! Man! It is tough knowin just the right thing to buy! I love the long shorts in style now! And the like capri or long short light weight or light sweat material ones for around the house. Soooooo comfy!! I usually buy a lot of T-Shirts but man am I getting tired of those! Io wanna look nice sometimes ya know? I like 'em a little longer and a little bigger around the waist. I TOO have the "I just ate and I look like I gained 10 pounds" problem!! Big shirts help that they look decent and are comfy!

I usually buy pants a size or two bigger than I need now. It helps when I'm getting dressed because they are easier to get on. LOL It's nice to knwo I'm not the only one to get dressed on the toilet sometimes!

Yeah I buy size 5 instead of 3 which is what I was wearing as an AB. The toilet is the first place I go in the morning ( no pun intended) and they preached to me in rehab about savin energy ya know? That'll save ya goin' back and forth. Kinda made it a part of my morning routine ya know? Oh! And the brand Rimmel polish seems to last aehile too and they have the 60 second speed dry which I love. I'm a big clutz and will mess my polish up before it dries!

[wheeliebear75]

I told my B/F about the polish that was recommended. He went out to Wall'Mart and got me 4 colors of it for me, so my B/F said he'll help me with it tomorrow. TY

[itsjustme]

Okay...I just found a shirt that I really love, love, love at Wal-Mart. It is a Riders (like the jeans) brand shirt so I don't know who else carries the Riders brand.

This shirt has a big sticker on it that says instantly slims you and it really does because it has princess seams so it's not just big and boxy and yet it kind of just skims over the dreaded belly budge and love handles.

I bought it in 4 colors, a nice basic white, pink, blue and green striped. And the best thing...these really nice shirts cost all of $16.97 each!

I also found some stretch corduroys again from the Lane Bryant Woman Within catalog that I love. I bought them in deep navy blue for a little bit of a dressier look. They have a button and zipper which makes it easier to get them on and off but they also have satin draw string around the waist. I'm just all about these funtional drawstrings on jeans and pants since I've found them rather than just elastic pull on waists.

[Ches]

I refuse to trade in all my cute little shirts for baggy T's. Instead I just wear my ab binder when I want to wear a smaller shirt. It helps with my blood pressure and it makes my belly look great. If you got one, wear it. I also used to wear corsets as shirts alot. I havent tried wearing one yet, but Im thinking they will look good, just have to be sure and put your skirt (pants, whatever) under the bottom of the corset so you dont have skin hanging out the side.
Damn, I had a question....and I forgot it. oh well, maybe later!

[juls]

I wear pretty much the same clothes as I did before the accident except for dresses..I love strapless/halter neck tops...they have a lot of baby doll tops out now which are really flattering...

Just a question for everyone...do you still wear dresses?
I've got a wedding coming up and my mate wants me to wear a dress but I was worried about how it would look and what shoes to wear with it as i've really only worn tight jeans and little tops since having a sci..
I'm pretty small so I want to wear a dress that's fitted up the top but flows over my legs..if you know what I mean!!

Any help would be really appreciated!

[Apparelyzed]

juls, on Sep 19 2007, 10:10 AM, said:

Just a question for everyone...do you still wear dresses?

Not anymore, they get caught in my wheels.

Oh crap, I must remember not to type what I'm thinking!

Simon

[megatrig]

Apparelyzed, on Sep 19 2007, 10:29 AM, said:

juls, on Sep 19 2007, 10:10 AM, said:

Just a question for everyone...do you still wear dresses?

Not anymore, they get caught in my wheels.

Oh crap, I must remember not to type what I'm thinking!

Simon

I have that problem to Simon .......... cough cough

Seriously Juls .. I have seen wheelchair users in dresses looking stunning ... kinda a case of getting it and .. ummm tailoring it prior to the big event!!

[Apparelyzed]

Regarding dresses,

Most women I know who don't like wearing dresses/skirts in a wheelchair, complain that they look unflattering.

This is due to the dress/skirt hanging over the edge of the cusion, and also due to posture spreading their legs apart, which isnt good news if the dress or skirt is short.

So, the simple solution is to get a lap belt, a strap of material with velcro at both ends. You can put this around both legs to tie them together, above the knees, and cover the strap up with your skirt/dress.

With your knees closer together, you'll have better posture, and you'll look slimmer from the front. You can also wear closer fitting and shorter dresses/skirts to show your legs off, and you clothes won't get caught in your wheels.

And no, I don't know this from personal experience!

Simon.

[glamisgirl]

Ches, on Aug 27 2007, 01:43 AM, said:

I know I cant be alone here, all girls love clothes and dressing pretty. I miss wear high heels the most. I have a shoe fetish like mad. How did you ladies deal with this? I mean I could wear my heels but Im thinking the heel will just fall off the back of my foot rest? So I guess wedges or flats huh? I cant stand the idea of never wearing them again.. Am I thinking too much into it here?

I too am a shoe junkie, purses and sunglasses also. I have at least 100 pairs of shoes and about 10 of them are wearable. My weakness was flip flops. Of course almost every cute shoe doesn't stay on your feet in the wheelchair. I thought about taking in a pair of my flip flops to a shoe maker and see if they can put some kind of elastic strap around the back of my heel that can be sewn on the sides. I think that would help them stay on. Since it would be around the back of my foot nobody would notice it. Now when I buy heels I just make sure I buy them that either wrap around and tie on my ankles or have a strap that buckles around my ankle. When I wear heels for more than about 2 ours my feet start to swell so its pressure wounds I worry about.

[T-Crip]

juls-----I recently went to a wedding and I wore a dress that was strapless that I had before my accident. It is pretty straight but has a slit on one side and comes down to my knees. I wore the shoes that I wore with it before my accident which were a wedge flip flop with sequins that made them look reall dressy. Worked out SUPER and I looked pretty good if I do say so myself!!

Simon----stupendous idea! I just might try that next time!

ches----also a stupendous idea hahahah!! I didn't think about wearing my binder you sligh dog you! Good thinkin'!

Izzywizzy----I wear Timberlands. They go to the toe and have some really cute ones. Last year they had pink and light baby blue!



Oh! And glamisgirl----I too considered that. I think that would be a very inexpensive way to wear what you have and love. Thye might even be able to do a clear strap? I say go for it! Let me know how that works too...maybe I'll do it too!