Dressing with Confidence: Finding Adaptive Clothing for Life with SMA

When living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), finding comfortable, functional, and stylish clothes can be a significant challenge. See some tips below for finding adaptable clothing, and hear what others have found helpful.

Shopping challenges

Many people with SMA struggle to find clothing that fits comfortably and appropriately. Traditional designs often don't account for the unique needs of wheelchair users or specific body considerations. One community member expressed frustration: "It can be frustrating shopping for clothes that fit my body comfortably... adaptive dress pants, jeans, khakis, and even shoes always seem to be a challenge."

Dressing rooms also rarely accommodate wheelchairs or lifts. This makes trying on clothes in a store difficult.

"I personally have never seen a dressing room with a Hoyer lift; I rarely find one that’s even big enough for a wheelchair," one community member wrote. They added: "If I want to buy pants, I have to purchase them, come home, get in bed, try them on, and get back in my wheelchair to see if the pants are comfortable. If [they are] not, I have to go back to the store to return the pants."

Online shopping, while convenient, may lack the ability to try things on, feel the material, and look at them up close. Some online adaptive clothing stores also cater more to seniors than young adults, limiting choices.

Solutions and personal strategies

Despite the difficulties, the SMA community has developed different strategies for finding clothing.

Prioritizing specific features

Many find stretchy clothes to be the most comfortable and accommodating for their needs. There's also a desire for manufacturers to incorporate features like long zippers and built-in big zipper pulls into jeans and other garments, as opposed to relying heavily on Velcro.

Customization and alterations

Don't underestimate the power of tailoring. If an item doesn't fit perfectly, consider alterations to make it work for your body. For a quick fix, safety pins can be a "best friend" for adjusting clothing on the fly. Some folks look for companies that can switch zippers for Velcro on existing garments to improve functionality.

If getting clothes customized, be honest about your needs. One user provided detailed instructions for their stylist, explaining the need for tapered pants, short jackets, and tighter sleeves due to sitting and arm considerations, which led to a perfect outfit.

Getting multiple pairs

When a rare style does fit, it might help to buy multiple pairs.

"Very rarely do I come across a style of pants that fit my body, but when I do, I make sure to buy them because of the infrequent occurrence," one community member shared.

Empowering personal choice

Allowing individuals, including young children, to pick their own outfits can foster independence and confidence. One parent rearranged their daughter's dresser so she could easily reach seasonally-appropriate items from her chair, which she loved doing. This small act can lead to a boost in self-esteem.

Prioritizing both comfort and fashion

Comfort is paramount. If an outfit isn't comfortable, it's not worth wearing. But comfort doesn't mean sacrificing style.

"You don't have to compromise when it comes to your clothing," one community member shared. "It's possible to find functionality, comfort, and fashion simultaneously."

The popularity of sweatpants and yoga pants, for example, has been a welcome trend, offering comfort without sacrificing style.