About the Author: Dave Symington is a musician, writer and community development coordinator with a multitude of experiences working in academic and non-profit sectors. He holds degrees from Queen's University, University of Victoria and St. Lawrence College. Dave co-founded the Vancouver Adapted Music Society and is active on many boards and committees surrounding disability advocacy. Dave lives in British Columbia where he is surrounded by good friends, lots of live music and excellent places to find a tasty vegetarian meal.
Although I used to do all of my own personal care until 12 years ago, when I was getting too old and it was too dangerous to try to balance that with working full-time and other activities, getting dressed for me then was essentially the same as it is now in terms of what I choose to wear.
I wear loose fitting tops and usually ones that are one size too big for me so at least I know that they will stay where they are supposed to.
Whatever is most comfortable and easy to get on is my go to, although, I've always struggled with socks and jeans that are sometimes too tight. Now I just don’t wear jeans anymore due to pressure sore issues for the last few years so I use softer materials and pants that stretch at the waist and groin. My caregivers appreciate that as well! I wear loose fitting tops and usually ones that are one size too big for me so at least I know that they will stay where they are supposed to. I have to wear compression stockings now so that’s the only thing my caregivers struggle with a bit.
For the most part I wear black or at least dark clothing but occasionally put on a snazzy dinner jacket when I’m going to the symphony, or a special dinner for example. In the winter I have an insulated poncho that covers my chair and me, it is rainproof and fairly warm. I can actually put that on by myself because basically I just have to put my head through the head hole and let the rest of it fall down over my legs and back and the sides of the chair. I use a power wheelchair now as I don’t think the poncho would be workable in a manual chair.
When I used to dress myself it would take anywhere from half an hour to 45 minutes. Now with the assistance I get it takes 10 to 15 minutes!
Since I don’t have full use of my hands I can’t wear gloves so I’m always looking for better mitts. I have used Ski-Doo mitts but they are a bit too big for me to comfortably control the joystick of the chair and Woolen Mitts aren’t quite warm enough although Vancouver rarely gets below -10 and usually hovers around 3 to 8° in the winter.
When I used to dress myself it would take anywhere from half an hour to 45 minutes. Now with the assistance I get it takes 10 to 15 minutes! Not sure what my style is although I’ve always felt at my core that I am a jeans and T-shirt kind of guy. I would like to wear fancier clothes from time to time but it’s difficult to find suits that are cut to fit my body shape (curvature of the spine, kyphosis).
I find that the places that cater to adaptive clothing tend to focus on the typical or stereotypical senior crowd.
I have a few friends that have their clothes specially made but I haven’t gone that route…yet! I find that the places that cater to adaptive clothing tend to focus on the typical or stereotypical senior crowd. Lots of Velcro closures and clothes without good colours or any pizzazz. It would be nice if there was a place that was reasonably priced and that could provide clothing fitted to my measurements, abilities and style.
The video below is of Dave providing feedback to emske about the mitt prototype that we are collaborating on together. Getting lived experience feedback on how a design is working well and also where it needs more work is so important in the co-design process. This is the second iteration of the mitt, and it may take 2 or 3 more versions until we get to the final product, it's hard to predict. But when we do get there, rest assured, we will be sharing it with you all!