Hemiplegia in adaptive fashion

Adaptive fashion is finally becoming more visible, and it’s encouraging to see brands making clothing that embraces a wide range of needs. From magnetic closures to easy-dress trousers, adaptive clothing is helping people with disabilities dress more comfortably, stylishly, and independently. We have many brands on Never Grey that are leading the way such as; Intotum, Wear Matter, Unhidden, Optivus, The Able Label, Christina Stephens, May Marigold and Adapted Trends and it's refreshing to see inclusion become a real priority.

However, I believe there's still a gap, particularly when it comes to hemiplegia and hemiparalysis. Many adaptive designs focus on limb loss or limb difference, but what about people who live with a paralysed arm? For those of us with hemiplegia, basic things like keeping a sleeve from slipping off the shoulder become a daily, exhausting battle. I use a walking stick, and because my left arm can't shrug or move to adjust, I'm constantly having to stop, let go of my stick, and pull my sleeve back up literally hundreds of times a day.

Imagine if a simple solution, like a discreet plate or structured support built into the shoulder of a shirt or jacket, could keep a paralysed arm’s sleeve secure. It would be a true game-changer.

At the moment, I haven’t found any major adaptive fashion brands offering this kind of design but they should. A substantial portion of stroke survivors experience some degree of upper limb impairment, with up to 85% experiencing motor dysfunction in their upper limbs after a stroke. Additionally, 20-30% of individuals with cerebral palsy have spastic hemiplegic in the upper limb. People with Multiple Sclerosis and spinal cord injuries can also experience limb difference. 

True adaptive fashion means thinking beyond dressing with ease; it means designing for real, lived experiences. If you work in Adaptive Fashion, does such clothing exist?