2 minute read
INDEPENDENT LIVING
A PERFECT FIT
THEY say necessity is the mother of invention …. That’s true of mum Caron McLuckie, who found a solution to her son’s clothing needs – and who turned it into a business. Here’s her story:
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DURING January 2016 my life changed. It was a Saturday afternoon and I had been watching the film Everest with my son Emile and daughter Esther.
At the end of the movie I had an errand to run and Emile wanted to come with me. Little did I know we were about to face our own Everest.
Five minutes into the drive Emile let out a shout and started to squirm in his seat. His feet were turned inwards, and he couldn’t lift his legs. We went straight to A&E and it took three people to get him out of the car and into a wheelchair.
Emile had suffered a spinal cord stroke which had left him paralysed from the chest down.
I was amazed at how well he coped with this traumatic event; his resilience was astounding.
Because Emile has no bladder control, we have to catheterise to empty his bladder.
It soon became clear, once we got into our daily routine, that clothes did not fit him properly when he sat in his wheelchair.
More importantly, even the comfortable joggers that Emile likes to wear did not provide easy access to catheterise.
I sought advice from wheelchair-users,
were excited by my idea of “fly front opening joggers” and made a prototype. They added a polo top with magnetic openings, resulting ‘ in a smart, casual tracksuit that is comfortable and practical. I have now designed bespoke joggers and trousers with a unique opening to enable comfortable catheterising. They are higher at the back and available in various waist sizes and leg lengths. I’m also hoping to produce adaptive shorts, longline t-shirts and unisex pieces in order to be more inclusive for all disabled people. carers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and finally approached the Fashion Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University. They have been researching, with the Stroke Foundation, the difficulties stroke survivors face when trying to find suitable clothes when they return to work. Students Rebecca and Melissa Everett ‘ I have not done anything like this before. For over 20 years I worked as a mental health social worker, but I feel there is a real gap in the market and it’s something I want to fill. Esther’s nickname for Emile is Bealie so we’ve named the business Bealies adaptivewear. Keep an eye out for us. n Bealies: Tel. 07789 963162
Caron’s unique fashions making life easier
SMARTY PANTS: Emile, seated, with mum Caron, sister Esther, and brother Theo
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