Wardrobe malfunction: Case studies of disability and clothing at the threshold of older adulthood.

ABSTRACT

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a lifelong debilitating condition that presents numerous challenges to social participation. The challenge of finding suitable and functional clothing while living with SCI is one of the frequently overlooked factors hindering attempts at meaningful engagement in social and community life. Two case studies were collected over a period of 4 months through a qualitative interview. Both participants were aging with, and living with long-term spinal compromised conditions and described the relevance of ‘off-the-rack’ and adaptive apparel to their overall wellbeing, safety, personal style and identity at the threshold of older adulthood. Participants reported problems with adaptive apparel designed specifically for people living with disabilities and also reported problems with off-the-rack clothing that failed to meet needs for durability, comfort, safety, and style. Findings revealed that embodied knowledge was key to the apparel choices regarding function and standards of social acceptability. Implications for social workers and health professionals encourage the acknowledgment of apparel-related issues to meet the standards of client-centered care. Apparel plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining one’s identity as a social person, and should not be overlooked for people aging with disabilities.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• clothing
• men
• qualitative methods
• social participation

Additional information

Funding

This study was made possible by funding from Fulbright Canada.