Search

To develop protective clothing for the paraplegic men their clothing related problems were identified by interview as well as observation method. A few paraplegic men encountered problems while wearing and removing upper garments for which help was always obtained. The problems encountered by all the respondents with the lower garments were: slipping legs in garments and removing them, garments and bed wetting because of incontinence, bunching of garments causing discomforts and bed sores at pressure points like scapula region, hip or back bones and wounds due to traction belt. Suitability assessment of functional features provided in the garments of paraplegics in accordance to their clothing related problems revealed that upper garments made with center front placket and large armholes were assessed to be highly suitable for the patients who had pain in their upper limbs. 'T'-shirt made to hip length were found to be very comfortable as bunching and wetting of garments could be prevented. A vest designed with back pocket for poly fiber padded cushion provided comfortability at scapula region while sleeping and sitting. Payajma with crotch length placket was assessed to be highly suitable due to ease in dressing/undressing as well as changing of napkins and pads. Napkin with side placket, padded with poly fiber at identified areas was found to be very appropriate as it could be changed easily and padding provided sufficient comfortability at pressure points.

Lower limb amputees encountered problems related to clothing because of supportive devices and they were : rising of upper garments, bunching of garments under armpit, frequent wear and tear at armpit level due to crutches, wearing pants with narrow pauncha because of prosthesis, frequent wear and tear due to tangling of garments in prosthesis at thigh level or knee joint, abrasion at thigh level. Reinforcement provided to increase the serviceability of upper garments was highly appreciated. Pauncha placket fastened with zipper provided ease at the time of setting/ detaching prosthesis. Underwears or hoses shirred with elastic were found useful to prevent frequent wear and tear as well as abrasion in lower garments. REFERENCES Aggarwal, M.: Suitability of Designed Garments for Orthopaedically Handicapped Adult Males. Master’s Thesis, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, (1993). Brat, V.: Designing Garments for Physically Handicapped Children. Master’s Thesis, Institute of Home Economics. University of Delhi, Delhi (1994). Boettke, E.M.: Suggestions for physically handicapped mothers on clothing for pre-school children. Storrs Connecticut: University of Connecticut. School of Home Economics, Bulletin No.1 (1957). Ratna, J.D.: Dress Designing for Disabled. Master’s thesis, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad (1988). Soderberg, L.: A trouser leg adaptation for amputee. The Journal of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, 77(33): 234 (1991). Tavawala, B.A.: Clothing for Physically Handicapped Children. Doctoral Dissertation, M.S. University, Baroda (1982). Authors’ Addresses: N. Pruthi, Department of Clothing & Textiles, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125 005, Haryana, India P. Seetharaman and Chanchal, Institute of Home Economics, Haus Khas, New Delhi, India

In an interview and observation of male and female paraplegics it was found that they faced various type of clothing related problems. A few paraplegics faced problems while wearing and removing upper garments as they had pain in their upper limbs whereas other common problems faced by majority of the paraplegics were: slipping legs in garments and removing them, garment and bed wetting because of incontinence, bunching of garments causing discomfort and bed sores at pressure points e.g. scapula region, hip or back bones and wounds due to traction belt.

KEYWORDS Disabled; functional garments; problems; clothing ABSTRACT Thirty respondents (29 men and one women) with upper amputated limbs were interviewed and observed to identify their problems while dressing and undressing. The problems encountered by them while dressing/ undressing were: fastening/unfastening of placket and cuffs, tucking of shirt, sleeves of amputated side keep hanging if prosthesis not used, inconvenient to use front pocket of left side by right limb amputee, setting lower garments at waist, fastening of pants' belt fly's zipper, tying/untying of string and setting of dhoti. The problems encountered by women are fastening/unfastening of fasteners, setting of lower garments at waist, tying/untying of string and setting of saree.