Manisha Vaidya, a mother from Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, shares her experience caring for her son Karan Vaidya, a DMD warrior. Her story highlights the everyday challenges faced by caregivers and why adaptive and accessible clothing can make a meaningful difference in daily life.
A Caregiver’s Voice
“As the mother of an adult DMD warrior, I face many challenges in daily life. Many routine activities that seem very simple for others can become difficult for us, including something as basic as dressing. As our children grow older, their physical limitations increase, and at the same time, parents are also growing older. Because of this, supporting everyday activities like wearing clothes becomes physically demanding for both the caregiver and the warrior.
Wearing a shirt, for example, used to be a difficult task because restricted arm movement made it hard to lift the hands. It created unnecessary physical effort and mental stress for both of us. Through adaptive clothing introduced by Sambhav, we saw how small modifications in clothing can make a big difference. Accessible clothing is something that people usually do not think about, but it can greatly improve everyday life for families like ours.
Now our warriors can wear clothes they like without constantly worrying about whether dressing will be painful or difficult. For example, wearing a festive kurta is normally very difficult because of its design. But with a simple Velcro strip added at the back, the same kurta becomes much easier to wear. Changes like these should become part of everyday clothing so that dressing becomes easier and more comfortable for people with limited mobility.”
— Manisha Vaidya, mother of a DMD warrior
Everyday Challenges in Dressing a Muscular Dystrophy Patient:
- As individuals with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) grow older, their physical limitations gradually increase.
- Simple movements such as lifting arms, adjusting sleeves, or pulling clothes over the head become difficult.
- At the same time, parents and caregivers are also growing older, making daily assistance more physically demanding.
- Supporting routine activities like dressing can become exhausting for both the caregiver and the individual.
- Even wearing a shirt can become challenging because restricted arm movement makes lifting hands difficult.
- As a result, caregivers often need to assist with dressing.
- This can sometimes lead to physical strain and emotional stress for both the caregiver and the individual.
- These experiences highlight the importance of easy-wear clothing and accessible clothing designs for families managing mobility challenges.
— Manisha Vaidya, mother of a DMD warrior
Small Design Changes That Make a Big Difference:
Adaptive clothing does not always require complex designs. Often, a small and thoughtful modification can significantly improve everyday comfort and ease of dressing.
For example, wearing a traditional festive kurta can be difficult for someone with limited arm movement. Most kurtas need to be worn by lifting the arms and pulling the garment over the head, which may not be possible for individuals with restricted mobility.
To address this challenge, Sambhav introduced a simple yet effective design modification by adding a Velcro opening at the back of the kurta. This allows the garment to open easily, enabling caregivers to assist with dressing without requiring the individual to lift their arms excessively. From the outside, the kurta still looks like a traditional festive outfit, preserving its appearance and style. However, this small modification makes the garment far more comfortable and accessible to wear.
Key Features of the Adaptive Kurta
- Velcro Back Opening
Makes dressing easier for caregivers and individuals with limited arm movement. - Comfortable Fit for Seated Positions
Designed to remain comfortable for individuals who spend long periods sitting or using wheelchairs. - Maintains Traditional Look
The kurta retains its festive and traditional appearance, so individuals can wear it confidently on special occasions. - Easy Dressing Experience
Reduces the physical effort required during dressing, helping both caregivers and individuals.
Why do these Small Features Matter?
Simple modifications like these help make clothing more accessible, comfortable, and practical for people with disabilities, limited mobility, and their caregivers. By combining traditional design with adaptive functionality, Sambhav aims to make fashion more inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Sambhav Kurta
Explore More About Adaptive Clothing:
If you would like to understand more about how adaptive clothing supports wheelchair users, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities, you can read our detailed guide:
Adaptive Clothing in India: Inclusive & Accessible Clothing for Wheelchair Users and Elderly