Being Disabled and Fabulous!


My mother has a disability and for the longest time that I've known her, she has been a disabled woman. But my mother is also one of the most fabulous women that I have in my life and she is an icon to me of a stylish, well dressed woman. Sometimes she is in a wheelchair and sometimes she just needs a strong shoulder to lean on as she walks but she is incredibly able. Today I write in honor of her.

My mom and I on Thanksgiving, 2011

I was on tumblr recently and ran across a girl named Jillian Mercado, who had her wheelchair stolen and was looking for help funding a new one. I clicked further on her links, finding her blog, instagram, and twitter. I was really impressed by this fashion blogger who despite of being wheelchair bound is making many connections and progressions in the fashion industry. 


This got me thinking about another one of my favorite able-minded tumblr icons, Viktoria Modesta. Who, if you don't know, is a flaw-free model who in 2007 had a voluntary amputation of her leg after suffering from an accident at birth that left her with severe complications. She is known for using her amputated leg as a fashion plate, adorning her leg in swarovski crystals, posing in Bizarre magazine like some sort of futuristic android pin-up!


Unfortunately many women who have wheelchairs or crutches or prosthetic limbs, do not feel as though they can be fashionable. On a recent episode of the American TV show "What Not to Wear" a woman who used crutches said that her crutches make stand out anyway, when all she wanted to do was fit in. But what is the use of that! You have a disability but that disability says nothing about you, your personality, your taste or your style. No one should try to blend into the crowd, none the less someone in a wheelchair or crutches. Bedazzzle that bitch! And make the people gag with your glamour! Looking good makes you feel good, able bodied or not, everyone wants to look and feel their best right?

Listen to Raja

I have some advice for remaining fabulous while being physically impaired. 
If you are in a wheelchair, most attention usually goes to the top half of the body because that's where your face is and its close to eye level so give that lots of attention. Wear colours and bold prints, pick something bold to wear like a statement necklace or earrings. If you have a condition that affects the size of your legs try to balance it out with your top. If your legs are small, wear wide legged jeans that are tailored and tapered to fit you. If you have a wide upper body, wear slimmer jeans or dress that gives you the appearance of a slimmer lower body, avoid triangle tops, padded shoulders or puffy sleeves. 







Don't forget shoes! Comfort is always important but so is a nice sole! If you need comfortable, orthopedic shoes go with a nice flat or mule. I found a website called Healthy Feet Store that has some nice options for women and men. 
If you are on crutches find clothes that fit your body and give you nice stretch, you don't want anything impeding you or dragging on the floor. A fitted blazer, skinny jeans, leggings, a romper, an A-line skirt, a skater dress, these things are all outfits that are comfortable to move in and don't require a lot of maintenance. 


If you have a prosthetic limb, don't hide it, flaunt it! There are a number of women I know who have had their legs/arms tattooed and wear them around with high heels and short skirts. Look at Viktoria who uses her leg as a way to set her apart from all the other pretty faces and use that as an example.


Which of these Real Housewives has a prosthetic leg? Who cares! 

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