Half a year ago we were asked if we wanted to participate in a fashion show for and by people with Spina Bifida. The occasion was a symposium about Spina Bifida because of the 10th anniversary of the Spina Bifida reference centre of UZ Gent in the Provincial domain Puyenbroeck. The symposium with many interesting speakers and topics would end with a fashion show of adaptive clothing: special fashion for special people. An opportunity that we couldn't ignore.
Preparation
The models received a visit from Jessie a few days in advance to see which items of clothing were most suitable. People with Spina Bifida have a different physique. As a result of the open back, the nerves and muscles no longer function properly and the legs cannot grow sufficiently and there is often a leg length difference. Many people with this condition are therefore wheelchair dependent. Fortunately the wheelchair skirt and all the wheelchair trousers fitted perfectly and only the length had to be adjusted.
On Friday 3 May we were all invited to the dress rehearsal. This way everyone could get used to their first stage experience.
4 november 2017: D-Day!
While many speakers came up with interesting topics, our models with Spina Bifida were able to change clothes and visit the hairdresser and make-up artist. Glitz and glamour go with being a model.
People who had never been in the spotlight before, could now steal the show one by one. And they did! With more than 400 eyes on them!
Iris proudly presents the ROMY wheelchair skirt with a zipper that can be fully opened. With this skirt, Iris isn't just comfortable, but she also looks totally feminine!
Daniël takes his job as a model very seriously and quickly takes the stage to demonstrate the trousers to everyone in the room. The VITO wheelchair trousers with a higher back and accessible pockets look great.
Big thanks to our Spina Bifida models Iris, Daniël, Ellen and Benny and a big congratulations to the organisers Bart, Valentine and Inge.
Sofie en Jessie