Note: this post describes step by step, Sarah's system of how she independently dresses herself (shirt, pants, buttons and socks only) and applies deodorant and powder with one hand. Every person's mobility varies, so please consult your PT before trying a new system or to ask if this system may work for you. If you comment or have questions, please respect Sarah's dignity and privacy. Please remain relevant and appropriate. All comments are monitored and any deemed in violation of these rules can and will be deleted!
I'm sure this task would be a lot easier if I could stand, or even use my right hand a lot more than I can, but since I pretty much only have my left hand to work with, it's been a learning experience.
When I was younger and I used to have my therapists come to the house, they seemed to all have to have that "one size fits all" idea regarding how they thought I was going to learn necessary tasks. In the end, I actually taught myself how to dress.
Getting Clothing On:
1.) Sit on the edge of the bed - I have found that sitting on the edge of my bed keeps me steady. I also utilize the bedframe to prop my legs bent at the knees. Sitting on the edge lifts me off the ground, which is important because it is very hard for me to lift and hold my feet up off the ground.
2.) Slip bottoms over toes - while planting my right foot on the bedframe, I am better able to lift my left leg and slip my toes through the waist of my pants. I get my left leg a majority of the way through my pant leg before I switch and plant my left foot on the bed frame to dress my right leg
3.) High kneel - I high kneel, or kneel vertically to pull my pants up. Using my thumb and index finger, I continuously feed the waistband between the two fingers, going around my waist. I tug up periodically or sometimes simultaneously, depending on how easy the fabric is. With jeans, I alternate, but with elastic pants, it's easier to do both motions at the same time.
4.) Open the bottom of the shirt - putting my shirt on does not require a lot of balance, so I usually kneel to do this. I open up the bottom of my shirt, having it draping over my lap.
5.) Gather or scrunch the shirt - keeping my thumb in the opening, I use my other fingers to scrunch up the shirt from the head opening to the bottom, until my fingers touch my thumb. This makes an easy route to the head opening, and minimizes my chances of getting tangled up. I then push my head through.
6.) Check for the tag - Now that my head is through my shirt, I lift the rim of the head opening and check for tags. If there is a tag in front, I know that I have to bring the sleeves on opposite sides.
7.) Turn and slide - If I have to turn get my sleeves on opposite sides to get the tag in the back, I use my left hand to pull my right sleeve (grabbing at the shoulder) toward my left side until the sleeves are properly set. Then, I simply slide my left arm up and through the left sleeve. I then push my right arm the same way, through the right sleeve.
Putting on socks:
To put on socks, again, I sit on the edge of my bed, and prop my feet up on the frame. By doing this, my toes are out passed the frame, and am able to keep them off the ground, because my heels are resting on the frame. Then I take my sock and slip the opening slowly and just barely over my toes (far enough so the socks won't slip off). Next, I just keep tugging lightly upward on either side of the sock, until it is close to my heel. Because my other foot is firmly planted on the frame, I am able to slightly lift the foot I'm working with, up just enough to use my thumb and slip the sock over the heel. I continue to pull upward from there. If there is friction padding on the soles of the socks, I do everything I mentioned, except when I get to just before the heel, I pull the sock around until it is set right. I do the same thing to dress the opposite foot.
Undressing:
1.) High kneel - high kneeling is easier than doing bridges in order to slip pants off my waist
2.) Use the bed and bedframe - I slide my pants to my ankles easiest while sitting on the bed. Then I prop my legs up on the frame, bent at the knees.
3.) Push clothing toward feet - while my feet are propped on the bed frame, I slightly lift one leg and begin pushing the pants downward toward my feet, with the intention of pushing the waist band down and under my heel. This is sometimes the hardest step to undressing
4.) Grab opposite elbow seam - I take my weak arm out first, so to do this, I grab my right elbow seam and pull down/out until I feel the seam slide out of place, and my elbow is free.
5.) Tug opposite hand opening - this allows me to then pull sleeve off. My right arm will then be against my body, out of the sleeve
6.) Pull head out - I grab onto the collar of my shirt (on my weak side), and pull upward and over toward my left side. That pretty much gets the shirt entirely off, except I have to wiggle my left arm free
Buttons:
My mother has always been amazed for some reason by the way I taught myself how to manage buttons. Having a little bit of fingernail helps with this task. To secure or detach my buttons, I only use to fingers: my thumb and my index finger (and sometimes my elbow)
To secure a button:
First, I find that lying on my back is the best way to do this, because it flattens the stomach that much more, allowing me to pull both sides of my zipper of top inward, as close to the opposite side as possible. It depends on the position of the button, but when they are on the left side, it's a whole lot easier. Using the very tip of my thumb and index fingers, I am able to lift the hole and keep it open, while tilting the button in the appropriate direction with the opposite finger. I tend to use my thumb to then push the button through the hole, pushing the fabric against my body to help keep the two sides together until the button is fully in place.
Detaching buttons:
Easy! I use my thumb and index finger only. While the finger closest to the button pushes it down, tilting it slightly upward, I use the fingernail on the opposite finger to get a little between the hole and the button. Then I pull in the appropriate direction and the button is detached.
Applying deodorant / baby powder:
If you can bend your wrist inward toward your underarm easily, this should be easy for you. I find roll-on deodorant unpleasant because it tends to be a bit wet. I use unscented rub-on because it does the job, but it glides and is dry. I bend my wrist inward and apply the deodorant that way.
Then, for added protection against perceperation, I sometimes like to use baby powder. But how do you apply baby powder with one hand? The other thing I like about rub-on deodorant is because of that. I stand the deodorant up and poor some baby powder over the deodorant part and apply the power the same way I would the deodorant. This can be messy though, so I recommend doing it over a towel. I apply ample powder to the deodorant stick when having to bend my wrist, to ensure that I get an even amount.
*I have found that the particular deodorant I use does not dry out after using the powder, as some may think, yet it may depend on the type of deodorant.
MY TIPS FOR EASY DRESSING AND UNDRESSING & WHY:
1.) Wear elastic as much as possible - elastic waist bands and pants are my best friend. This way, your clothing tends to be lose and stretchy - a great thing!
2.) Avoid mesh/knitted material - In my experience, the sleeves on these types of fabrics tend to be tight to the body when trying to get them off and it is easy to get tangled up in these types of shirts
3.) Avoid skinny jeans & related pants - these types of pants, including some jeans have tight waist bands and/or are very snug around the ankles, which can cause great frustration, especially if you're half dressed and realize you can't finish without someone's help
4.) Get comfortable - get into the positions that you have the best balance in. For me, dressing while on the floor is a bad idea because I can't keep myself upright and lift my legs at the same time, unless I have some sort of footstool. You want to make sure that the positions and places you choose to dress/undress are ones that support your body the way you need to be supported. Nothing is worse than finding out I can't finish dressing because I chose to try it on the floor. Then I get frustrated, exhausted and end up calling for mom
5.) Don't wear a lot of layers - after a while, trying to put the effort into dressing in layers, will tire you out and you will be sweaty and hot (what's the point??) Limit your layers. Try undershirts, hoodies, and leggings or doubling your socks.
6.) Dry off before dressing - clothes stick to you when you are wet and with limited mobility and the tendency to use up a lot of energy with simple tasks, the efforts of getting your clothes unstuck will be great and frustrating.