Bra talk

[Sarahw]

A bit of a girly problem this I know but I don’t want to presume to exclude anybody! Can anyone recommend an easy to put on bra? (If there is indeed such a thing) With weakening arms and fumbling fingers I am having trouble dressing myself. I tried an over the head one and nearly garrotted myself, and then a front zipper one which just flew open as soon as I moved! I still want to wear one and am fed up wasting my money. Help needed. Xxx

[Ellie]

I used zip fronts for a few months Sarah, never had it open on me (maybe because I haven't much to restrain 😏)

If you could manage poppers, lots of nursing bras have front opening popper closures or there are bras with Velcro front closures - unless a handy friend could sew on some Velcro to that now-abandoned zip front bra as a trial? xx

[Lynne K]

Sarah, I tried front fastening bras but sent them back as couldn’t pull them around the front to fasten. So I bought some extenders from M&S for my original ones that were bought from there too. These make it easier to fasten at the front and twisting around my body to the right place as itself looser. Then the usual giggle for positions that all ladies know about. Getting straps up to the right comfortable position is really hard but I can with lots of effort and a different method that does it for me eventually. But if Steve’s about we use a dissertation method. He does the fastening at the back after I get positions comfy at the front. Then he puts my straps up which is much quicker than my struggles which I do it independently.

Good luck for a solution. Love Lynne x

[Mary C]

Just back from a wedding service.What a performance to get myself ready.Hubby is trained to put bra on once I have found the one I wanted to wear,
Now the legs aren’t looking good as atrophied and motley.Anyway my hubby managed to wrestle me into some glossy tights.Then came jewellery( not worn any for ages as too fiddly with shakey hands and support from hubby.)Then trying to apply make up with shaky hands was a challenge.Dress went on easily( lost a lot of weight so now fit comfortably into a size 12.).
Finally a glittery shawl and shoes with small heels.
Had hair blow dried.Felt great as I sat in my wheelchair and enjoyed pre service drinks and canapés.Got prime seating for the service.( a bonus for being in a wheelchair)Enjoyed photo shoots outdoors .
I decided not to accept invitation for the meal as I take ages to eat and poor appetite.Also I knew that 3-4 hours would be enough for me.
Worth the effort to feel good and enjoy the celebration.
Only one random coughing fit...had a dose of oramorph and it soon settled.
Back home now ...Worth the effort for such an enjoyable few hours .Back in casual clothes now and feet up with a cuppa

.In terms of bra talk I no longer wear underwired as my diaphragm feels affected so can’t bear things sticking in me.Also since having the RIG I feel I need comfortable bra that doesn’t press on RIG area.Not ready to abandon bra yet.
Got to keep up appearance as want to look the best I can despite not feeling great some days.

Happy Bra hunting.
Mary

[LindaB]

Mary C How great you made a big effort and sounds like a great success...bra included. Nice to hear about that special occassion💐💐

[Nettie]

Just back from a wedding service.What a performance to get myself ready.Hubby is trained to put bra on once I have found the one I wanted to wear,
Now the legs aren’t looking good as atrophied and motley.Anyway my hubby managed to wrestle me into some glossy tights.Then came jewellery( not worn any for ages as too fiddly with shakey hands and support from hubby.)Then trying to apply make up with shaky hands was a challenge.Dress went on easily( lost a lot of weight so now fit comfortably into a size 12.).
Finally a glittery shawl and shoes with small heels.
Had hair blow dried.Felt great as I sat in my wheelchair and enjoyed pre service drinks and canapés.Got prime seating for the service.( a bonus for being in a wheelchair)Enjoyed photo shoots outdoors .
I decided not to accept invitation for the meal as I take ages to eat and poor appetite.Also I knew that 3-4 hours would be enough for me.
Worth the effort to feel good and enjoy the celebration.
Only one random coughing fit...had a dose of oramorph and it soon settled.
Back home now ...Worth the effort for such an enjoyable few hours .Back in casual clothes now and feet up with a cuppa

.In terms of bra talk I no longer wear underwired as my diaphragm feels affected so can’t bear things sticking in me.Also since having the RIG I feel I need comfortable bra that doesn’t press on RIG area.Not ready to abandon bra yet.
Got to keep up appearance as want to look the best I can despite not feeling great some days.

Happy Bra hunting.
Mary

Hope you had a lovely day Mary, I’ve got a wedding to go to in a couple of weeks, it should have been a long weekend festival type but had to cut it short and just go for the day as it’s a 2 hour drive. I’m dreading getting ready for it but I’m sure we’ll manage it in the end I might even manage a bra 😂😂

[Ellie]

That sounds like a wonderful day out Mary, glitter shawl and all 👸

I'd say you're a tad tired now, but definitely worth it! Take it easy for the next few days. 😘

[Lynne K]

Glad that you had a great day at the wedding Mary. You have a fab husband by the sound of it.

As to bras: I couldn’t leave them off as I’d be very uncomfortable. I too stopped wearing all of my lovely wired bras as sitting awkwardly the wires stuck into me and they were harder to put on. So wear my drab but comfortable non wired now. Love Lynne x

[matthew55]

From the mans perspective whichever is easier to undo is best. 😉😂😄😘xx

[JAC]

well that raised a smile from me....

I'm just so delighted Mary that you got your glad rags on!!! hats off to you.....

my infinitely petty problem is that now i've got the dresses, and the confidence to wear them, i don't fancy going out to eat as i might have a coughing/swallow problem and can't really talk. where does a wallflower go these days?

[Mary C]

Hi JAC,
Go where you fancy but do your research first.I email or ring ahead to check out if there are challenges for me as a wheelchair user such as steps.I look at menu on line.
I prefer to sit not too far from disabled loo.
If I go out to eat I just have a small meal such as a starter or pudding while my family tuck into usual hearty meals.My appetite is poor so often only have a little to eat and when home or I can remove myself from group I have a food supplement through feeding tube.

Sometimes I prefer a corner area mainly because I can feel in the way with a wheelchair.
If you are worried about coughing or swallow problem maybe you could go to other places
where you sit outdoors .I have coughing fits and my husband just moves me away from group until it settles and I take a dose of oramorph prescribed to ease the cough and usually that works for me.
I get hubby to cut my food up as right hand is weaker and friends and family don’t comment as they know MND causes these issues.
Last week we went out for lunch with friends ..seated on a lovely terrace with a view.I ate a small amount only and then my hubby ate the remainder.I had a bit of a coughing fit and I did wonder if people thought I had covid.I was glad I went as very enjoyable.

I still like to dress up for going out..at home it’s casual clothes for me.Putting make up on is hit and miss with shakey dominant hand...I could end up looking like a clown.Bless him my husband is willing to try and help with mascara.
It’s all about feeling comfortable for me when I am eating at home or elsewhere.

I try and enjoy and adapt to each day as best as I can..not always easy as we all know.Sometimes I too feel like hiding away but see these as my better days .
Best wishes
Mary

[Sarahw]

‘From the mans perspective whichever is easier to undo is best’.
Thank you for that Matthew - I knew I could rely on you for a few pearls of wisdom!!!

I asked my OT for advice - she hadn’t a clue but found ‘Bra angel” and ‘Bra buddy” on YouTube. It’s supposed to be for people who have 1 arm after a stroke. I think it would take the 3 of us to manage it!!!

[Ellie]

Bikini tops are sometimes easier! but it depends on your bra size !

Which type of bikini top do you recommend as being easy to put on? Thanks.

[Heather R]

I thought I'd avoid the hook problem by getting a seamless stretchy one, but puts some pressure on breathing x

[EvelynMW]

I saw a huge number of front opening bras in the outlet centre on the A1 - the galleria. Most, sadly, were rather sport oriented and not pretty. Recently, when i was going out with a friend, we passed aa sign saying Susanne Charles outlet shop. Being curious - it is a bra place - i inted to visit and see wht they have.

I am quite large in that area but have 2 bras i can put on, most of the time, that is.

Will post later once i know where one can go!