Robbed of your identity - why it's important for disabled people to choose their own clothes

By Danielle Farrel // BBC The Social contributor // 10 August 2021

I want to highlight something that is often overlooked for disabled people – choosing an outfit.

This may not seem like a big deal and just something we do as part of our daily routines, but for disabled people this is often not the case. In reality, disabled people often have outfits chosen for them, whether it is by a P.A, support worker, or family member.

Why you might ask? It is often the case that the person making the choice thinks an outfit is easier to put on an individual with a disability or because it is just less time consuming if they choose to wear particular outfits.

Another reason might be that a disabled person is non-verbal and it’s wrongly assumed that they can’t be given the choice, when actually if the person supporting them just takes a little more time to communicate with them, they can and should be given this choice.

They have opinions just like everyone else and should be allowed to express them.

This outfit was a fashion blunder (for me)!

It could also be the case that a disabled person thinks that they don’t have the choice to make or express their own opinions because they haven’t been given the opportunity to do so. Well, none of these scenarios should be the case and I’m proof of that.

For me, every outfit has to be colour co-ordinated from head to foot, including sometimes my hair. I don’t care if I have to buy a t-shirt or top that is two sizes bigger if it means that I can get it on and off. I’d much rather make this choice than have it made for me and wear something that reflects my individuality.

Having my outfit chosen for me can end up in situations that I’d consider a fashion blunder and add a lot of unnecessary stress to my day.

Take a look at this outfit I had chosen for me - a mustard top with pink tartan trousers and purple boots. Nothing about this outfit matches and nothing reflects my identity. That’s why I am so glad I am able to pick my own clothes but for some disabled people the opposite is the reality, they don’t have a choice and people just think they are doing right by making choices for them.

(No offence to anyone who liked this particular outfit…just not for me.)

Everyone, regardless of their disability, should be allowed to reflect their identity.