During my chemotherapy treatments, I quickly learned that not all adaptive clothing is created equal. While many brands promote their designs as "adaptive," they are often geared towards general mobility needs—offering easy dressing features like magnetic buttons or open-back tops. However, they rarely consider the specific needs of medical patients.
That’s where accessible clothing comes in.
The Difference Between Adaptive and Accessible
Adaptive clothing is primarily designed for individuals with mobility limitations or disabilities, offering features like velcro fastenings or wide openings to simplify dressing. While this is incredibly valuable, it doesn’t necessarily support patients undergoing cancer treatments, dialysis, or infusions.
Accessible clothing, on the other hand, is designed with medical functionality in mind. Porto & Bello’s garments feature targeted access points—specifically positioned for IV lines, PICC lines, and central lines—allowing healthcare professionals to administer treatment without the patient needing to undress.
Why Accessible Clothing is Better for Medical Patients
During my treatments, I found that traditional adaptive tops, while easier to put on, lacked practical access to my medical devices. I still had to stretch or remove the garment entirely to allow the nurses to reach my portacath. Porto & Bello’s clothing, however, provided a solution tailored to medical needs.
For dialysis patients, accessible garments offer discreet arm openings that allow easy access to catheters or grafts without fully exposing the arm. For chemotherapy patients, the side openings offer easy port access without the hassle of disrobing.
Accessible clothing not only provides functionality during treatment but also maintains dignity and comfort—something I valued deeply during my cancer journey.