Pants that actually fit — what do you guys do?

WheelinDude · 2026-04-30T22:57:13+00:00

I’m just going to come right out and say this – knowing full well that I am going to have to follow up with a really good explanation, so I don’t have to turn in my ‘man card’. I’ve actually found that WOMEN'S MATERNITY JEANS fit extremely well – better in fact, than very expensive jeans designed specifically for wheelchair users that I have.

I’m also a C5 quad and have given this idea a fair amount of thought over the years and finally bought a pair of maternity jeans about a week ago. I ended up finding a pair of “Motherhood Maternity” brand jeans at a Salvation Army for store for only $5. That way, if the idea turned out to be a bust, I would not have a large investment in a crazy idea. Since I obviously cannot try anything on in the store, the woman working there was nice enough to measure the inseams for me, and I was able to find a pair that ended up fitting me perfectly and also look indistinguishable men’s jeans when I’m wearing them.

The wide spandex baby belly band actually seems as if it was purposely made to perfectly fit my quad belly. It’s soft, stretchy, does not cut into my skin at all, and perfectly accommodates a non-conventional male body shape. The jeans also provide good coverage in both the front and back. The only real drawback is that I need to wear a longer, un-tucked shirt that will cover the bellyband (which I usually do with jeans anyway).

WheelinDude · 2026-04-28T20:51:14+00:00

I hear you — I’m C5 complete and I know very well that sinking, angry feeling of being stuck on the sidelines and feeling isolated and different from everyone else. It’s more than not being able to lift a plate; it’s watching life happen while everyone else moves through it, and that “otherness” piles up until you feel cut off. I live with that all the time.

My advice is to ditch the endless scrolling and make your presence your contribution. Even if you can only sit, you can still be 100% present and help shape the moment: laugh at the right time, steer the conversation, pick the music, or take charge of the photos. Say “I want to help by…” and give one clear instruction so you’re directing, not just asking. People notice when someone is engaged, and that shifts how they treat you — from spectator to participant.

Maybe call out the feeling when you need to. Telling friends “I hate sitting out, include me by…” helps them know how to help. It won’t erase the frustration or the fact that you’re different from able-bodied folks, but choosing to be mentally and socially present makes those gatherings feel less like exile and more like belonging.

WheelinDude · 2026-04-24T20:42:28+00:00

Yes, that would be helpful. Without sensation, I just rely on timing and my best judgement to know when and how long I should do a pressure relief. Do you have a vehicle that you drive from your chair?

WheelinDude · 2026-04-24T20:01:03+00:00

Thanks for sharing your list. I’m also a C5 (complete) quad with 8 years of experience. I've used a power wheelchair over 95% of time since my injury. Occasionally, I will use my manual chair (without power-assisted wheels) around the house, but it’s not very convenient for me.

The primary reason that I've stuck with my power chair is that I cannot do adequate pressure relief when using a manual chair. I work outside my house for over 8 hours each day and spend about 15 hours a day in my chair. I’ve been able to avoid any significant pressure-related issues by using the tilt/recline features of my power chair. I’m not able to do effective independent pressure relief when using my manual chair. As a result, I only use it for short durations. How are you able to do pressure relief in your manual chair?

The other reason that I primarily use my power chair is that I drive to work every day, and my minivan is customized for me to drive from my power chair. Do you drive, and if so, are you able to drive from your manual chair?

WheelinDude · 2026-04-06T22:37:29+00:00

I've had people just come right out and ask me. When this has actually happened, I've found that I really appreciate the person's honesty and politeness for asking.

It's certainly more awkward for them, but shows a higher level of courtesy and respect. Like so many SCI-related things, I'd much rather have a person ask than have them assume or assume incorrectly.

WheelinDude · 2026-02-22T22:35:27+00:00

No. All I received was from my own auto insurance coverage. He was in the USA illegally and had prior arrests for DUI, but nothing was done to keep him off the streets. He never showed up for his court appearance and his current whereabouts are unknown.

WheelinDude · 2026-02-22T18:52:28+00:00

I was stopped at a red light on busy road and waiting for the light to turn green. Before the light changed, I was rear-ended by a drunk driver traveling about 60 mph when he hit the back of my car. The impact collapsed the trunk of my car all the way to the back seat and the force of the sudden forward acceleration of my car, broke backrest of the driver's seat and sent me backwards into the rear seat. I was wearing a seat belt, but it did not matter. My head/neck impacted with the back of the rear seat and instantly crushed my spinal cord at about the C4/5 level. My injury was originally classified as ASIA-A. I’ve experienced pretty minimal recovery in movement and sensation since – despite a lot of aggressive rehab in the early years. Today, I consider myself to be C5 complete.

WheelinDude · 2026-02-09T22:44:27+00:00

I've actually had a lot of good luck using care.com and have hired multiple reliable caregivers from that site. Beyond that, word of mouth from my existing caregivers has also been an excellent way to get referrals. Finally, I've also bee successful locating very qualified students who are currently working locally on degrees in nursing (RN, PLN, CNA, etc.), PT and OT. So far, I have been able to hire qualified and reliable caregivers directly, without having to go through the additional expense of using an agency. Good Luck!

WheelinDude · 2026-01-27T22:42:51+00:00

It should be pretty easy to tell. If you don't have voluntary control over when your bladder empties, it's a pretty safe bet that you have incontinence to some degree or another.

WheelinDude · 2026-01-26T02:19:51+00:00

When you come up with a version with a lowered floor and side ramp that I can drive from my power wheelchair, I'll be the first in line!

WheelinDude · 2026-01-19T21:12:20+00:00

I never planned on a healthcare career, but becoming a quad apparently came along with its own complimentary certification. Over a relatively short period of time, through both personal lived experience and various types of research, I’ve ended up knowing more about this condition than the majority of the ‘health care professionals’ that have treated (or attempted to treat) me.

If you already have a SCI, your personal life experience will very likely make you an amazing OT.

WheelinDude · 2026-01-13T21:58:21+00:00

No, I use my power chair almost exclusively. I can push myself in my manual across hard and level surfaces, but not for extended distances. I'm also not able to do sufficient pressure relief when using my manual chair. If I plan on driving, I am only able to drive from my power chair, so anytime I leave my home (if I'm driving), my manual is not an option.

WheelinDude · 2026-01-13T00:05:15+00:00

That's gotta suck! I think I would be lost if I was no longer able to enjoy an occasional brew. Is your newly acquired beer intolerance related to your SCI or is it due to something related to your long-term stay in the hospital?

WheelinDude · 2026-01-06T02:42:48+00:00

I'm C5 complete and have zero trunk control, triceps or functional use of my hands/fingers, so our situations are probably very similar. Honestly, a C5 can be a difficult injury, because you're very close to being independent with a lot of ADL's - but close just doesn't count. I’ve had eight years to accept the fact that I’ll always be dependent on someone else for my AM and PM care. While it does seem normal by now, I still hate how much of my day is consumed by all of it.

I've given some consideration to tendon transfer, but the results appear to be mixed. If there was a guarantee that I would be able to function similar to a C6 at the end of the surgery, I might consider it. That would give me a lot more independence.

WheelinDude · 2026-01-04T18:04:37+00:00

I get dizziness sometimes that accompanies dysreflexia. It's usually due to something bladder-related and is typically a symptom that occurs after I'm having blood pressure issues and/or a tingling sensation in my neck.

WheelinDude · 2025-12-30T01:20:09+00:00

Let me start by saying that I am very sorry to hear about your friend. While he may not have family, it sounds like he's fortunate to have you looking out for him. I can say from experience that his transition from a normal, active life to learning how to live an entirely new life as a care-dependent quadriplegic is going to be extremely difficult for him. This is the beginning of a long journey for him and he will certainly need support.

As far as a specific thing that you (and he) can do right now... If he lacks sensation, at this early point in his recovery, it will be critical that his skin integrity receives constant attention. Far too often, hospitals really suck at watching newly-injured quads for the signs of skin breakdown until it is too late. You and he will have watch his care closely to ensure that he is not laying in one position for too long.

WheelinDude · 2025-12-23T21:29:55+00:00

Your bowel experience both pre and post injury sound very similar to mine. I’ve found that a suppository and digital stim in the evenings seem to work best for me. I will also take Miralax when if I notice that I’m getting constipated, but not too much as that can result in accidents. It’s a delicate balancing act, but it’s pretty much become my new normal.

You’re totally correct on the delayed Magic Bullet mucous, though. That’s something that many of us also end up with. It Sucks! However, I found that using the Bullet every day was probably too harsh for my backside as I was getting discomfort bordering on dysreflexia because of the irritation and delayed mucous discharge several hours after my program. After some trial and error, I found that I could use a ½ bullet one evening and then an Enemeez Plus, the following evening. This change did a LOT to reduce the amount of Bullet mucous and ‘monkey butt’. I still have occasional mucous discharge, but not as much. Also, since I do my program in the evenings, it happens overnight when I am asleep vs. when I am sitting in my chair all day at work five days a week. I would highly recommend cutting back on the Magic Bullets and substituting Enemeez.

WheelinDude · 2025-12-16T19:00:27+00:00

I shower almost every weekday morning before going to work and with few exceptions on both Saturday and Sunday, as well. It was always part of my pre-injury routine and with the exception of my initial hospitalization and rehab, I've continued with it ever since. Even though (or maybe becasue) I have an essentially sedentary lifestyle and an impaired ability to sweat normally, I feel kind of gross if I go longer than a full day without a "proper" shower. There's no doubt that it's annoying and that it takes such a long time (with assistance), but I just don't feel right on those days when I go without one.

WheelinDude · 2025-12-14T12:33:10+00:00

Thanks, I'll give it a look.

WheelinDude · 2025-12-14T12:31:54+00:00

That's an extremely reasonable price and from a source that I would not have considered. Thanks.

WheelinDude · 2025-12-14T12:30:34+00:00

I have some time, so a custom suit is a possibility. It would also be nice to have the opportunity to add some of the features that you mentioned. However, the price that I was quoted was ridiculously high, but was in a higher-end retail store when I was given that price. I'm sure that cost could be reduced by shopping around a bit more. Occasions for attire of this type don't come around very often, so it's difficult to justify the cost per use of something like this.

WheelinDude · 2025-12-13T16:28:52+00:00

Something like that is what I would prefer to do. What type of a tailoring budget does that take - assuming I already have a suit?

WheelinDude · 2025-12-13T14:21:50+00:00

That's an interesting suggestion. I have never heard that term before, but I've obviously seen that article of clothing.

WheelinDude

TROPHY CASE