Woman Creates ‘Wheelchair Fashion’ for Those Neglected by Fashion Industry
When a maker devotes time and energy to a passion project that changes lives, others sit up and pay attention. One incredible woman has taken it upon herself to create a clothing line for those let down by the fashion industry.
In 2007, Heidi McKenzie suffered a life-changing tragedy.
At age 21, she was involved in a severe car accident, which left her a T4 paraplegic, meaning she was paralyzed from the chest down and wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life.
McKenzie, however, is not a woman brought down easily.
“I have always kept a positive attitude in regards to my injury, and I live every day to the fullest with a smile on my face.” she said.
Positive indeed.
The injuries sustained by McKenzie would, to many, seem like an ending, but instead of being held back, she pushed forward with great tenacity and strength.
Having earned her degree in small business management in 2011, McKenzie works full time for her father’s company, McKenzie Concrete of Kentucky, volunteers as a mentor at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital and is a member of the Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord Injury – among a host of other things.
Though her strength alone is impressive, as makers, it is her incredible project that we find particularly intriguing.
In 2012, McKenzie was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, where she served as an advocate for others in wheelchairs.
During this time it became glaringly obvious to her that other women in her own situation found it equally hard to find trendy, fun and wearable clothing designed with wheelchair-bound individuals in mind. It was already difficult to feel comfortable and confident, and the lack of suitable clothing was making it worse.
“Adaptable clothing is hard to find, especially if you want to look fashionable,” McKenzie explained.
In an effort to make a change, she teamed with designer Kristin Alexandra Tidwell, to create “Alter Ur Ego,” a fashion line with an opening venture into the world of jeans.
“I’m designing jeans for other people in wheelchairs that are both functional, and fashionable,” she said. “I want to make it possible for those with disabilities to be able to express their ‘alter-ego’ through fashion while breaking down social barriers.”
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Jeans are only the first step, however, as McKenzie promised that “the adaptable jeans are just the beginning of clothing that has all the fashion and all the function for someone in a wheelchair.”
With a Kickstarter campaign in full swing, McKenzie hopes to be in the throws of large-scale US production very soon, which means “wheelchair fashion,” is set to be a promising solution to a very real problem in the near future.
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