There are many reasons a person may need to heal. It could be an accident that impairs their ability to do things, it could be a handicap that they were born with, or any number of other things. Pets are good physical therapy assistants, but sometimes it takes more to ensure that a person feels good on the inside and the out. This often requires a little therapy through fashion and many healthcare professionals feel that it can significantly improve other aspects of a person’s therapy.
The Idea of Fashion Therapy
When you think about someone with any type of handicap, it is often because they look a certain way. Your attention is typically drawn to their handicap, whatever it may be. When a person has an obvious issue, they feel as though all eyes are on it, whether it is a broken arm, a missing limb, or a severe burn scar that they cannot quite cover up. It is something that makes them different and most of us just want to be looked at as ourselves, not as what may hinder or hold us back. Therefore, the idea of fashion therapy takes root in our desire to blend in with the crowd rather than stand out from it.
Looking Better Than Ever
Part of therapy for anyone who is having issues, big or small, is a positive self esteem that they can achieve what they want to. A person with down syndrome can live a normal life with a job and a family if they put their mind to it. The same can be said for all other handicaps. The handicap should be viewed as a strength, because they can overcome it with a little dedication. A wardrobe may seem like something that is insignificant to someone who is striving to make their way in a world where they are unique, but it is quite the opposite. That is why we have colored casts for broken bones, reconstructive surgery for severe scars, and limbs that look like normal limbs for those who need it. Those people go through a lot to be “normal” and they should take it a step further. They should wear the clothes that they enjoy wearing, the makeup that makes them feel good about themselves, and even a little henna over hair dye can come in handy as they age to ensure that they continue to look great.
Never Give Up
A person with a handicap of any kind is going to be faced with a daily challenge of pushing themselves harder than all others have to. Having a physical therapist who knows how hard to push them and clothing that makes them feel great about themselves can both work together to improve self esteem and make it so that they never give up on the things they hope to achieve. By dressing for success, they can be successful. By dressing to impress, they can be impressive. By dressing in a way that makes them feel normal, they can be normal; and that is perhaps the most important thing a person can ask for, with or without a disability.