RE: Coats – Put a zipper in back?

From: Rich Clingman

To: DMD Forum Support Mailing List

Date: June 17, 2001

(I am waiting on feedback on this item.)

QUESTION: Since it seems it would be advantageous to have the coat "open in the back", is this something for which we could supply instructions--inserting a zipper down the back of a standard jacket? That should not be a difficult process to document, nor to do. Would this meet the need?

Also…

As a part of the work in "Living For Today", I want to brainstorm "resources" we can use--*not* where we appear "the needy little family", but where we can "give opportunity" for others to put their concern into action. MANY people are *waiting* for such opportunities!

If presented with clear instructions, the owner of a local craft & sew shop probably knows someone "who would LOVE" to make the alteration. That is *not* "begging". That is "providing opportunity" to others. Mom would still purchase the jacket, zipper and other supplies. The "caring person" would invest the *action*.

----------- A Follow-up ----

A couple more comments…

1) The zipper could be UPSIDE-DOWN so Mom hooks it together at the collar and then PULLS DOWN the zipper. It seems like that would make things a lot easier. The zipper could also be left half-UP so the jacket isn't tight around the waist.

There is often a need to reach though the coat sleeves to pull the boy’s hand through…

2) Would it be helpful to install a zipper on the *sleeves*? Something like a 6" or 9" zipper on the bottom seam of each sleeve? That might make it easier to "reach in" and easier to get the boy's hand through the ribbing (cuff).

This article is from Living For Today, Preparing For Tomorrow. From Parents. To Parents. A Parent's Guide to Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This book is dedicated to the parents and guardians who battle against their worries, who must prepare for tomorrow and yet grab hold of today, striving to make today the best day for their children and family.

"Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own." MATTHEW 6:34 NIV

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