Hey guys.

I really hate to ask for assistance. Strangers on the internet have already been such a big help to me in the push to get my wheelchair funded and stuff.

However, I’m trying to get my life together and use the little time I have left well and for good. I am starting to design clothing for people in wheelchairs.

My name is cat. I’m 20 years old, queer, trans and Indigenous Australian, and I need a hand to get started.

one of the big problems faced in a wheelchair is clothing that makes life more comfortable and easy to live in. Clothing designed for walkers aren’t designed with people with low or no mobility in mind, which makes lots of things, such as easily using the bathroom, really difficult and uncomfortable. Clothing meant to be worn on straight, standing legs can wrinkle uncomfortably and cause pressure lines and pain on the skin and to the body.

but, on the positive side, being in a wheelchair gives a lot of room for very interesting and beautiful designs and cuts. I want to design clothing from the everyday, like jeans and plain skirts, to cocktail dresses, pencil skirts and other sexy pretty things like corsets and girdles. I also plan to release punny shirts with slogans like “armchair activist” and “cybernetically enhanced” — since I personally love positive jokes about my life and my disabilities.

This is where you guys come in

I need money to buy supplies like fabrics, tools and notions. The bare minimum I need to begin design prototypes is at least $250.  I receive no pension or assistance and I cannot work to earn money to fund this project myself.

I am not interested in making a profit. I am going to sell my work for as little as I can — cost of materials and a little extra so that I can pay for food and, you know, all that other stuff. I’m not interested in making tonnes of money. I’m interested in helping other disabled folks be comfortable and fancy, and give mobility impaired people affordable clothing and fashion that is made by us, for us

if you want to donate, the paypal account I am using is silverdrag99@hotmail.com(it’s actually my boyfriend’s address but before God I swear your donations are safe). I have no time limit on this project beyond the time constraints of my own life.

have no money but want to help? I need other artists and designers willing to donate their work/sell for as much as I can afford to give to be used as shirt, sticker and dress designs. I won’t be able to give much, and I know advertisement for your work is worth jack shit when you have bills to pay, but anything you can contribute for the little I have to give would be above and beyond wonderful

have no idea how else to help because you aren’t artsy? I can still use your help! If you are partially or completely reliant on the use of a wheelchair or scooter, or know someone who is, drop me a message! I need to hear your voices on design ideas, the problems you face with walking clothing, the measurements of your body if you are willing to give, and of course, I need guinea pigs!

don’t want to give money? if you want to donate supplies, then by all means, you can. I need thread, bobbins, muslin/calico for mock ups, machine needles, quality fabric sheers, a fabric measurement grid for my table, french curves, tracers, tracing paper, grommet setters, fabric markers and other tools and notions. any donations of supplies are extremely welcome; please message me if you would like to give. any supplies, including donations of old machines/overlockers would be so so useful.

please reblog this if you can. i am anxious to begin this journey and to help other people!

thanks

cat