New Shoes!

Wheelchair patients who can no longer walk can often, where appropriate, wear fashionable well fitting shoes once again rather than orthopaedic shoes or plain slippers. The idea may not appeal to everyone, but many old people may have once been great 'shoe lovers' and will welcome the idea of wearing something eye-catching once again.

When my mother's brain haemorrhage left her unable to speak or move, I bought her several pairs of beautiful slippers. During the winter she would wear slippers that looked like fluffy boots. One pair was white and the other was white had a simple, but striking pattern on the front. They were very eye-catching and attracted a great deal of attention from staff and visitors. They became a talking point. As my mother cannot speak and has limited understanding of the world around her, these moments meant a great deal to her because it was a reason for people to come across to her and engage in simple conversation. I was delighted when I came to see her one day and discovered the lady in the bed opposite was wearing a pair that were remarkably similar.

We took great care to ensure that there was a mirror by my mother's bed so that she could see her slippers as part of her complete outfit.

Jill