Heidi McKenzie figured in a car accident that has rendered her a T4 paraplegic, paralyzed from the chest down, since that one fateful day in 2007. And, part of her daily struggle is finding a pair of jeans tailored for her and other people in similar situation because there's just not much option available.
The 29-year-old woman from Kentucky decided to take it upon herself to design and create fashionable and functional clothing for people in wheelchairs, and ask for cash pledges via a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to realize the fashion design project.
McKenzie started the clothing line "Alter UR Ego" and collaborated with North Carolina designer Kristin Alexandra Tidwell and Quality Plus Apparel for production. The team envisions providing comfortable and adaptable blue jeans for the men and women of the wheelchair community, and let them express their "alter ego" through fashion, breaking the social barriers.
"Being cute and comfortable is what sells jeans to able bodied people and they have so many options to pick from," McKenzie told Huffington Post. "Being adaptive and functional is what sells to those in wheelchairs so that is the main focus ... cute is not a priority. I want to give people in wheelchairs options so we can look good and feel good too."
The design of the jeans include accessible front pockets, tummy control panel, high-waisted back, elastic waistband, special straps, and catheter opening. The jeans would be made out of spandex and cost $80 each, according to Mashable.
Since the launch of the crowdfunding campaign, more than 150 individuals have pledged their support and donated $11,403 for the cause. The campaign which needs $20,000 will end on Saturday, Aug. 29.