3 Body Image Interventions & SpringRose Adaptive Bra & OT Resources

TL;DR: check out these very short videos on 6 different ways to don an adaptive bra 

You: “I’m here for the story, Kathryn”

Me: K, cool, buckle up - this is a fun one! 

We’ve all been there.  We’re in the shower with our client.  It’s their first shower since their stroke causing hemiparesis of their left arm.  They’re working hard in rehab to restore motor control, but for now it’s dead weight.  You can tell they're upset, thinking, and about to say something.  And before they list the full account of what they can’t do with their arm they say, “look at me.” 

“Look at me.”

      … “I’m a mess” 

      … “I don’t look so hot”

      … “I can’t be in front of my husband like this”

      … “how can I have sex when I look like this” 

Cue sexually affirming OT/OTA: 

You paraphrase and repeat back what your client said, you validate your client for their feelings saying things like “I understand,” and “this feels really hard right now.”  You ask them permission to talk about sex and body image by saying “would you like to discuss what sex might look like,” or “sounds like you have some concerns about body image, would you like to discuss this?”  

Once out of the shower, you ask your client to elaborate more on what feels hard about being  naked in front of their husband or what they think would be difficult about having sex. 

You start thinking of modifications for sex right away in your brain, but prioritize body image first for intervention.  

1. You explore where she learned that people have to look a certain way in order to be considered attractive or be sexual.   

2. You mention that there seems to be a lot of focus on her arm and ask her if she felt her arm was a particularly sexy part of her body prior to the stroke.  She laughs and says, “No, I never gave it much thought… I don’t even masturbate with my left arm”  You then ask her what parts of her body she finds sexy.  She lists a long list. 

3. She tells you, “I don’t want to have to wear one of those ugly breastfeeding bras - gosh, I remember those - they were hideous!” You laugh and let her know that there are many adaptive ways to put on a bra and that there are even sexy adaptive bras now! 

I’m excited to share an adaptive bra designed with recommendations from Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists, as well as feedback from people with disabilities.  The best part is the attention to sexiness.  Oftentimes adaptive or function-based clothing can be, well, ugly and only in nude colors meant for white folks.  This bra is soft, plunge line, and comes in black or terracotta.  

If you’re interested in learning more about how you can get involved with their future product development or get free samples for your clinic, head to Springrose’s clinician page.  

Also, SpringRose’s blog is a great resource for your clients who are trying to find resources on sexual wellness that are tailored to their unique disability, illness, or surgery.  You’ll find a few articles written by me over there as well as other occupational therapists!