Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a genetic condition that weakens the muscles and causes movement difficulties.
It is a serious condition which worsens over time but there are treatments to help manage the symptoms. Spinal Muscular Atrophy can cause arms and legs to feel floppy or weak. It can also cause problems with movement such as difficulty sitting up, crawling or walking. Some people suffer with twitching or shaking muscles (often referred to as tremors). SMA can also create bone and joint problems such as an unusually curved spine. It can cause breathing difficulties and issues with swallowing.
There are many different types of Spinal Muscular Atrophy which start at different ages and some types are more serious than others.
Weakened muscles can often cause difficulties in gripping, movement and dexterity. At Able2 Wear, we have worked with our customers to develop a range of clothing and accessories that are adaptable for people who use wheelchairs. For example, we have a collection of popular wheelchair trousers and wheelchair shorts (available in a drop front or elasticated waist design), and a range of waterproofs and fleeces for wheelchair users. None of our products include zips or buttons which can be fiddly and difficult to use for people with weakened muscles and joint problems.