SPINALLIFE

The collaboration with ASOS has been a rare example of a fashion company not just considering the needs of disabled individuals but taking time to work with someone who has first-hand experience. I asked Chloe what the reaction to this collaboration has been like.

"I think the proof is in the pudding with the jumpsuit. There are more than 70 articles about it from all corners of the globe and growing. More importantly, when people saw what I had done on Twitter it started the conversation for other people with disabilities to talk about what they needed."

Chloe makes a very good point, as disabled customers we should be speaking to retailers about the lack of choice and what we would like to see in the shops. As an industry, they seem to be missing out on a huge gap in the market that could be very profitable for those willing to address the matter. Speaking to the BBC, James Taylor from disability charity Scope said that "It's great to see big brands like ASOS tapping into the disabled customer market. Disabled people and their families in the UK have enormous spending power. We hope moves like this will lead the way for other businesses, challenging attitudes towards disability to open fashion up for everyone."

It would be unrealistic to expect a full shop dedicated to high street fashion for wheelchair users, but some choice would be appreciated. Chloe summed up the feelings of many wheelchair users by saying "We don't want to have to look like we are just doing practicality, we still want to be able to look fashionable."

Many thanks to Chloe for taking the time to speak with us and for being a great ambassador for wheelchair users. Hopefully we will see more collaborations and more choice in the near future.

A few years ago, Steven decided to tell his story by writing a blog. Now Spinal Life Scotland is happy to share that story with you.

The Whole Truth will continue to feature in future editions of Spinal Life Scotland.