This was the part of the process that I looked least forward too. I am not a fan of any type of clothes shopping let alone shopping for a gown. At the malls fitting rooms are not always wheelchair friendly. If they happen to have a stall that is large enough for the wheelchair to get in it is usually by the store for extra storage space.... or as a dumping ground for the clothes people don't want, or the worst is when it is in use by someone that does not need it, even though their are 6 other available ones that I can not fit in. Most times I just buy the clothes, bring them home, try them on and if they don't fit return them. That approach was not going to work this time around.
I decided to make David's Bridal my first stop in my quest, When I made the appointment I was upfront and told them I am a bride that uses a wheelchair, so this will not be your typical appointment and i will probably need more time then most brides. I was told on the phone oh that is not going to be a problem..... I thought yes ok, you say that now we will see if you really mean it. I was not holding my breath and honestly had no expectations about finding a dress after all, it was only the first stop.
My appointment was a Sunday in April which meant not only was it packed with other brides searching for their perfect dress, it was also packed with teenage girls looking for the perfect prom dress. (future brides keep that in mind when going to David's) When we checked in at the podium the person seemed kind of surprised I was the bride, go figure. But I was told someone would be right out to get me.
After waiting for about 20 minuets past my appointment time someone did come out to take me back to a room. They said they had to for a room to open that I could fit in, because they did not know I was in a chair. Yes I did tell them that when the appointment was made, I guess it did not make it to the scheduler... not surprised.
Once we got to to the fitting room which was just big enough my chair, 3 of my bridesmaids and close the door. I was greeted my a very nice lady that said she was going to be helping me today. I asked her if she had ever worked with a bride who used a wheelchair, she was like nope, this is new to me. She then politely asked me how she could best help me when it came to getting the dresses off an on, I said just let my friends help me and we will be fine. She said ok an went to pull the dresses for me.
After getting I first gown on, which was a bit of an acrobatic experience for my friends she told be to go to the room next door to look in the mirror. This room was a double wide room (I think it is normally used for alterations) with 360 degree mirrors. Just what every woman wants to see.... Anyway, After looking at at that dress in the mirror and going back to the small room to put on dress number two and repeat the process my matron of honor was like this is stupid this room is so much bigger and they are not using it why don't we stay here. The woman was like sure why not. We continue the process of trying on dress for the next hour, Sara Colleen and Lauren got the system down to a science an the staff from David's even jumped in and was helping support me while we were zipping zippers etc. She was very attentive and quickly learned the style of dress that worked best for me. She even offered suggestions of her own. All in all a very successful day and I indeed said YES to a dress. See below:
Come on did you really think I would give that away!
Yer another example of how we get things done one way or another!
