Embracing fashion with a cane

We’d love to introduce you to Sylvia Chengo. She is a lifestyle, fashion and beauty content creator who lives in London. She has two children who are her world and fuel her purpose in all the work she does in disability advocacy.

Sylvia spends her time working and volunteering in the sight loss charity sector, holding a position in a committee and working to improve opportunities for disabled families. In her local community, Sylvia visits schools, local radio, groups and gatherings to deliver Disability Awareness talks and share information of the services available.

As a content creator, Sylvia has built up her platform online as a safe space with an engaged community. She shares her love of fashion, embraces her cane, and celebrates self care in her everyday life.

Your mobility aid does not spoil your outfit

Fashion and function can go hand in hand, and Sylvia’s approach is a shining example of this. She prioritises comfort, ensuring her hands remain free from bags and other items. This consideration enables her to enjoy her love for fashion while maintaining the practicality needed for her mobility.

Sylvia sees her cane as an extension of herself. She highlights the independence it has given her, celebrating her journey with pride.

I used to quickly put away my cane before taking pictures, but now I keep it on me proudly.

For Sylvia, her wardrobe is about wearing what she loves, regardless of the situation. She joyfully of expresses her individuality.

We love to celebrate stories like Sylvia’s, which encourage us all to wear what we love, feel comfortable, and embrace the tools that help us live our best lives. Your mobility aid does not spoil your outfit.

Sylvia says

When choosing an outfit, for me the most important things are:

1. Comfort. My shoes need to be comfortable as my balance has reduced a lot over the years, I could take a tumble at any moment. Especially because I can no longer tell what’s on the floor!

2. Fashion must be white cane friendly. I need to have a free hand to carry my cane and use it when I need to. So any bag, clothes, outfits need to be comfortable while doing so.

3. Fun. I need to find joy in my outfit. Most of the time, patterns and colours are it for me.

4. MAYBE where I’m going. Maybe. Sometimes I just wear what I want anyway! Because again, it’s not that deep.

I used to quickly put away my cane before taking pictures, but now I keep it on me proudly. Unfolded if I need to, or folded if I want to. It is an extension of me and I am so proud to have gotten this far in my journey, and so proud of the independence it has given me!

How do you find joy in your outfits?