Physically challenged persons can now purchase clothing that will make life even easier.

From strategically positioned velcro connectors, hooks for easy hanging, and fabric that will protect against bacteria, these new-styled clothes will be an answer to many prayers.

And they come in women's and men's sports shirts and denim pants, skirts, sweat tops and bottoms, khaki pants, walking shorts, and jackets.

President of Homes International Consultants, Group of Companies Ltd. -- which is the exclusive distributor of these clothes -- Jenefer Brimmer said the main focus is to provide products that will bring relief to people who are physically challenged.

"The fabric that these clothes are made from cuts down cross contamination.

Someone in a wheel chair won't have bacteria building up causing sores and rashes. And food etc. won't be absorb in the material.'' Ms Brimmer also said the velcro provides no restraints, and the extra pockets with a support pocket for joint problems, and hooks to hang up clothing.

"In the sweat pants there is no elastic. It is really made and designed for people who have challenges putting on clothing,'' Ms Brimmer said.

She added: "This is part of our focus in providing preventive type products, we want to make sure people who need it can get it. We want to help Bermudians have another phase of living.'' Ms Brimmer also said the Government used to supply patients with this type of clothing but now it has become a burden for the families.

"We have had these products in stock since November of last year. Families need to recognise that this could bring comfort to their physically challenged family members.

"We have catalogues for people to look at the items and place their orders.

These things are for adaptability relief.'' Ms Brimmer added that earlier this week she was invited by chairman of the Bermuda Physically Challenged Association, Willard Fox, to do a fashion show so that people at Summer Haven could see the products.

Ms Brimmer also said she would be taking this concept to the Caribbean. She added that the new product, developed by Specially Adapted Products in conjunction with a DuPont subsidiary, is engineered to pamper and protect the body in ways that clothing never has before.

"It is uniquely designed for ease of dressing, reduced stress on joints, and protection from environmental contaminants that cause odour, allergy, cross-contamination, dirt and stains,'' Ms Brimmer said.

"We aimed at a huge and growing market,'' said vice president of Dupont's Initiatives Inc. subsidiary Lynn Bell. "The majority of the adult population that has some kind of limited mobility or dexterity. This includes people of all ages, and incorporates more and more baby boomers every day.'' Mr. Bell added: "Regular clothing fails this audience because it's driven by the whims of fashion and pays little heed to functional needs. "Adaptive clothing also fails: it stigmatises the wearer; satisfies only a portion of the functional requirements and is insufficiently constructed and styled.'' Ms Brimmer said the Specially Adaptable Clothing consists of classically styled sportswear tops and bottoms, including sweats for men and women.

"This product does not trade down fashion for function,'' she said. "It looks like it stepped out of a department store window, but that is a great camouflage for its special benefits and it is the reason that we're selling it through quality-of-a-life retail centres rather than through traditional clothing store.'' Wilard Fox said he thought the clothes to be very interesting. "We are definitely in need of this type of product and I believe that it will be a success once it gets around to the hospitals, as it can also be used for extended care patients and stoke victims etc.'' Mr. Fox also said he found the material on the clothing to be soft on the body, easy to maintain.

"They are also very easy to put on and fasten up along with being comfortable to wear. I have already ordered a few things for myself.

"If a person has one arm these clothes make it easy for them to dress themselves as there are no buttons -- except for the look -- and no zippers.

Everything is velcro.'' Mr. Fox added: "The look is there, you would never know the difference between regular clothes and this product. They are also suitable for able bodied people.''