Pants
Object number2018.138.10
Date1995-2000
OriginMexico
MediumCotton; Plastic; Metal; String
Credit LineGift of Holly Dick
DescriptionBrown cotton pants lined with white fabric on the inside. The brown zipper has a gold keyring attached to it for easier access.DimensionsLength x Width x Depth: 45 × 23.25 × 24 in. (114.3 × 59.1 × 61 cm)MarksDesigner label states "[palm tree] Palm Beach". The other tag states "46". The care tag states "MACHINE WASH / WARM / DARK COLORS / SEPERATELY / TUMBLE DRY LOW / NON-CHLORINE / BLEACH ONLY / COOL IRON IF / NEEDED / MADE IN MEXICO".
Historical NotesObjects used by Paul Dick, who spent his life in a wheelchair after contracting polio at the age of 14. Paul Dick, who grew up on a farm in Claysburg, PA, contracted polio in September 1954, just as the first polio vaccine was being tested by Jonas Saulk. Two of his sibllings also contracted polio at the same time. He spent time in an iron lung in Altoona hospital, during which time he was completely paralyzed. After rehabilitation in Altoona and Warm Springs, GA, he was able to recover some movement, but would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair. These trousers are typical of the ones worn by Paul Dick for the last 10-15 years of his life. They were made for him by a seamstress in SD. She made clothing for people who spent their lives sitting down in wheelchairs. He also had ponchos made by her. These pants were much larger around the waist and hips because of his sitting down during his waking hours. Key ring added to the zipper pull so that he could hook a finger through it to manipulate the zipper up and down. He used this method until the last few years of his life, when he no longer had the grip and strength to do so. He then purchased pants from "Specially For You" (2018.138.11) which had velcro closures.
Previous owner
E. Paul Dick
(died 2010)
Terms
On View
Not on view
1939-1945
Roundtree & Yorke