Joanne Nicholson and her son Matthew have launched EmAble, a clothing range designed for people undergoing treatment or illness, in memory of Emily who died from a brain tumour aged 24.
Emily Rhodes died on April 24, 2019, after a battle with a brain tumour that began with seizures in 2016. Joanne, who described hitting "rock bottom" after Emily's death, channelled her grief into creating practical clothing that helps patients retain dignity and control during treatment.
From grief to a lasting legacy
Joanne, her partner Martin, Emily and Matthew had emigrated to Australia in 2012, where Emily started a new job and moved into her first home. When she began having seizures, doctors initially thought stress was to blame, but Emily insisted something more was wrong. An MRI scan confirmed a brain tumour, and a second scan showed two tumours.
She was rushed into surgery in August 2016 but was told the following January that her condition was terminal. Her boyfriend proposed, but later broke off the engagement. Throughout this period, Joanne says Emily was a fighter who never asked "Why me?" but instead was determined to fight "everywhere, every step of the way".
The steroid dexamethasone caused Emily to gain around six stone, going from a size six to eight to a size 18 in a couple of months. The drug made her face swell, and her legs became so swollen she could not walk. Joanne recalls Emily being turned away from a bar because staff thought she was drunk, when she was actually losing her sight.
Designing for comfort and dignity
Joanne drew on her experience working in an NHS radiology department to draft designs, then worked with a product developer and a manufacturer in Portugal to create the range. The hoodies feature strategically placed zips – two for chest access, two on the forearms, and a kangaroo pouch – allowing wearers to open only as much of the garment as needed for procedures like blood draws, IV infusions, chest examinations, port access, ECG monitoring or breastfeeding.
The range also includes two styles of jogging bottoms, one with a standard elasticated waist and another with a stretchy shirred waist to accommodate weight gain or a medical device such as a stoma bag. Zipped openings on the outside of each leg allow access for injections like Herceptin without removing clothing. Drawcords at the ankles provide flexibility for people with lower leg or ankle swelling.
A family project with a purpose
Matthew, 27, came on board with the business and found it helped him cope with the pain of losing his sister. He was treated for PTSD after witnessing Emily's final weeks in a hospice. He credits a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and working on the business with helping him process Emily's death and remember her as she was before her illness.
The hoodie retails at £99.95 and the joggers at £79.95. Joanne and Matthew acknowledge this may be pricey for some, but the clothes are made to last. The business makes only a small profit and covers the costs of product development and production. They have partnered with a Yorkshire-based children's cancer charity and hope to develop a range of kidswear next year. They also plan to grow EmAble's website into a space where patients can connect and share experiences.
