Gold Coast mother creates revolutionary shorts

Sharon Noetzel, a resourceful mother from the Gold Coast, has ventured into clothing design to address the unique needs of individuals living with disabilities. Inspired by her son, Mikey, who battled Duchenne muscular dystrophy and relied on an electric wheelchair from the age of 11, Noetzel has created a range of shorts that revolutionise the dressing experience for those facing similar challenges.

“Toileting was one of the biggest hurdles Mikey and I encountered over the years,” shared Noetzel. Determined to find a solution, she ingeniously designed shorts that simplified the process. At first glance, the shorts appear like regular board shorts, but they feature velcro instead of traditional seams. The velcro runs down the middle and along both legs, allowing for effortless dressing and undressing.

“When assisting Mikey in the restroom, all I had to do was undo the velcro. Once he was done, it was a simple matter of pressing it back together. Mikey wore these shorts every day thereafter, and we never experienced accidents or difficulties with toileting again,” Noetzel explained.

Sadly, Mikey passed away in April 2021. In honour of her beloved son’s memory, Noetzel has launched “Mikey’s Shorts”, a collection specifically designed to make toileting significantly easier for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. Through this venture, she aims to extend the benefits Mikey experienced to others in similar situations.

“These shorts are a testament to Mikey’s legacy, and it is my sincere hope that they can provide the same level of assistance and comfort to others that they brought to Mikey and me,” expressed Noetzel.

Mikey’s Shorts are now available for purchase in a variety of sizes, colours and designs, catering to the diverse needs and preferences of individuals in the disabled community.

Enquiries: mikeysshorts.com.au