Fashion for People of All Abilities
Fashion… it’s something we all think about everyday as we get up and get dressed for the day. It’s easy to pick out what you are going to wear for the day. It’s easy for you to button up a shirt or zip up your pants; you don’t even have to think about it, or ask, or rely on anyone for help. However, have you ever considered how hard it may be for someone with a disability to do those things? Being honest, I hadn’t until this past summer when I broke my foot. Breaking my foot required me to be on crutches for nearly 8 weeks. You may wonder what that has to do with fashion? Well it doesn’t, but it did require me to ask people for a lot of help. Something that was difficult for me to do. Even though I knew it was temporary, it was still hard. Imagine having to rely on someone every day, especially with something that should be private, such as getting dressed ?
While my senses were more aware, I heard about a company called PATTI + RICKY. PATTI + RICKY is an “inclusive shopping experience that offers stylish and functional clothing and accessories for women, men, and kids with disAbilities. Shopping does not typically include or embrace difference and individuals with disAbilities. PATTI + RICKY changes this with an inclusive shopping experience for all.”
PATTI + RICKY was founded by Alexandra Connell Herold. The company is named after Alexandra’s mom, Patti, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died from cancer, and her cousin, Ricky, who was unable to walk or talk, but was the epitome of cool. Ricky taught her that you can feel and learn so much from people not only from a voice, but with eyes.
Patti, who was a fashion executive, asked her daughter to look for a leopard print cane after her diagnosis. Unable to find one, Alexandra ended up special ordering a pink cane with roses from a medical supply company. That pink rose print cane became a conversation starter. Alexandra started to look for more stylish options, and while there were some out there, she found it difficult. She started running across some sites for clothing and accessories for people with disabilities, but found it wasn’t a shopping experience at all. Realizing that options were limited for people with disabilities, she decided to start an online marketplace.
PATTI + RICKY has more than 70 designers, most of whom have disabilities themselves. They also sell more than 2,000 products. Some of the items they offer are: shirts and pants with smart closures, belts with velcro closures, fidget jewelry, Braille embossed jewelry, dresses with velcro closures, jeans for wheelchair users, lingerie and hosiery, socks, crutches, wheelchair and walker bags and accessories, emotions patches for vests, and PICC line covers. All their products are selected with Patti and Ricky in mind and with the vision to empower people to do more for themselves. To see a complete list of products, visit their website at https://www.pattiandricky.com/. The website also has a suggestions button where you can ask for specific items. The company donates 10% of their profits to non-profit organizations that “support inclusion and provide access for individuals with disAbilities” each year.
The mission of PATTI + RICKY is to “continue to spread the love, understanding, and acceptance that PATTI + RICKY passed on throughout their lifetimes.” Let’s do the same for the people we support.
To view a short video about this online marketplace, visit https://www.today.com/video/patti-ricky-founder-on-creating-fashions-for-all-abilities-59287109952.
