Join the HandiCrip Movement: Accessible Clothing for All

Our son was born with 1P36 Deletion syndrome and 12p13.33 Duplication Syndrome. He more importantly was born with a resilience that's unmatched and a purpose beyond my wildest dreams. Every day he drives himself and our family towards a common goal. To revolutionize the stigma on individuals with special needs. In 2020 I was told my son would never know who I was, walk, talk or live a normal life. In that moment I knew the stigma was broken. The offering of “It’s okay to walk away from special needs” “It’s okay to not have to deal with it”, was not acceptable for me or my wife. We knew our son was to be “A different breed of special needs”. To change the stigma, we chose to change our approach. Unapologetically ourselves, the HandiCrip Community was formed. We do not want to be soft and fragile; we do not want to be seen as weak or unlucky. We simply desire to be given the respect and fair chance to the happy life everyone is given. No sympathy or sorrow is welcomed for having a life with a disability. Support, advocate, and most importantly smile.

The main approach of this company and movement is 3 core goals. We also strive to maintain a balance of 50% apparel awareness and 50% handicapped accessible clothing and garments. Our shirts will be Produced by Curbside Apparel in OKC, a company who employs the homeless. We couldn't think of a better thing then the Homeless helping the Handicapped and vice versa.

1. Handicapped Accessible clothing and garments for all disabilities. There are common struggles in the HandiCrip community that will be addressed, to alleviate and reduce the mental and physical impact they can have. My company will develop, innovate and improve a variety of stylish clothing and garments needed and cater to the life of anyone with a disability. The first two designs include the “Crip Grip”, which are comfortable non-restrictive gloves, to minimize and deter hand biting and the “Crip Capes”, a special designed shirt that has a stylish cape to remind them they are superheroes but that also doubles as a detachable bib. Handicapped Clothing will always be at the forefront of our thoughts and actions

2. Apparel Awareness. The first time I heard 1P36 deletion syndrome I realized how little I knew and saw of the handicapped community. That is the second biggest goal at HandiCrip Clothing Company, to raise awareness for not just 1p36 Deletion Syndrome but all disabilities. This company will produce products that provide an environment of growth, strength, and confidence. We are here to bring a voice to “a different breed of special needs”. That is our motto and creed. This apparel will open the world’s eyes and minds to a community that is different yet similar. Awareness is only as strong as the voices yelling for it. We at HandiCrip Clothing Company aim to be a strong example of resilience through all situations and show that smiles and laughs get us through.

3. Give Back. This business will not be started with the intentions of financial gain. HandiCrip Clothing Company was established with aspirations to honor and donate a portion of profits back to a multitude of different charities, foundations, and trusts. With a positive relationship we would like to honor all parties including but not limited: Addiction help groups, Homeless Help Groups, Military Groups, veteran trusts, disability groups and any and everyone who supports our company and believes in our revolution. The hope is to be able to leave my disabled son in a state to where he will never have to wonder what his life goal was. He gets to live his mission daily by simply being “a different breed of special needs”. The definition of what makes this brand what it is.

This movement and idea are bigger than any purpose I could have chosen for my life. This has the potential to echo through communities and give a new strength to them all. The goal set is to fund the first print of awareness shirts and the first round of R&D towards the handicapped accessible clothing and accessories. The hope in doing it this way is also to provide it as a continual community investment that is run by the community it benefits and is designed for. I look forward to being able to help and solve problems in any and all related clothing and accessories. I'm also a firm believer in the phrase "if you don't laugh about it, you'll cry about it". Thats where this idea came from. A joke in a comedy set. I aspire to take that approach into all of the awareness T-shirt. To take an approach we can all get behind and smile about. Let the laughs outweigh the tears in a community so deserving.