What are we waiting for in “Adaptive Fashion” ??

I recently read an interesting blog on “Adaptive Clothing” (see link below blog) that talks of all of the “new and innovative” clothing lines available for disabilities.

This was my response to the editor:

“We have been in the adaptive clothing business since 2001.
As a matter of fact – we, Dignity by Design, introduced Adaptive Fashion to the world.
For years we went to investors, we pitched, we were up for awards. We were, and are, considered the leaders and experts in adapted fashionable clothing, without a stigmatized “adaptive” appearance. Yet we couldn’t make the investment market take notice – not enough to invest real $$.
The main brands that are referenced in this blog simply modify their current lines “enough” to be considered adapted – but there’s so much more to adapted clothing: Materials, cut, price, style and research.

If this market truly is going to approach $393 billion by 2026, then perhaps my readers can point us to the people that are serious about disabled fashion, investing in this market and providing a real solution that will capture the market with integrity and purpose – not just a quick fix. “

Donna Freeberg for Dignity By Design http://www.dignitybydesign.com

http://blog.diversitynursing.com/blog/new-adaptive-clothing-lines-for-people-with-disabilities?success=true&fbclid=IwAR3_yYY-zSzRbHPm5CL1q67cesI4chLqlHBf9Z9dilCwPi1c72xgNi-kQX4

DIVERSITY

It’s a harsh world we live in.

Diversity acceptance should be the norm – but it’s not. We rarely accept our own differences – the ones that make us unique, let alone accept what is foreign to us or is a challenge to our norms.

How we deal with encountering diversity will measure us:

• We can either look the other way,
• Engage awkwardly as if some “kindly act”,

…..or perhaps we simply open our arms and hearts and listen and learn.

That’s humanity.

“I have an autoimmune disease…..

“I have an autoimmune disease…..

I just wish more people understood . . . what I have is not a cold or the flu. I will never get better. A nap won’t help. I’m on meds to keep me alive because my cells attack all cells thinking all cells are bad – but this kills good cells which are in the body to help me.

Please, in honor of someone who is fighting Fibromyalgia, Lupus, Sarcoidosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hepatitis, Diabetes, Celiac, Lupus, PBC, CIDP, UC, Crones, Hashimotos . . . (copy, and paste).”   -author unknown

In RESPONSE:  At Dignity by Design*, I work with ALL of the diseases that are mentioned above – and many, many more.

It is true – people are not aware of – nor cannot truly empathize with – the inner struggles associated with individual disabilities (nor outer struggles for that matter).  It’s difficult for anyone dealing with a disability to be patronized, or awkwardly sympathized with, or to have to “describe” or “qualify” one’s self over and over, day in – day out. When the world doesn’t see a “cookie-cutter” human – they often turn away or literally act incapable of natural human interaction – simply due to their personal discomfort. 

Here is my advice: GET OVER IT!  Deal with all humans with respect and actual INTEREST in them as human beings – not diseases.  Get to know the PERSON – not the disability….. then all else will fall into place.  Maybe… a new friendship, maybe…. Better understanding of your partner or child or parent. 

Diversity is what makes the world go round – Embrace it!

donna@dignitybydesign.com
www.dignitybydesign.com

Gun Control, Political Agenda, Human and Disability Rights…….

To all of my FB, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram followers and friends:
Hereby unfriend, untweet, unpin and unchat me……if you want to sway
my opinions and convictions on:

A) Massive gun control for assault and automatic
weapons – I believe that they do kill people. Period.
Also, If you spend more time defending your
weaponry than you do defending and assisting the
daily rights and options for disabled, homeless and
poor – or fighting bigotry
………….Please unfriend me.

B) Women’s rights and Planned Parenthood: I believe
that women have the right to own their reproduction.
Period. I believe that the organizations that uphold
these hard earned rights and medical services should
be supported and upheld.

C) That political agendas should be unmasked
(on all sides) and only work for the benefit of all people – not the wealthy –
but for the average working American.  I also believe that there
will never be a true democracy without socialized medicine and
uniform drug and pharmaceutical regulations.

If it is your opinion that the thought of the day is more important than a friendship or a human’s well being – if you think that your “post” will sway ethical and moral convictions that have taken 60 years to develop………..absolutely, unfriend me.  I’ll survive…. guaranteed.  

Recognition to (dis)Abilities by the Investment World?…Well, knock me over!

Sunday evening – June 7, 2015 – Dignity by Design (my company) was notified that it had become a semi-finalist in the Minnesota Cup Competition!!

This may not mean so very much to those out of state or globally, but to Minnesota it means a great deal.  And to a company that has dedicated its entirety to disabilities and the independence of the disabled, veteran and elderly…..well, it is unprecedented!!

For years, decades and historically – Disabilities have eluded investors as a non-glamorous, non-high-tech, non-money-making market.  However, with the onset of disabilities hitting the runway in fashion, new technological advances in disease, war aftermath, community inclusion and software (including apps) rising to meet the needs of disabilities – it has become a viable “Social Impact” venture to investors and media worldwide.

It’s about time!

“When we’ve risen to meet the needs of our fellow man/woman – to create an environment that allows for independence, recognition of abilities and respect of worth – as a whole – regardless of ability or disAbility – then, we have truly evolved.”  Donna Freeberg

Thank you MNCup for your recognition.  It is amazing!

MN Cup

Donna Freeberg, President
Dignity by Design – Fashion for all disAbilities
http://www.dignitybydesign.com

SNAKE Oil: Is THIS what sells your product??

We’ve been suckered in…time and again to…. the marketing traps, right?

“WE’VE FOUND THE ANSWER…BURIED FOR YEARS!!!
Read on….”

“MEDICAL MIRACLE THAT YOUR DR. DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW!! Read on…” 

“FINALLY A CURE FOR CANCER!! 
(Wrinkles, gout, insomnia, depression, weight gain, failing business)… with these two Risk Free MIRACLE Products…… Read on.“

….And you  DO read on.…page after page…because the mystery is not quite ready to be revealed!!  (….definitely not until that plastic card is out of your wallet and you’ve been reeled in: Hook, LIE and Sinker. )

SERIOUSLY WORLD: IF YOU HAD THE CURE FOR A LIFE THREATENING DISEASE, DEATH, BLINDNESS, MAJOR WEIGHT LOSS, SAGGING SKIN, HAIR LOSS….whatever…. Wouldn’t you plaster that news top and center of your very first paragraph????

And if this supplier HAS THE CURE for suffering in his/her greasy little hand…don’t you find it inhumane and cruel to keep it from the masses until it’s become the next New York Times Bestseller, or “Over a Million Sold” product??

Personally, I just erase these emails from my inbox and never click the side posts on FB.   But/and – as of late – these “urgent messages” and “inbox spams” are showing up on LinkedIn as invited contacts. WTF??
Yes, that’s right …the online bible of business has succumbed!

But we’re not safe until we “Just say NO”.  We can do this folks, say no to the new age of the “Snake Oil Salesman”  

Disability Fashion: Look at Who’s Front and Center in the NEWs!

Disabled models – on the runway – on the front pages of major news communication AND being featured on the webpages of new – up and coming – clothiers. Fabulous, right??

ALL jumping on the bandwagon to visually “support” the disabled and in return gaining significant “Feel good” press…. HOWEVER with little or no exceptions… providing absolutely no products that are specific solutions to the disabled market’s clothing needs, outside of their general clothing line.

Putting disabled models on the runway and not providing specialized benefits is what the disabled already HAS, what they have always dealt with and simply put: marketing and publicity play at it’s worst.

This offends me on so many levels.

http://returnondisability.com/disability-market/

It’s more than time to recognize this market in the investment world, in the fashion world, in the business community and for it’s Global impact.
And.. It’s time for a real change…. a real answer… and some heavy funding to make this a multi-billion dollar industry:  By doing good, serving disabilities and making a profound, dignified CHANGE!!

DIGNITY BY DESIGN ENTERPRISE

https://angel.co/dignity-by-design-enterprise
Angel.com for Dignity by Design

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Share this with all investors, angels, philanthropic communities, Veteran’s organizations and Disability advocates.

Making a REAL change for the Disabled!

The Emperor’s New Clothes: Disability Offerings or an Illusion?

There is much on the global runway today that is addressing disabilities and fashion.  Models are entering the runways in designs from the best houses of fashion.  My colleagues, with disabilities, are finally being focused on – for the first time – for the beautiful people that they are – disability or no.

 

But is this just a showing for the designers, spotlighting their “compassionate” nature, and garnering headlines?  The clothing is not made exclusively for the disabled – and although it’s very lovely – it does not address the issue of fashion for disabilities.

I believe that it’s opportunistic.  My clothing line “Dignity by Design” is made specifically for disabled, Veterans and the elderly.  (www.dignitybydesign.com)

We have struggled for years to get recognition by investors and angels, Why?:

• Not enough of a market (5 million Americans and returning Veterans….not enough?)
• “We don’t understand the disabled community”. (How about getting to know them?)
• “We don’t understand the manufacturing/clothing market…too unstable”. (Does “Fubu” ring familiar?)
• “It’s not technology…. and the return in the technology industry is more guaranteed.”  (Although, with an 80% failure rate – the ROI is far from guaranteed.)

…The need IS real for the 5 million Americans alone, struggling with clothing issues, not having adequate resources and unable to afford designer prices – even if the clothing was made for their needs?

Please post your concerns or interest – because I am mystified at the apathy and lack of concrete solutions provided, thus far, for the daily needs of professional and social disabled citizens.  We have always had the answer!

Partnering with Dignity by Design:

MINNESOTA ANGEL INVESTORS: $$$$ Tax Breaks $$$

Minnesota’s Angel Tax Credit provides a 25-percent credit to investors or investment funds that put money into startup companies focused on high technology, new proprietary technology, or a new proprietary product, process or service in specified fields. The maximum credit is $125,000 per person, per year ($250,000 if filing jointly). The credit is refundable. Residents of other states and foreign countries are eligible.

Available Funding

                A total of $16 million in tax credits is available, divided into two parts:

• $7.5 million is reserved until Sept. 30 for investments in businesses owned by women or minorities or in businesses located in Greater Minnesota. As of 1/26/2015, $6.0 million remains. After Oct. 1, any remaining tax credits not allocated to these targeted businesses will be made available to others.
• Another $8.5 million in credits (including unused credits from 2014) is available for investments in other businesses. As of 1/26/2015, $5.5 million remains.

Dignity by Design Enterprise
Angel.co/Dignity by Design

Proprietary Social Impact product: 
Professional Clothing made exclusively for 
the Disabled, Elderly 
and Veteran

Seeking experienced Investors in:
Manufacturing, Disabilities, Fashion or Military Veterans 

Veterans of the United States And to all that have fallen before you:

I want to take this moment to show my gratitude to you, personally.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Family:

The most influential Veteran in my life was my Dad: Leslie Walton. My Dad was part of the glory, sacrifice and triumph of WWII.  He was a pilot in the Army Air Corps, (before it became the Air Force as we know it today); he lost his leg in an airplane accident and spent a year in the hospital recovering.  His aeronautical triumphs continued after the war with Honeywell.  He loved flying, he loved his country, he was a man of honor and a great father.  And my mother was by his side – every step of the way – through thick and thin. They were the inspiration for my company:
Dignity by Design.  (www.dignitybydesign.com)

Country: I hope that these images will be as inspirational to you as they were to me:

(Minneapolis Institute of Art – 5/2014)

http://www.dignitybydesign.com  “Serving the disabled and Veterans globally”