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

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!

Non-Profits: What Are you Really asking of…and giving to… your Donors?

Every year – every quarter – every day….Nonprofits look to their donors to keep their
mission alive. No trade secret exposed there, right?

And although this has been the same expectation since the first nonprofit took to the soapbox and preached it’s message to any and all that could hear…..the fact is: giving is down and there is always another “cause” directly around the corporate corner.

Let’s step back and Shake It Up……Business 101 style!

You have a Mission Statement. Right? …… When was the last time that you took this out of mothballs, shook it out and proudly proclaimed it to the world at large?

What do you do? Who do you serve? 

Do your donors – future sponsors – or your neighborhood Grocer – KNOW the righteous deeds that you do or the milestones you’ve obtained…… or simply that your service exists??

The world of Social Media, Crowdfunding and Corporate Sponsorships offers to Nonprofits new territory and virtually free marketing…..seize the day!

REVITALIZE and RECHARGE
Engage with your donors, your clients and your neighbors!

Open the office to a meet and greet
Sponsor a “Morning Coffee Intro” at a neighborhood coffee shop
Visit a rehabilitation facility with Coffee, Tea and rolls

…..Communication and Engagement on a personal level, as well as a strong
online presence will keep your message and mission vital.

REVITALIZE and RECHARGE

We want to know about you…..before you’re gone.  

www.linkedin.com/in/dfreeberg

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 

Recapping the Year? Perhaps a tad……but first: Happy Holidays to All from Dignity by Design!

First and foremost:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all and may we all have Enough….

May the holidays enlighten us to diversity, and usher in a new year of Dignity for all!

As for this year and Dignity by Design: We’ve had our ups and downs. It continues to be a challenge to enlighten the financial community on the importance of disability services and products for the disabled, veterans and elderly.  When I say may we all have Enough….I mean that we should all have enough dignity, enough respect, enough joy and enough Ability to love ourselves and feel blessed with what we do have…..

It’s not easy in these tough economic, employment and Social Media crazed times to be
grateful for the hard times, the sick times, the lonely times and the times of loss.  So with the Holidays upon us, I wish you Enough…. enough strength, love and fortune to anticipate 2015 with hope and a renewed joy!

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”

Crowdfunding. Where do you stand??

So much is written about, blogged about (and posted on every site imaginable about) Crowdfunding.

There are experts with webinars (I’ve personally attended my fair share) – experts at the podium and experts on the street corner (AKA: Will work for….).

I, too, have a Crowdfunding post/site….which, by all accounts, is not doing well:  http://www.gofundme.com/dignitybydesign

I really don’t know why.  The facts are:

• I do need the funds, pursuing a dream (even the most noble) isn’t cheap and can be seriously devastating to your finances.
• I have a lot of friends and followers
• I’m up against the BIG DOGS and they are ruthless

So what are your thoughts dear readers?

Are we just so deluged by scammers, opportunists, the hard hit economy, elections and politics – to recognize an authentic need…even if it’s your neighbor next door?