As the parent of any child with special needs will confirm, helping your son or daughter to fit in with the world around them can be part and parcel of daily life - something which isn't always easy.
Unwilling to let her son feel alienated among his peers, one mother from the United States set about designing a range of clothes which would ultimately allow her child to feel the 'same' as other children, but would also cater to his unique set of needs.
Inspired by her son's understandable desire to fit in with classmates, Mindy Scheier established Runway of Dreams - a non-profit fashion line which customises clothes to suit the needs of the individual.
Offering an insight into the motivation behind the line, Mindy explained that her son Oliver, who was born with muscular dystrophy, had approached his mother expressing a desire to dress the same way as his classmates - something which simply wasn't possible on a practical level.
Reflecting on the inner turmoil she experienced at the time, Mindy questioned: "Do I let him go into school wearing jeans that he wouldn't be able to go to the bathroom on his own, wouldn't be able to wear leg braces, or do I say to him 'I'm sorry honey, you can't dress like the other kids?"
According to Cosmopolitan, Mindy decided to remedy the situation herself by modifying existing clothes which will cater to the needs of disabled people, but also allow them to feel part of their wider community.
Outlining their motivation, the company explains: "Runway of Dreams is a nonprofit organization working with the fashion industry to adapt mainstream clothing for the differently-abled community."
"Partnering with top brands and retailers, Runway of Dreams works to integrate wearable technology and design modifications into clothing, making it adaptive and wearable for all."
Runway of Dreams will be partnering with fashion heavy-hitter Tommy Hilfiger this season.
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