mobileWOMEN.org: beauty and fashion

Showing posts with label beauty and fashion. Show all posts

Pushing for Inclusion - Samanta Bullock’s Mission

Photo by Lawson Filho

We at mobileWOMEN were thrilled to connect with athlete, model and advocate, Samanta Bullock from all the way across the pond! Always curious about dynamic women around the world, we asked Samanta to share her story and then answer a few questions to learn more about her passion and motivation. In Samanta's words:

"With a background in fashion, I am passionate about inclusive fashion and leading a healthy and active lifestyle. I live in London and am sharing my knowledge and life experiences to raise awareness of inclusion, fashion, and healthy lifestyles.

I have been in a wheelchair since 1992 and played wheelchair tennis from 2003 until 2009, representing Brazil and winning a doubles silver medal at the 2007 Para Pan Am Games. I am living proof that a wheelchair does not have to be an obstacle to achieving any of my goals.

Born in 1978 in Osorio-Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, my life changed forever at the tender age of 14 when a bullet wound left me paraplegic. Before my injury, I was a model and was very active, playing handball and tennis. Since my accident, I have worked in politics, played tennis at the highest level and performed in the 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, among many other achievements.

I can now look back proudly at what I have already achieved since my accident and have every reason to feel optimistic about the future. I have had the chance to participate in London Fashion Week, Fashions Finest, International Dubai Fashion Week, Spoken London Fashion Week and London Alternative Fashion Week. I have also been in fashion shows in Portugal, Brazil, Spain and Turkey.

As part of my journey to make fashion more accessible to everyone and the disabled population be more represented, I have been speaking in a number of conferences, events and schools. Fashion has the power to normalize things and embrace equality. It has been hard work, pushing for inclusion but a meaningful one and I am making it part of my journey.

I invite you to be part of it, to work in the direction of more inclusive world. To make this new generation understand that all differences are welcome. Be with me, your opinion and presence are needed and I am happy to share my journey with you."

mW: Thank you for sharing your powerful story with us! You have obviously gone through a devastating injury yet you have been able to accomplish so much since then. What helped to you to get through the tough times?

SB: The thing is, I have been working every single day for years now, even when I am on holiday (vacation), I am making content. What you see is the result of a lot of work. I don’t focus on the big picture, I do one thing at time. The days I am in pain, I try to do my best on that day and see what is the best thing will help me to get through, sometimes it is a bath, other times it is to go swimming, have a nice tea, talk with someone that I love, meditation etc. It depends, but it is day by day, hour by hour.

mW: What advice would you give someone with a recent injury or disability?

SB: When the injury is recent, all senses and motions are still raw. We have a grief period; it is necessary - our past died and is reborn. Just believe, “all will be fine”, “all will be fine”. Relax and go step by step. Here is the process to rediscover what we can do such as pee, feelings, transfers, etc, celebrate each little conquer. Live day by day.

mW: What compelled you to be an advocate for inclusion?

SB: I was tired of being left out, to be carried around, with places that were not accessible, to get on buses on my bum because they aren’t accessible, to have buses close the door in your face, or not stop for you. I was tired of all this, missing accessibility and representation. For example, restaurants won’t be accessible if they don’t see the wheelchair user, as a consumer. We are not represented, why will they change?

Photo by Lawson Filho

mW: Why did you choose fashion as a tool to promote inclusion?

SB: Because I think fashion has the power. Everyone wears clothes. Fashion also empowers and gives us the confidence that we need.

mW: Do you have any recent projects that you would like to share?

SB: I am helping fellow mobileWOMAN, Louise Sertsis from Advanced Freedom, design her wheelchair bag, the HandiPac, by giving her feedback. I think it has enormous potential to help people with Multiple Sclerosis and other different limitations, regain their freedom.

Samanta with the HandiPac

I am doing my fashion shows and also, I am responsible at VisABLE People for the models division. They are the world’s first initiative to create mainstream, professional opportunities for actors, presenters and models with disabilities. I have been with them for more than 10 years now and we decided to have a part of the agency just for the modelling element from now on. It is so exciting! I am also launching my new website with a lot of upcoming news so stay tuned!

mW: What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

SB: That we have the same rights as anyone else. That it doesn’t matter if you have a disability or not, you can go through a shop and buy something that fits you, that you have the right fitting room to try it, that the staff are comfortable with you... I mean, just to be treated as equal.

Photo by Lawson Filho

Follow Samanta on:

Instagram SAMABULLOCK

Twitter SAMABULLOCK

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samantabullockofficial/

Youtube: Samanta Bullock

Media (and Fashion!) is for Every Body

By Amy Saffell

Amy Saffell (bottom right) armed with GoPro & crew

People with disabilities are significantly underrepresented in the media, both on camera and in media jobs behind the scenes. In Nashville, through a partnership with the adaptive sports and independence nonprofit ABLE Youth (www.ableyouth.org) and Nashville Education, Community and Arts Television Network (NECAT) (www.necatnetwork.org), change is happening! NECAT, a public access television station, has so far trained about a half dozen of ABLE Youth's teenagers and the Executive Director to run everything in the studio, from cameras to floor directing to technical directing to audio to sets and lighting to being on camera and are now television producers with the public access station.

In the control room.

Don't Get Left Out FROM the Cold - Tips to Stay Warm

By Wendy Crawford

It really didn't seem that far, maybe 40 feet at the most. Recently, we were at a shopping mall but to access a restaurant that we were interested in, we had to go outside. I was in my power chair and could zoom quickly so I skipped putting my hat and mittens back on. “I should be fine”, I told myself. “I've done this many times and it's really not that far.” Within seconds of opening the door, I was regretting my decision! The cutting wind hit my face, taking away my breath. I felt the cold biting into my skull and rushing into the opening of my jacket, penetrating the weave of my sweater.

I'm not sure what's going on but this winter has been absolutely brutal; bringing the term “cold” to a whole other level - record-breaking low temperatures, hurricane force winds, snow thunder and in some places, “feet” not “inches” of snow! Many of us mobileWOMEN, are unable to regulate our temperature and if we aren’t careful, hypothermia can set in quickly. Not to mention the hours it takes to thaw out and warm up. It's easy to stay at home and refuse to go out. But after awhile cabin fever sets in and the desire for a breath of fresh air becomes overwhelming.

We would like to share with you some of our favorite cold combating solutions so that you too can get out and enjoy all that winter has to offer.

In 1999, Aaron Baker broke his neck in a motocross accident, leaving him completely paralyzed from the neck down. Despite doctors' grim prognosis, over the next 16 years Aaron decided not to listen to those who said 'he had a million-to-one odds of ever feeding himself again' and instead endeavored to regain as much mobility as possible. This journey through the unknown took him from the depths of depression to the joys of cross country road tripping via tandem bicycle with his mother and friends, and finally, culminated in his opening a socially conscious low-cost gym focused on increasing mobility for the disabled. Now, in COMING TO MY SENSES, we watch as Aaron takes one final journey which symbolizes his recovery: to cross a 20 mile tract of Death Valley unsupported on foot. But will he make it?

Though COMING TO MY SENSES chronicles the recovery of an individual suffering a high-level spinal injury, the film is much broader in scope and application that individuals of all stripes can take away a message of perseverance in the face of disheartening odds.

You can watch the film’s trailer here.

In conjunction with the film’s upcoming community screening tour and larger impact campaign, we are inviting you (and your organization) to participate in our grassroots #ColorMySenses digital campaign.

Gadgets for Independence Series: Beauty

By Wendy Crawford & Kirsy Rodriguez

Some of you may have been following our “Gadgets for Independence” Series for those with limited hand function (although these gadgets can make life easier for anyone!). So far, we shared with you some helpful gadgets that are specifically for cutting items like packages, paper, envelopes etc. and gadgets to be used in the kitchen.

For our next “gadget” topic, we have chosen an extremely important one, especially with the upcoming holidays which will be here before you know it: Beauty :-) Let’s face it. There are some tasks that you want executed just right and can not easily be delegated to others and this is one of them! Typically, most aides don’t have the background or experience to be a hairdresser or makeup artist. That’s where Youtube videos and some helpful gadgets can help you to achieve your “beauty vision”. Being independent can be empowering and liberating!

We have compiled a list of some of our favorites that cover makeup, nails and hair. We haven’t tried all of them yet, although looking forward to giving them a shot! We do not receive any reimbursement for promotion.

We would love to hear your suggestions too so please share them on our mobileWOMEN.org Facebook page. If you are not a member yet just send us a request and we’ll be happy to grant you access.

Universal Grips

To start, we’ve listed some universal grips that can be used on any handles whether it’s for beauty tools or other purposes in your daily life.

Foam Tubing for Grip: These inexpensive cylindrical foam tubes come in various diameters which can be cut with scissors to desired length to increase grip for makeup brushes, mascara, eyeliner, hair brushes etc.

Hand Grip: This universal sleeve can be used on utensils like hair brush, makeup handles etc. It can be easily removed and reused throughout the day.

Nails

Often I’ve resorted going to a nail salon even though I just need my nails cut and filed. This can get costly and time-consuming. We searched around to find these options that with a little patience and practice, could do the trick! (Note: Those with no sensation, need to be extremely cautious.)

In-Depth with "Patti+Ricky"

By mobileWOMEN Team

Founder, Alexandra Connell

If you are on social media lately, you may have noticed that the Internet has been abuzz about a new company that sells functional fashion for people with disabilities called “Patti + Ricky”. What caught our attention was the fact that they refer to themselves as an “online department store for people with disabilities”! Whaaaaat? Sounds interesting but what exactly does that mean?

Their website features products from 20+ different designers, many of whom live with disabilities themselves. To better understand this "new to our community" concept, we decided to get up close and personal with “Patti & Ricky”. See below, our in-depth interview with founder and “Creative Energy Officer”, Alexandra Connell:

Mw: What inspired you to start your company? Who is PATTI + RICKY? How did you come up with the name?

AC: I saw a need for a marketplace that offered stylish and functional clothing that catered to people of all abilities. Thinking back, there were many experiences in my life that led me to find PATTIandRICKY.com. Both of my parents worked in the New York City fashion and accessory industry. Conversations in my home included what would be the next fashion trend or what was going to be the “it” colors for fall. I like to joke that I was born into retail and it’s in my blood.

I also grew up with dyslexia and ADHD. During and after college, I worked for nonprofits focused on fostering inclusion. Much of that time inspired me to earn my masters in disAbility Studies.

Spring Cleaning For Your Face

By Kirsy Rodriguez

Can you believe it, springtime is already here! But hey, no complaining over here. Springtime is one of my most favorite times of the year. This is the season of rebirth. Even though I live in Florida where seasons don't really exist, you can still see the change in the landscape. The grass is greener. More flowers are blooming and there's literally a song in the air with all the new baby birds flying around. I simply just love it!

Another thing I love about this time of year is spring cleaning. My type of "spring cleaning" is a little bit different than what you may be used to. My version of spring cleaning is actually for your face. Yep, you read that right!

I mean, I take care of my skin all year round but usually during late winter I tend to get a little bit lazy and skip out on the extra things that make a world of difference on my skin. This results in my skin looking dry and dull. If your skin is looking dry and dull, I’ve got the perfect DIY face mask for you. So if you have never done an at-home facial but always wondered how to go about it, well wonder no more because I'm about to share with you my at-home facial routine.

"Relatable" - Using Media to Promote Body Positivity

By Molly Fitzpatrick


Molly - Photo by Dylan Silver

I am a stylist, a writer, and graduate student. My name is Molly Fitzpatrick, and I am on a mission to start thoughtful and important conversations about body image issues, in order to redefine labels and prove beauty is limitless, brave and about being body-shameless.

As a woman who has an appreciation for fashion and the value of inner beauty, body image issues are close to my heart.

My story is not inspirational. Instead, I am the one who has been inspired.

I have been given the amazing and rewarding opportunity to showcase stories about incredible and beautiful women who are on a collective mission to promote body positivity, advocate for media inclusion, and who are speaking out against body-shaming.

These women are bravely sharing their experience with eating disorders, breaking the boundaries of their disabilities, and voicing their frustration with the different forms of body-shaming in media.

Their powerful stories and unique perspectives are featured in my professional project to complete my Master of Arts degree in Journalism from University of Nevada.

The project that I have created is RelatableMagazine. In conjunction with my podcast, titled The Body-Shameless Series, my project is a campaign for body acceptance and positivity.

My Raw Beauty Project Experience as a Model

By Tamara Mena

With the way this world is nowadays, being a powerful, successful and confident woman isn’t easy, for any woman. There are so many standards, so much the media tells us regarding how we should be or look like, to be “beautiful” and accepted. However, beauty is NOT defined by any race, size or ABILITIES.

The Raw Beauty Project is an innovative arts project that celebrates women with disabilities, educating viewers to redefine perceptions and beauty, unleashing potential for all. Being part of The Raw Beauty Project Los Angeles that was held on September 17, 2016 at Paul Mitchell The School Pasadena, was so moving and empowering. And let me just say that BEFORE the event, I had considered my photoshoot, empowering for several reasons; I stepped outside of my comfort zone and did some really neat stuff that made me feel beautiful and confident during it, but even more so, when I saw some of the photos. The other reason my photoshoot was empowering, is because as a model, I did some stuff I hadn’t done in years, since before my car accident, such as laying and posing on a rock ;). And no, it wasn’t easy getting up there; I had to have help, but everyone was so willing which made the whole experience so awesome.

Alicia Searcy – Fashion Icon for Every Body

By Amy Saffell

Alicia Searcy on the runway!

Alicia Searcy has become Nashville’s go-to girl when it comes to fashion for people with disabilities, a mission first ingrained in her long ago without her even realizing it. Her mother had a love for style and made sure that her daughter, regardless of having cerebral palsy and using a wheelchair and crutches, was well dressed. Fashion was fun and a way of life in her family as a kid, long before she ever dreamed of the opportunities for spreading advocacy and empowerment that would come much later. “As a little girl growing up in New York City,” she explains, “I was always well-dressed. My mother had a talent for sewing, and she would sometimes make us matching outfits. As a teenager with almost no money, I relished every high-waisted pair of bell bottoms and platform shoes (Yes, I wore them. On crutches, no less.) that I could get my hands on.” Clearly, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Alicia loved finding a sense of style that would be her own.

Her love of fashion continued into early adulthood, but she then began to have a change of heart about the very thing that she loved the most, causing her to dig a little deeper and learn more about herself way beyond the stylish fabrics of her clothes. “I have to admit that for a while in my 30s and 40s, I decided that fashion was “shallow” and that fashionistas were overly-judgmental about anyone who wasn't sporting the latest trend,” she says. After some soul searching, she realized that it really wasn’t the fashion industry that was bothering her but rather a lack of her own self-confidence. Although she hadn’t consciously thought about it before, she had developed a negative body image related to her disability and a lack of self-esteem that skewed her own viewpoint more than anyone else’s opinions ever could. Once she realized that she had the power to change her thinking, to be proud of who she was, and to show others her zest for life, her love of fashioned returned, and she’s been, to use her words, “obsessed with fashion and personal style ever since.”

Heidi McKenzie, AUE Designer

Q & A with Heidi McKenzie

What led to the start of ALTER UR EGO?

In 2007 I was in a car accident that left me a T4 paraplegic. Not long after, in 2012, I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, which opened so many doors...that were handicap accessible of course! I was an advocate for those in wheelchairs and I traveled the country sharing my story. I went on to compete in Ms. Wheelchair America and, though I didn't win, this was my first experience spending time with other girls in wheelchairs from other states. I found that we all struggled when it came to finding stylish functional clothing, so I decided to create my own line!

What makes this line of clothing unique for persons with disabilities?

I have firsthand experience of our daily activities and the role that clothes that fit correctly play. I enjoy hearing thoughts and ideas from others with disabilities in order to incorporate them into the line. If I can make one thing easier for someone, when getting dressed, I will have done my job. My clothing line is designed for a seated body and has both a comfortable fit and stylish look. One feature that is quite helpful is the pockets located on the thighs for easy access of your phone, keys or anything else you don't want falling off your lap. The high-back waistline is also important so that nothing shows when you are bending over. We got you covered!

How can people purchase from your line?

Visit alterurego.co and click on the shop page, http://alterurego.co/shop/. You can also sign up for the newsletter to receive updates and discounts.

Have you always been involved in fashion?

Yes, I have. I started picking out my clothes at a young age. I was studying Fashion Merchandising before my accident. After my accident I wasn't sure about being a part of the fashion industry as a girl in a wheelchair. But then I met others in chairs who also struggled to find stylish, functional clothing and so I gained the confidence I needed to design clothing that has someone like us in mind.

What are some things you wish mainstream fashion would consider regarding people with physical disabilities?

I wish mainstream fashion was inclusive. I wish a model in a wheelchair could roll down the runway and it not be this life-changing, inspirational moment, but it be normal, just like someone walking down the runway. Hopefully some famous designers will join the club and create more clothing options for those with physical disabilities.

What are your future plans for ALTER UR EGO?

I want to design a complete adaptable clothing line with shirts, shorts, jackets, dresses, skirts, vests, slacks, shoes, and even athletic clothing! This year we are working on expanding our jeans to kids, teens and plus sizes.

What's been one of your favorite moments since starting the line?

When someone that has been in a wheelchair for years and not worn jeans had the opportunity and made them practical again.

What message do you have for others wanting to put something out there, as you have, but are intimidated to begin?

If you believe in what you create, don't let anything discourage you from doing what you have to and be able to share it with others.

Can you tell us more about your background?

I was born and raised in Ohio. After my accident I moved to Eastern Kentucky and have been here for the past 9 years. I am a T4 paraplegic and enjoy adaptable sports such as sled hockey and kayaking. I am a board member of Build Inclusion formed by parents of children with varying abilities, who know that true inclusion must move beyond “awareness." We travel to elementary schools to educate kids about people with disabilities. I also am on the board of the Kentucky Congress on Spinal Cord Injury, a group of individuals with SCI who are dedicated to educate and legislate change for the disabled community.

If there's anything else you'd like to add, please do so:

AUE adaptable jeans are in the (dis)ABLED Beauty Show, an exhibition celebrating all-inclusive beauty and a deconstruction of the stigmatization of those living with various physical disabilities. July 29, 2016 – March 17, 2017 at Kent State University.

Fashion is for Every Body the 1st Inclusive Fashion Show in Nashville. AUE adaptable jeans will make their debut! Promoting inclusion + body positivity. Fashion is for all of us! September 10, 2016.

Visit alterurego.co.

The Raw Beauty Project Celebrates Beauty, Power, and Passion with Los Angeles Exhibit Debut Sept. 17 at Paul Mitchell The School – Pasadena.

The Raw Beauty Project is an innovative photography exhibit that celebrates women with disabilities. The goal of the exhibit is to redefine perceptions of beauty, educate audiences, and empower all women. The Raw Beauty Project advocates for inclusion and inspires all to embrace their beauty, own their power, and live their passion.

Angela Rockwood of "Push Girls"

Los Angeles, Ca, July 12 , 2016 - The Raw Beauty Project launched an Indiegogo campaign on June 20 to raise funds for the Los Angeles exhibit at Paul Mitchell The School – Pasadena, to be held on September 17, 2016.

This innovative art project made its debut in NYC, celebrates unstoppable women with disabilities, educating viewers to redefine perceptions and beauty, unleashing potential for all. This powerful exhibit has resonated with media across the world, igniting a global conversation and has been featured in "O", Oprah Magazine – “These Photos Prove Beauty Isn’t Determined by Ability”, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, as well as many publications across Europe.

Photographed by fashion and celebrity photographers from the L.A. area including Creative Director, Daryl Henderson, the Los Angeles exhibit will consist of over 20 local, amazing models, and will include their remarkable stories. The L.A. exhibit will unveil a brand new way to experience The Raw Beauty Project photographs, using tactile printing, in addition to traditional gallery prints. The campaign has a goal of $10,000 and will run until August 4, 2016.

Up Close & Personal with Tamara Mena

We recently were fortunate to have the opportunity to get up close and personal with model, television host, spokesperson and motivational speaker, Tamara Mena. Among many projects, Tamara hosts ‘Beauty on Wheels’ (BOW) for ‘Life con Acento LATV’. BOW is a show that covers trends and events in beauty and fashion. It's the first show of it's kind to have a host that uses a wheelchair, breaking barriers in the industry.

Read about this dynamic woman and her journey from not one, but two tragedies, to a meaningful life and career.

Tamara intimately shares, in her own words:

"It’s terrible to go from one day feeling like a super woman, living in my own place in San Diego, an independent 19-year-old and, in seconds, all my dreams and goals in life with my boyfriend were shattered, just like that… Even more, I went from feeling so powerful, to helpless… in seconds.
I couldn’t even do the most basic things for myself. No, I’m not talking about walking here… I’m talking about eating, about breathing, or speaking for myself. My lungs collapsed due to the roof of the taxicab collapsing on top of me, literally, and I had to rely on a ventilator for my breathing and I could not eat nor speak for sometime. It was so difficult and painful. I didn't know what had happened and couldn't even communicate.

As a result of this freaky car accident, I broke my back, sustained a spinal cord injury which left me paralyzed from mid-chest down. I fractured numerous bones, but I was, most of all, heartbroken... as my boyfriend of three years was, unfortunately, killed in the accident. He didn’t make it, but he saved my life.
I was heartbroken for all my hopes, at that moment in my life, were gone.

As painful as it was to lose someone so close to me in that accident, at the same time, I realized that I had to be thankful for the amazing opportunity to go forward in life, regardless of the fact that I would no longer be able to walk. Two people unfortunately did not make it, the taxi driver and Patrick, but I was lucky enough to survive and I was going to try to do my best in life, no matter what. I thought the best tribute to my late boyfriend, was that I could show my gratitude for life.

Beauty solutions to Make a mobileWOMAN’s Life Easier!

By Wendy Crawford

Eyelash Tinting

Let’s face it, to say that getting ready in the morning can be time-consuming, is a colossal understatement! For some of us, we could've had an entirely other career in the time it takes for our medical care, showering and getting dressed! Often our morning beauty regime gets cut short and it doesn't allow us to spend the time on ourselves that we would have liked.

For this very reason, we have compiled a few long-lasting beauty solutions to make your life easier so you have more time to get out there and do all the amazing things that you do!

Hair Removal:

Shaving, waxing, tweezing, plucking - ugh! It never ends! Just when one area is taken care of, another one sprouts up again. It is especially difficult for those with limited hand function to rely on others for hair removal (and at times, dangerous!). With warmer weather around the corner, there’s no hiding under those multi layers of clothing. Fortunately, there are some permanent solutions available.

Note: Make certain that you consult a licensed professional that has experience in the procedure that you are interested in.

Discover Freedom through "Advanced Freedom" - Accessible Swimsuits for All Abilities!

By Louise Sertsis

I'm just shy of my fortieth birthday and ready to fully engage myself in becoming a contributing member of society. For years, I was a hermit in my home, believing that activities did not include disabled people like myself. I've had Multiple Sclerosis for eighteen years and need to use a wheelchair for mobility. It took many years to accept my situation. I was full of resentment and self-pity. I was unable to look at life as a gift, and in my own stubbornness, chose to shut myself off to society. This only brought more pain and suffering. I was in a vicious circle that just exacerbated my symptoms, adding to my mental anguish and further isolation from the world.

Through my very turbulent symptoms with MS, I've had two major procedures to alter the course of my disease: A bone marrow transplant to halt the progression of MS, and CCSVI that opened narrowed veins that are typical in people with this monster of a disease. I really am thankful to have had these procedures, as I was progressing at an accelerated rate. It was a long recovery, however now I feel reborn and energized for life!

Dazzle this New Year's Eve with a New Makeup Look

by Kirsy Rodriguez

Kirsy Rodriguez

New Year's Eve, the day where many of us gather with our family and friends to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one with sparkles and lots of cheer.

Ever since I was a little girl, this was one of my favorite celebrations. One of the reasons why is because my family had a tradition of ringing in the new year wearing a brand-new outfit. Growing up we didn't have much, so this tradition was always very special. Of course there were years when we didn't have enough money to buy new outfits, but my mom always managed to for us to have a little something. Whether that was a new hair clip for me or a simple T-shirt for my brothers, she always wanted us to at least have something that we'd never used before to welcome the new year. That was always special to me.

by Amy Saffell

Every wheelchair user knows the perils of shopping for clothes. Clothes right off the rack at the local mall often either don’t fit well, don’t look right sitting down, or are hard to get on and off, leading either to expensive alterations or to just giving up and resorting to wearing clothes that the person really doesn’t want to wear. It often seems like designers don’t give a second thought to the different needs of people with disabilities. Thankfully, we see a glimmer of hope that fashionable clothing is becoming more functional for people with disabilities thanks to renowned Canadian fashion designer, Izzy Camilleri.

Angela Rockwood's photo for Raw Beauty NYC

Angela Rockwood,actress, model, Push Girls star, (not to mention producer!) was also a model for Raw Beauty NYC which was unveiled on September 20, 2014 at ACA Galleries in Chelsea to benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The mobileWOMAN extraordinaire was inspired to bring the project to her city, Los Angeles.

‘’Life is a gift and what we do with our life is our gift back to the world, to others and to ourselves. ‘’Raw Beauty’’ is a platform that embodies this mission effortlessly by allowing a woman to share her life’s journey through words, empower others profoundly with a photograph and to make a shift within her being from the process of embracing her inner essence to share with the world. This is a powerful and empowering movement that needs to be worldwide, but first we share it in the City of Angels, Los Angeles.’’, shares Angela.

As an official Ambassador of the Raw Beauty Project, Angela will spearhead the event along with Raw Beauty NYC co-chairwomen, Dr. Susan Solman and Wendy Crawford, founder of mobileWOMEN.org.

"Every Body: Glamour, Dateability, Sexuality & Disability"

By Danielle Sheypuk, Ph.D.

Danielle Sheypuk at New York Fashion Week 2014

Hi mobileWOMEN!

So pleased to be able to share my first TEDx talk with you all! I crafted my talk with every person that I know with a disability, at the forefront of my mind. My talk titled "Every Body: Glamour, Dateability, Sexuality & Disability," addresses a topic that desperately needs recognition and improvement. I wanted to speak to society as a whole that, if they integrate people with disabilities into the existing sexual and romantic culture, EVERYONE'S love life can improve!

I explore a spectrum of issues, including social mores, ingrained stereotypes, and promotion of negative images of people with disabilities, which are inculcated and amplified by entertainment media and pop culture. In the talk, I develop my long-standing critique of the established fashion/beauty industries, and the mass media, who continue to exclude multi-billion dollar markets of people with disabilities.

Danielle modeling for fashion designer, Carrie Hammer

This TEDx talk is a continuation of the moment when I was a runway model during New York Fashion Week in February 2014, on behalf of women living with disabilities. I am honored to do this work for the benefit of, if not us, our next generation.

Please preview the TEDx talk by clicking on the links below!

To preview the video on Thunderclap and support the talk via social media:

https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/26812-sex-for-every-body

Or to go directly to YouTube:

https://youtu.be/7PwvGfs6Pok

Danielle Sheypuk, Ph.D.
Wheelchair-dependent since childhood, psychologist Danielle Sheypuk once described her NYC dating and relationship experiences as “Sex and the City, disability style.”

After snagging the title “Ms. Wheelchair NY 2012,” Sheypuk found herself in demand from a variety of media focused on her particular area of expertise – the psychology of dating, relationships and sexuality among the disabled community.

Her "walk" down the runway as a model during the February 2014 New York Fashion Week has been termed by some as a "Rosa Parks moment" on behalf of women living with disabilities.

Danielle Sheypuk holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (2009).

Pages

Pushing for Inclusion - Samanta Bullock’s Mission

Media (and Fashion!) is for Every Body

Don't Get Left Out FROM the Cold - Tips to Stay Warm

Celebrate overcoming adversity through the film COMING TO MY SENSES and its corresponding grassroots #ColorMySenses digital campaign!

Gadgets for Independence Series: Beauty

In-Depth with "Patti+Ricky"

Spring Cleaning For Your Face

"Relatable" - Using Media to Promote Body Positivity

My Raw Beauty Project Experience as a Model

Alicia Searcy – Fashion Icon for Every Body

Alter UR Ego, a Fashion Line with You in Mind

Up Close & Personal with Tamara Mena

Beauty solutions to Make a mobileWOMAN’s Life Easier!

Discover Freedom through "Advanced Freedom" - Accessible Swimsuits for All Abilities!

Dazzle this New Year's Eve with a New Makeup Look

Functional Fashion: The Time IZ Now

Searching for Raw Beauty LA Models - Spearheaded by Angela Rockwood

"Every Body: Glamour, Dateability, Sexuality & Disability"