Removing Disability Stigmas Through Fashion

A purple cane and a petition are fueling Liz Jackson’s mission to make those with disabilities feel more comfortable. She’s started a petition to get retail giant J.Crew to sell stylish canes through its partner line In Good Company to help remove the stigma that surrounds assistive devices. 

Liz was diagnosed with CIPD two years ago. It is a neurological disorder characterized by progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the legs and arms, which is why she requires a cane to walk. She documents her progress through her blog, The Girl with the Purple Cane.

Liz began this campaign because she realized that some assistive devices are more mainstream than others. Glasses are assistive devices and they have become a fashion commodity. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors to match any outfit. Liz hopes the same thing happens with canes too, something that was once a fashionable accessory. By fusing assistive devices with fashion, those who require these products can feel more comfortable and confident. 

So why J.Crew? Liz feels that it is a major label that can impact a huge group of people. She believes seeing a model holding a cane as a teenager would have boosted her confidence immensely. Also, the company’s president and creative director, Jenna Lyons, uses a prosthetic. She was born with incontinentia pigmenti, a genetic disorder that can cause skin scarring, loss of hair and malformed teeth; she and wears dentures as a result. With such a personal connection to assistive devices from the company’s top dog, J. Crew seems like the perfect outlet for this idea. 

Many of our clients require help from assistive devices like these because of a debilitating disability or work injury. Like Liz, we respect any effort to improve the lives of disabled individuals—both long and short term—and work with them to regain their spirit while promoting their interests. To learn more about Liz’s campaign and to sign her petition, click here. 

Shedding Light on Skin Cancer During UV Safety Month

July is the month that invokes memories of trips to the shore, the feel of increasingly hot temperatures and the traditions for celebrating America’s birthday. It should also bring to mind the smell of sunscreen as July is UV Safety Month.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those that work outside during peak hours are at risk for developing skin cancer if the correct precautions are not taken.

First and foremost, use sunscreen. Even when it’s cloudy out those UV rays can still cause damage to your skin. Be sure that it is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and is at least SPF 15. Follow the instructions on the bottle to ensure you’re reapplying on time.

If possible, limit your exposure to the sun during its peak hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can check the UV index wherever you are with the Environmental Protection Agency’s UV Index tool.

Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats and UV-resistant sunglasses.

There are plenty of other tips and an IQ quiz about UV safety at the Federal Occupational Health’s website. 

Fourth of July Sparks Safety Concerns

The fourth wouldn't be complete without grills blazing, heaping servings of apple pie and Technicolor fireworks painting the sky, but these fiery holiday traditions can pose a danger to those in the pyrotechnic industry who create the celebratory displays we enjoy.

Last week, an explosion at a fireworks facility in Washington state killed one worker and injured two others, while another recent incident caused a worker to suffer fatal burns .The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) urges employees in the fireworks and pyrotechnic industries to be conscious of the hazards from manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying and selling fireworks for public presentations, especially in light of these two recent events.

OSHA offers downloadable safety posters that employers within these industries can post. They detail various precautions to take when handling fireworks and common solutions for the retail sales of fireworks and for creating fireworks displays. They can be found here. It also offers an educational video about safety in the manufacturing and retail sales of fireworks, which can he viewed here.

Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano wishes everyone a festive and safe Fourth of July, and we thank those who create the luminous shows we all enjoy.