Enter Our Koolway Sports Gives Contest!
By Cindy Davis
Fourteen years ago, Jennifer Gallienne had a dream of designing and manufacturing a coat and blanket combination for those using a wheelchair. Gallienne joined forces with John A. Cook, whose background in international finance, risk management and marketing helped to develop a tighter business model. In the fall of 2009, they decided to launch Koolway Sports.
Based in Whitby, Ontario, Koolway Sports designs and manufactures custom outerwear for those using mobility, to enable them to achieve their maximum level of independence in all aspects of their life as well as in the lives of their families and caregivers. Their products include coats, capes, boots, mittens, and more - all taking into consideration the unique needs of their clients. “An individual with a handicap in a wheelchair – be it a stroke victim, someone with cerebral palsy or spina bifida – it takes great difficulty to dress them and undress them,” said Cook. “Often times, people might give up and say, ‘forget it, stay home.’ Our products are custom tailored for the world of disabilities. We can dress anybody in any physical condition in five minutes head to toe, instead of 25 to 30 minutes.” Each design begins with a personalized videoconference appointment, where the Koolway team can assess the specific needs of the client, get a sense of what activities they would like to partake in and the weather conditions in their area. Two more sessions might be required as a follow up where photographs and measurements are taken, then a 3D cut-out of the product is created before it is sewn. The whole process usually takes four to five weeks. “There are no two body frames, no two individuals with the same impairment and no two wheelchairs that are the same,” said Cook. To date there are over 3,000 Koolway product owners worldwide including The New England Bombers (a sledge hockey team from New Hampshire), as well as the senior International Olympic Committee representatives from the Barbados Olympic team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and 2012 Summer Olympics in London, UK. The company has developed KoolGive, an initiative that enables clients to donate gently used Koolway products to individuals or organizations that could use them. Last June, Koolway donated a coat to the C.A.R.E Centre in Montreal, a recreational and educational day program for adults with physical disabilities. Olivia Quesnel, its executive director, said their client Francesco Filippelli tried on the coat when they received it, and they are looking forward to using it this fall. “Francesco tried on the coat on a breezy day in June when we were doing an outdoor activity. Francesco does not like drafts and usually feels cold. He loved the coat,” said Quesnel. “It was easy for the caregivers to help to put on and take off because of all the zippers and the way that it was made. We are looking forward to using the coat in October once the weather gets cooler, and we enjoy the fall days outdoors.” Do you know someone with a physical or intellectual disability who could use a KoolGive coat? Visit the Inspirations Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/inspirationsnews. ‘Like’ our post about KoolGive and tell us who they are and why they would love a coat. Contest runs until December 7. Good luck! Enter our KoolGive contest!
