KoolKapes for Cool Kids

A couple of years ago, I introduced you to Koolway Sports - a company that designs and manufactures outerwear for people with disabilities, enabling them to achieve their maximum level of independence in all aspects of life. (You can see my previous posts HERE and HERE).

Brennen has outgrown his KoolKoat, which we enjoyed for several seasons and many winter adventures, and we have passed it on to a family who is now enjoying it with their own little boy.

This year, we are excited to try out the Koolway KoolKape! With a water-resistant outer shell and a warm layer of fleece inside, the KoolKape is practical, functional, and it looks really good! We struggle with dressing Brennen at times, so the ability to pull a cape on over his head in one smooth motion is a blessing. There are adjustable toggles on the sleeves to adjust for sleeve length and tightness, and a hood that can be removed or tucked under his headrest when not in use. 

We will be happy to put away our heavy coats and boots after what has seemed like an endless winter here in Newfoundand. Temperatures are finally beginning to rise above the deep freeze that we have been in, and +1 and +3 degrees is starting to feel a lot like spring! We were happy to see the sun yesterday, so Brennen and I took a leisurely walk around the grounds of Government House. The KoolKape is perfect for this type of weather, and Brennen was cozy and warm, and super comfy for our afternoon out and about.

Walking around yesterday with Brennen, enjoying the sunshine and blue skies, I felt reassured with every step that spring might be right around the corner. I think everyone just feels better when the weather is good, and I am all for feeling better! There is a sort of energy that is reborn in the city each spring, with people outside, parks and playgrounds full of kids and families. People seem happier when they are not rushing around with their heads down trying to block the cold sleet and wind from their eyes. I know I talk a lot about how we love spending time outside together as a family, I feel like a broken record, but my excitement is hard to contain at times when life feels good.. and yesterday was good! Hopefully this is the start of more beautiful spring-like weather!

Check out the KoolKape and other adaptive outerwear at Koolway Sports!

Let it Snow!

When it comes to backyard rinks, my parents pretty much have the best one ever. It's no contest. Forget artificially frozen indoor facilities, or hours spent tending to the ice on a homemade backyard rink. We let Mother Nature do her work for this one!

After a significant cold spell, when the ice is nice and thick and the lake is covered with snow, my Dad goes out with his snowblower and clears off a good sized area for skating.

We just love getting bundled up in our warmest layers and lacing up our skates for the first run of the season! We are anxiously looking forward to getting out to skate again sometime really soon, but the weather has been so funny here lately, it's not looking like the ice will be ready for another little while. (We had quite a bit of snow last week, but then a lot of rain, and today it is actually 7 degrees!)

In the meantime, here are some photos from a day of skating on the lake this time last year (January, 2016):

It was such a weird sky day, as you can see here!

Nothing beats skating with my Dad. I remember when we were young, he would take my sister and I by the arm and go so fast 

it felt like we were flying around the ice. He still does that.

Brennen's little friend, Claire came out for a skate and she loved pushing him around on his sled!

 Brennen was toasty warm in his winter coat from Koolway Sports. 

Thankfully, it still fits him this year, so we will be able to enjoy lots of outdoor adventures!

What a fabulous day on the ice! We can't wait to get out there again this year! Bring on the cold(er) temperatures!!

Cool Kids wear KoolKoats

A few months ago, I introduced you to Koolway Sports - a company that designs and manufactures outerwear for people with or without disabilities, enabling them to achieve their maximum level of independence in all aspects of life.

With the changing of the seasons, and the first taste of snow, we are preparing for the long Winter ahead.

We have always had the challenge of getting Brennen dressed for the cold. His little body gets chilled to the bone if he is not snuggled up in a warm blanket, and if he gets cold outside he is NOT happy. Not only are we faced with the issue of keeping him warm enough, but there is also the struggle of getting his arms out through the sleeves of his coat, fighting against his spasticity. Every year, we end up with a tear under the arm and a hole down at least one side of his coat. Not cool.

This year, we invested in a Koolkoat from Koolway Sports and our problems have been solved!

The Koolkoat can be worn as a jacket:

 ...or with the super-warm "blanket" attachment:

My child will NOT be getting cold! 

The wonderful thing about the Koolkoat is how easily it goes on. It goes over the head like a cape, with a front half-zipper, and then zips down the sides. The Koolway sleeve zipper starts at the wrist cuff and goes up under the arm, down the side of the jacket, to the waist. Both sides unzip fully so that there is no struggle with arms in sleeves. Now, instead of trying to fight Brennen's tight limbs into his jacket, the jacket zips up around his arms. It's genius.

The jacket is custom made to order, sized to fit each individual and their custom chair. It is beautifully crafted and shaped to fit the body, eliminating excess fabric in the lower back.

The blanket attachment zips onto the bottom of the jacket, and can be worn over just the legs or over the entire footplate and wheelchair leg framing. It is perfect for when you are going to be spending a longer period of time outdoors - playing in the snow, sliding on the ice, or sitting around a Winter campfire! The black "Slip-Not" on the bottom of Brennen's blanket gives extra protection from the elements such as water, ice and slush, and it is stain and abrasion resistant. The coat and blanket are insulated with Powderfill for extra warmth. It is breathable, moisture-resistant and machine washable.

I am so thrilled that we discovered the Koolkoat from Koolway Sports! I know that Brennen's coat is going to make a huge difference to him this Winter, and that it will allow us to spend more time outside together as a family. Andrew and I enjoy snowshoeing, and we love to pull Brennen along with us on his sled. We have only ever been able to go for short distances, before Brennen would get too cold, so I'm thinking this year we can tackle some more serious trails! I know it's still early November, but I say, bring on the snowy adventures! We are ready!

If you have any questions about the Koolkoat, or any other Koolway products, please feel free to contact me!

Live Life the Koolway!

If you live in Newfoundland and Labrador, then I don't have to tell you about the weather. I know you are tired of hearing about it, sick of talking about it, and just plain fed up with the rain, drizzle and fog. Our Winters typically last between six to seven months, but this year has been exceptionally bad. It is almost August, and we have yet to see Summer.

Newfoundlanders are tough people, and though we love our province, we don't live here for the weather. This year, our cold temperatures have made national and international headlines, and they've certainly got people talking. Things got serious near the end of July, when the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary issued an official media release for a "Missing Season: Summer", and shortly after issuing the release, they arrested our local weatherman! - See the whole, hilarious story HERE

While everyone seems to be focused on the cold, I thought it only fitting to introduce a company that has created a line of winter clothing (coats, blankets, hats, mitts, boots and accessories) tailored to the needs of people who use wheelchairs!

Koolway Sports designs and manufactures outerwear for people with or without disabilities, enabling them to achieve their maximum level of independence in all aspects of life. With a focus set on providing comfortable warmth for the wearer and easy use for the caregiver, Koolway's unique designs are sure to be the right fit for your special needs.

Koolway has a mission to provide products that are warm, accessible, fashionable and comfortable for individuals who need to use a wheelchair. With their experience in technology and design, they have been able to create products vastly superior to other solutions, making weather not so much of an issue for wheelchair users.

Take a look at their unique product line at www.koolwaysports.com

For both individuals and their caregivers, a Koolway Sports Koat helps to maintain quality of living for people in motion. On initial appearance, the Koolway Sports coat looks like a high-end outdoor jacket, but closer inspection reveals exceptionally clever details for our clients. The coat features include the Koolway Sports half-back, high zippered collar, side zippers from the cuffs to the bottom of the side seam for easy accessibility, shoulder openings to accommodate contoured chair straps, media pocket, Kangaroo pouch security pocket, detachable hood, and special openings for g-tubes.

KoolKapes were designed for the individual who needs a water resistant garment for the quick dash to the car, or for that short ride between covered areas. This is the ideal piece to throw on over an outfit when heading to school or to appointments. We have expanded this product to accommodate the Scooter user - the KoolKape protects the front driving controls and the back parcel basket, keeping the individual and everything else dry from the elements.

KoolBoots are specifically designed as a new alternative for cumbersome footwear. KoolBoots may be worn with or without additional footwear for protection of all weather related elements. KoolBoots are uniquely designed with a back zipper for easy access and to accommodate those clients with AFOs.

Koolway Sports accessories complete the outerwear line with a variety of hats, a scarf with pockets, and newly designed thumbless mittens. 

Stay tuned for photos of Brennen in his new Winter KoolKoat and blanket! I am certainly not wishing for Winter, but I am looking forward to being able to enjoy the outdoors with my family, rather than avoiding it because the challenge of getting Brennen dressed for the cold is such an ordeal.

Please let me know if you have questions about any of these products, or if you need help with sizing. Each piece is custom-made to fit each individual, and all materials are made right here in Canada. Right now, get 5% off your purchase using coupon code: DW-BTS15 until September 30th!

I am thrilled to be representing the Koolway Sports brand here in Newfoundland and Labrador:

 "Where the weather is shit, but the people are amazing!" (quote from a Buzzfeed article!)