#067- Designing Accessible Apparel for Limb Difference with Alexia Michitti

Alexia Michitti, founder of Em13race LLC, joins the AdaptX Podcast to discuss her journey as a senior at SUNY Oneonta, a motivational speaker, and co-captain of the US Women's Amputee Soccer Team. She shares her experiences growing up with a limb difference and how she was encouraged to participate in traditional sports. Alexia talks about the lack of opportunities for adaptive sports in her high school and the importance of organizations such as Lucky Fin Project and Camp No Limits. She also discusses her entrepreneurial venture, Em13race, which offers adaptive clothing for people with limb differences. Alexia shares her personal journey and the accommodations she has made in the gym and in everyday life and emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding when working with individuals with disabilities. Alexia also talks about the upcoming Women's Amputee Soccer World Cup and the growth of amputee soccer as a sport. To keep up with Alexia and discover more about Em13race, check out the links below,

Em13race’s Website: https://em13race.com/

• Tiktok: @alexia.michitti
• Instagram; @em13race
• Facebook: @EM13RACE

Keywords: Embrace LLC, adaptive clothing, limb differences, adaptive sports, Lucky Fin Project, Camp No Limits, entrepreneurship, amputee soccer, limb difference, accessibility, representation, fitness, accommodations, patience, Women's Amputee Soccer World Cup, growth

Takeaways

• Amputee soccer is a growing sport that provides opportunities for individuals with limb differences to participate in competitive athletics.
• Accommodations in the gym, such as activity-specific prosthetics and modified equipment, can help individuals with limb differences engage in fitness activities.
• Patience and understanding are crucial when working with individuals with disabilities, as they may require additional time and support to learn and adapt.
• The representation of disability in the fitness industry should focus on normalizing disability and appreciating everyday accomplishments, rather than solely highlighting exceptional athletic achievements.
• The upcoming Women's Amputee Soccer World Cup is a significant event for the sport and provides inspiration and role models for younger athletes with limb differences.

Chapters

00:00 Alexia Michitti: From Traditional Sports to Adaptive Sports

08:03 The Importance of Organizations like Lucky Fin Project and Camp No Limits

15:27 Embrace LLC: Pioneering Adaptive Clothing for Limb Differences