Special-Needs Business Profile: Sensory Playthings

Rebecca Brown opened her storefront at sensoryplaythings.com just this summer.

Sensory Playthings offers "unique, handmade developmental toys and accessories for babies and special needs children," Brown explains, listing such items as "multi-sensory tactile playmats designed to be used on trays of wheelchairs, high chairs, play tables; Veltex vests that you can velcro toys or sensory items to for the child with limited use of arms or visual impairment; sensory quilts, handknit tactile balls, bibs, and baby blankets."

"My daughter, Sophia, has an extremely rare genetic syndrome called Taybi-Linder Syndrome," says Brown, who learned she'd be a special-needs parent at her 20-week ultrasound. "It is a form of dwarfism with microcephaly, microignathia, and multiple skeletal anomolies. She is also deaf-blind, physically handicapped, developmentally delayed, has a seizure disorder, trach, g-tube, and is O2 dependent."

Her daughter's medical problems have fueled Brown's attempt at self-employment. "I've tried to work before but it has not worked out since my daughter has had many unexpected hospitalizations," she recalls. "It would be ideal to be able to work exclusively from home." She's currently working part-time at a clothing store while trying to get her business off the ground.

Brown doesn't yet consider her business a success, but "hopefully soon." Meanwhile, she's received "lots of positive feedback" about her business from other parents. Looking to the future, she says, "I would love to be able to support my family with my business."

Would Brown recommend that other parents go into business? "Definitely. Parents know best what will work for their children. With special-needs children, you have to be creative because you often can't find what you need. I've heard of so many great ideas parents have thought of." The best thing about her business, she says, is "knowing that I am sharing something with other special children." The hardest thing? "Making a financial investment and being unsure about the return."

What inspired you to start your business?

My daughter is my inspiration. I want to give her every opportunity to explore her world. Being deaf and blind, her sense of touch is most important. I have been very frustrated at the lack of appealing, attractive toys available. And of course, if it's geared toward the special-needs community, it costs a fortune. So I began collecting every interestingly textured piece of fabric I could find and began making things -- first a cloth book, then a playmat, then a tray mat for her wheelchair tray. She loved them, as did her teachers.

How did you go about getting started?

I brought some items to a conference at Perkins School for the Blind to get feedback. Parents and teachers loved them and everyone asked if I had a website.

What advice would you give to other parents about raising a child with special needs?

Take one day at a time. Try to stay positive and focus on the little accomplishments. Don't set large goals. Take time for yourself and with your spouse when possible. Talk to other parents or caregivers, educators. It's a lot of stress to handle by yourself.

How is your daughter doing now?

She still has many ups and downs, but I feel she is getting stronger. The last 3-1/2 years have been quite a roller coaster. It has taken a toll emotionally and financially. Yet I feel like the luckiest Mommy in the world. I have such an amazing child! She cannot do the things that other children can, but she has so much to give and to teach us all. She is such an inspiration. All of these SPECIAL children are!

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