How would you make a living if you were a blind single mother with two medically fragile children who were constantly in and out of hospitals? That was the challenge for Desiree Christian of Portland, Oregon, a determined woman who decided to transform her hardships into a thriving business. Born legally blind into a family where visual impairment was the norm, Desiree grew up immersed in a world of adaptability and perseverance. With a grandfather who taught Braille in Albany, California, and a mother who ran a successful massage therapy practice despite her own blindness, Desiree learned early on the power of determination.

Life threw its share of challenges at Desiree, especially as a single mom raising two medically fragile daughters. “I was always in crisis mode,” she recalls. “Even when I had time for myself, I always wondered when the next emergency would come.” For over twenty years, Desiree and her family relied on Social Security benefits and medical assistance, living in a constant state of vigilance.

Then, last year, everything changed. Desiree lost one of her daughters to a fatal seizure. “Her passing made me realize life is short,” Desiree reflects. “If I wanted to improve my life, I had to start now.” This realization sparked a new determination to pursue her passion for art, particularly sewing and crafting.

Enter Printful, an online print-on-demand company. With the help of Chris Peterson, an Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®) at Penny Forward, Desiree began turning her artistic dreams into reality. She envisioned a business creating t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other products featuring her unique designs. “There are things you can say on a T-shirt that you can’t always say out loud,” she explains.

Her first designs hit home with various communities—those with disabilities, introverts, and fans of “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series by Douglas Adams. Slogans like “You’re the 29th person today to pet my guide dog without asking,” “I’m done peopling,” and “42” (featuring two white mice) quickly became favorites.

In March 2024, Desiree launched her online store, “Flaunt Your Ability”, dreaming of expanding her offerings to include custom clothing modifications and other handcrafted items by people with disabilities. But the road hasn’t always been smooth. The initial flood of orders soon slowed down, showing Desiree the need for ongoing promotion.

To tackle this, Desiree now offers custom design services to her community. Customers can bring their ideas to her, and if the design fits her regular inventory, she’ll create it for free. For unique requests, she offers her services at a reasonable fee. This approach not only brings in new orders but also builds a sense of community.

“Every time I appear on a podcast or get mentioned on social media, a few new orders come in,” Desiree says. She knows that success in business is a marathon, not a sprint, and she’s prepared to be patient. “I’ve waited this long. I’m happy to wait a little longer for things to really take off.”

Desiree’s goal is to use humor and creativity to educate and entertain without crossing into offensiveness. “Words can be as powerful as you let them,” she says. Her designs aim to spark conversations, raise awareness, and bring joy.

Desiree’s story is a powerful example of resilience and the importance of seizing opportunities and finding the right community support from organizations like Penny Forward, a nonprofit founded and led by blind people. Penny Forward provides education, mentoring, and mutual support to help the blind community navigate the complicated landscape of personal finance.

Through self-paced online financial education courses, workshops, and one-on-one financial counseling, Penny Forward empowers its members to achieve financial confidence and independence. Learn more at their web site, www.pennyforward.com.

Got a design idea or want to support Desiree’s business? Visit www.flauntyourability.com or email her at desireesatelier@gmail.com. By supporting her venture, you’re getting a unique product and contributing to a mission that values creativity, inclusivity, and empowerment