Embrun couple launch online business helping those with special needs
A family-run business out of Embrun is tackling the challenges faced by those with autism and special needs, launching an online store with the goal of creating a sense of community.
“We want to be more than just a business that sells things. Your life changes in such a dramatic way when you have a child with special needs, she’s our inspiration for everything that we do,” said Kim Vincent, co-owner of Ability Hive.
Six years ago, Kim Vincent and his wife Josee Martel’s eight-year-old daughter Sage was diagnosed with autism.
“She did hit some milestones and then she stopped talking. She became silent and then for like two years she didn’t say a word,” said Martel.
For her parents, it lead them on a journey that wasn’t easy, navigating waitlists, appointments and choosing the right products.
“We tried so many things for our daughter because our daughter needs a lot of regulation, so we tried different things for her bedding, weighted items,” said Martel.
Through all the searching when they did come across something they liked, finding it was a different story.
“If you do find them, it’s sort of like, ‘I can get this here, and I can get this there.’ Sometimes you have to get it from the States and bring it over and then you have customs to deal with,” said Vincent.
So, they decided to bring their favourite products together, creating an online business for those with special needs. They called it Ability Hive.
“Anyone can benefit from these products, including OT’s, speech therapists, ABA therapists, caregivers, schools, parents, those who are disabled themselves,” said Martel.
But they’re not just creating a business, they’re creating a community, raising awareness through their blog, The Big Impact and highlighting different people with various disabilities.
They also donate a percentage of their sales from products and merchandise to local non-profits who serve the autism and special needs communities.
“We’ve gotten a lot of good feedback and we're able to say, ‘Okay, so does your child need, pressure?’ ‘Does he run a lot?’ ‘Does he need to sit quietly?’ So we can actually refer to some of the items that we have here and try to help, but that's because we've been through with our daughter.”
They only launched March 1, but their goal is to one day open a brick-and-mortar store staffed by those with disabilities, along with a space for the community.
“We’d love to be able to do that. It’s a big task, but I think, you know, we’ve got big dreams and aspirations,” said Vincent.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
'Repetitive partisan conduct': Conservatives to force vote on ousting Speaker Greg Fergus
The federal Conservatives have advanced a motion that will force MPs to vote on whether to oust Greg Fergus as House of Commons Speaker, after MPs' deputy adjudicator ruled Monday that the Liberal member's allegedly errant partisan event invite required urgent attention.
Trial for B.C. man accused of killing, dismembering wife begins
The trial for a Langley man accused of killing his wife began Monday, with the prosecutor laying out a disturbing series of facts agreed upon by both Crown and defence.
Robertson's hat-trick drives Stars to Game 3 win over Oilers
Jason Robertson's hat-trick goal midway through the third period broke a deadlock and proved to be the eventual winner as the Dallas Stars beat the host Edmonton Oilers 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final to take a 2-1 series lead.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
WATCH Alta. man rescues wild foal trapped on steep cliffside
A man's daring rescue of a newborn wild foal that was trapped after falling down a steep embankment was caught on video over the weekend.
Severe thunderstorms, tornado watch in some areas of Canada. Here's where
Depending on where you live, you can expect to get a mixed bag of weather this week, as local forecasts predict heavy rain, strong wind, severe thunderstorms and even snowfall across some areas of Canada.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Israel close to approving Gaza reunification program before Rafah invasion: Miller
Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Israel seemed to be on the verge of approving a program to get Palestinian relatives of Canadians out of the Gaza Strip before the country's invasion of the town of Rafah.