From Athlete to Advocate: Advancing Adaptive Fashion and Inclusive Design

I never imagined when I first met Runway of Dreams founder Mindy Scheier—and was later honored on the runway in New York City five years ago—that the experience would change my life forever. Now, I’ve become a board member and an advocate for adaptive fashion and inclusive design. 

Who would have thought that an old guy, born without legs and who played college football, minor league baseball, and won 7 Emmys while at ESPN, could become a “supermodel” and represent Runway of Dreams and GAMUT Management by showcasing adaptive fashion? 

Bringing Adaptive Fashion to Life

That’s why I was so excited when two of my worlds came together this year. The Abilities Expo not only added a fantastic Runway of Dreams fashion show to Expos in Long Beach, New York Metro, and Chicago for the 2026 shows, but also the GAMUT Village. Many of the adaptive brands are collaborating to create a mini mall on site where folks can feel, touch, and try on the various products from adidas, French Toast, and G-III, to name a few. The Village helps bring adaptive fashion to life in a way that is interactive, visible, and accessible to the disability community and beyond. 

I was also asked to emcee the fashion shows with Mindy, and it was such a fantastic experience to see all the young models strutting their stuff on the runway and changing wardrobes during the show each day.    

What people don’t understand is that, as a child growing up in Arizona wearing artificial legs, it was cumbersome and time consuming to change pants every day. It didn’t help that I grew up poor after being adopted, so most of my clothes came from Goodwill. Having people stare at your disability is one thing, but when the clothes you are wearing are tattered and torn, it often makes people feel pity instead of empathy. 

Runway of Dreams and GAMUT have created a sense of hope, while giving confidence to those with apparent and non-apparent disabilities, and that was pretty evident in Los Angeles. The faces of those children and young adults were priceless as they wheeled, crutched, and walked the catwalk before hundreds of excited folks cheering from their seats. It was intimate yet explosive as each model came out to represent each brand that was on site. In my 4 years with the Abilities Expo, it was one of the most popular events ever staged.  

Life is tough enough when people stare at us and those in the disabled community, but Runway of Dreams now helps us to look good—just like everyone else. “If you look good, you feel good” may be part of the philosophy behind the movement and gives a disabled person confidence, but it’s even bigger than that. 

A Movement Gaining Momentum

This work is about dignity, independence, authentic representation, and making sure people with disabilities are included in industries that have historically overlooked them. 

Adaptive fashion is a viable and profitable endeavor, and there is a huge market for it.  Many designers and companies are starting to see that, and the exposure at the Abilities Expo in Long Beach and NY Metro proved that. People want products that are both functionable and fashionable...and brands are FINALLY beginning to recognize the importance and opportunity within this space.  

I am so proud to be a part of this movement! Heck, I even got to model on The View for Runway of Dreams on ABC a few years back. I applaud GAMUT and Runway of Dreams for thinking outside the box when it comes to fashion and practicality. Now I, too, dress better and have more confidence when I take to various stages around the country to tell my story.   

There is a fashion revolution brewing. Runway of Dreams continues to lead the way not only with the designers, but also with those who will be wearing the products, and by ensuring the disability community itself has a voice in shaping the future of accessibility across fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and beyond.  

After the success at the Abilities Expos in Long Beach and NY Metro, I am so excited to see the brands and the folks that will recreate the fashion shows with GAMUT Village at the Chicago Expo in June.  

Thank you, Runway of Dreams—keep changing the world!