‘They’re So Much More Comfortable!’ Mom Creates Genius Pants and Adaptive Clothing for Kids With Special Needs
When a doctor couldn’t help her daughter, this mom invented a solution for millions
Key Takeaways
- Nikki Puzzo transformed her daughter's struggle into a global adaptive clothing brand.
- The befree line features patented zipOns designed for easy dressing with casts or braces.
- Originally for kids, the collection now offers stylish, functional clothing for adults too.
When Nikki Puzzo’s little girl underwent double hip surgery and struggled to find pants to fit over her casts, Nikki found a way to solve the problem — and help many others with special needs! Here, she shares her story with Woman’s World.
Nikki Puzzo felt the room sway as the doctor at Boston Children’s Hospital outlined her 5-year-old daughter’s recovery after double hip surgery.
“Stella will have to wear both her legs in a cast with a bar between to set her hips in place for three months,” he informed her.
A sea of questions pelted Nikki’s mind, but she chose to start with one she felt was the simplest.
“Where can I find pants that will fit over the casts?”
To her amazement, there was no answer. The staff suggested blankets, dresses and large T-shirts, but none seemed workable.
I can’t imagine Stella feeling self-conscious, along with all the other struggles during her recovery, Nikki worried in frustration.
Knowing there had to be a better way, Nikki took her daughter home, determined to solve the issue. After all, Stella had seen more troubles than any little girl should. Being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at eight months old, Nikki often felt helpless and heartbroken.
I can solve this problem, at least, and make your life a little bit easier, she vowed.
Designed with love
Nikki bought a pair of pajama pants, cut open the outer seam and replaced the stitching with Velcro that could open and close on the outside of the pants over Stella’s casts.
“They’re so much more comfortable!” Stella exclaimed, feeling at ease going to her appointments.
The surgeons at the hospital were so impressed that they encouraged Nikki to keep making more.
One afternoon, Joanne DiCamillo, Nikki’s best friend of 13 years, came to visit during Stella’s recovery. Her daughter, Mia, was in Stella’s kindergarten class.
Joanne was so impressed with the pants that she suggested the two of them make more adaptive clothing to help people with disabilities — like spinal cord injuries, Rett syndrome or spina bifida.
“My mom can help make the samples since she’s an incredible seamstress!” Joanne chimed.
Excited, the two took their idea and soared.
A meant-to-be venture
In December of 2015, they opened their business, deciding on the name “befree”.
After making prototypes, doing a test market and getting advice from medical professionals, they came up with a line of patented designs for youth and adult pants that zip up the sides.
Happy reviews came pouring in.
A grateful parent whose little boy was recovering from hip surgery with casts on both legs shared how he refused to leave the house until he received his zipOns pants, since they gave him such confidence.
Another review came from a nurse practitioner who knew the struggles families face when caring for a loved one with mobility issues — including her husband, who underwent major back surgery.
“These made our ability to take pants on and off so much easier and safer!” she wrote.
Positive feedback inspired Nikki and Joanne to expand their clothing line to include shorts, leggings, jeans, joggers, khakis and dress pants.
“Befree offers comfort and confidence during a very challenging time,” Joanne explains. “Our goal is to bring freedom to those in need when it might feel very far away.”
Nikki beams with pride.
“As a parent of a daughter with special needs, I realize that we are rewriting the script of the life we thought we were going to have,” she shares. “It has opened my eyes to things I wouldn’t have seen before. It has made a difference not only in my own daughter’s life, but the life of so many others. That’s the greatest feeling!”
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