When they found out the North Penn School District Educational Services Center raised the disability pride flag this month, Shane Popiny and his family knew that the gesture was just the beginning of a future with accessibility, inclusivity, and equity for those with disabilities.
Shane is a 14-year-old Lansdale resident who attends Penndale Middle School. He suffered a stroke as a newborn and was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He runs a business called Shane & Pepper Candle Company, named after him and his service dog, Pepper.
Seeing the flag during Disability Pride Month gave the family hope, but it reminded them that there is more work to be done in the community.
The flag “serves as a powerful symbol of our cause and a touching testament to our ongoing fight,” Shane & Pepper said in a Facebook post.
It’s one of the reasons why they started Shane & Pepper Candle Company — to bring opportunities for people with disabilities, who constitute the largest minority globally and who have the lowest employment rates.
“We want to bring more accessibility to not just the schools, but to the towns and the cities to make it more disability friendly,” said Shane.
The company began as a fundraiser to get Pepper in 2019 and later evolved into a brick-and-mortar store on the first floor of 307 Derstine Avenue in Lansdale. Shane also runs The Shane & Pepper Foundation.
Candles calmed Shane down when he was younger. Now, it helps provide people with disabilities with vocational, social, and life skills. Candles at the Shane & Pepper Candle Company are handcrafted by the Abilities Workforce Program Team.
“Shane & Pepper is the definition of inclusion,” said Brett Popiny, Shane’s father. “It doesn't matter what you look like or who you are, once you step into our store, you're 100% safe, you're going to be able to learn, grow, and then hopefully, take what you learned and pass it on through the world.”
All candles are made using 100% natural soy wax and are vegan, biodegradable, cruelty-free, and non-toxic, according to the website.
They’ve also launched an Ability Culinary Project, a culinary training program that will operate in a kitchen upstairs in their building. The building will also have a mock apartment to provide advanced life skills for anyone with all types of disabilities. Shane & Pepper also partners with Next Steps Program for summer classes. While there are programs like these that exist, Marie said, there aren’t enough for those who are above the age of 21. Programs at The Shane & Pepper Foundation will be available to anyone with disabilities who are beyond 21-years-old.
Disability Pride Month has not been talked about until recently, Marie said, but she is hoping that there will be more conversations to foster bonds between those who are able-bodied and those with disabilities. For many, the change starts at Shane & Pepper.
“We're so much more than just a candle store,” Marie said. “We are the lights for all and the change for all.”
See also:
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