Marie Harman was in the parking lot at her children's school five years ago when another parent, Mary Ann Tenaglia, stopped to ask for her help. Mary Ann's 7-year-old son, Matthew, has a severe form of cerebral palsy that limits the use of his arms and legs.

"She asked me if I knew of someone who could sew some special clothes for Matty--clothes that would be functional but would also allow him to dress like other kids," Harman recalls.

Turning to friend and clothing designer, Donna LoMonco, Harman started the wheels in motion that led to a unique business venture. Using Mary Ann's suggestions for items that would help her son, the three women were soon producing clothing and accessories for other customers with disabilities.

Called AbleApparel, the company sells fleece jackets "that look like something from Gap or Old Navy," but are cut shorter to eliminate pressure points when sitting in a wheel chair, Harman explains. They have wider-cut armholes and fasten down the back with Velcro. The design came from the need for clothing to go on and off more easily in a wheelchair.

AbleApparel, based in New Hyde Park, N.Y., also makes a waterproof, breathable rain poncho that is designed to go over a wheelchair without dragging in the back and a winter poncho of a similar design that is made of heavyweight shearling fleece doubled with satin quilted lining for extra warmth. The company's cargo pant, "which looks like every other cargo pant on the market," has a longer seat that won't pull down in a wheelchair and invisible zippers on the inside leg bottoms for easy access to orthotics. Other popular products are Mittys--no-thumbs mittens for persons with contracted hands--and Mattys--bandana style bibs made of waterproof, breathable fabric in solid colors.

It is important to Matty and other individuals with disabilities that their clothing to be comfortable and fashionable. "They don't want to wear the childhood character kind of bib, but if they are droolers, they need something to prevent them from getting soaking wet," Harman explains. "Teenage kids can wear our bandana style bib, and it doesn't look like a bib. It looks good and it feels good."

Managing the business side of AbleApparel, Harman oversees the marketing, sales and manufacturing. In addition to their own catalogs, several products are featured in the Sammons Preston catalog ("the Sears catalog of the physically challenged and elderly"). With only a few companies providing specialized clothing products for those with disabilities, prices tend to be very high. Harman is constantly seeking new manufacturers who can help them maintain high quality and affordable prices. They are also committed to keeping their manufacturing operations in the United States, because so many of their customers are veterans.

"Our company was started to fill an emotional need as much as a functional need," Harman says. "Children and adults with disabilities want to look like everybody else. That was really our goal--to make their lives easier when dressing and provide the ability to feel good."

Matty continues to be an inspiration for new products as well as a model for AbleApparel clothing and their number one supporter, Harman says. "He loves going around with us to the fairs and shows."

Harman's children, Jenna, Michael and Peter, also work with her at trade shows, and have spent time volunteering with organizations that serve those with disabilities. "We're helping them to look and feel their best, both emotionally and physically," she says.

For more information about AbleApparel, visit the web site at [www.ableapparel.com].