Amanda Sottile is a third year student in the University of Toronto Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. While in high school, she got interested in weight training and wanted to be an athletic therapist for a sports team.
Her focus shifted after she started volunteering - and eventually working - as a special education instructional assistant at CE Academy, a multidisciplinary therapeutic and education facility based on the conductive education (CE) model and philosophy for children with any condition affecting their motor (physical) development.
“I decided then that I wanted to be a physical therapist for youth and individuals with physical disabilities,” she says.
Over the past three years as a kinesiology student, she has considered a number of different career paths other than physical therapy, but she is steadfast about wanting to work with youth or adults with disabilities.
As part of her research course at KPE, she is working with Associate Professor Kelly Arbour-Nicitopoulos and her research team to find the best strategies that foster quality participation on playgrounds for youth and children with disabilities. She is also working at the Jays Care Foundation on their inclusive programs teams, as part of KPE's in-field learning program.
In the summer of 2020, Sottile started her jewelry business. A departure from the norm? Not at all, she explains.
“I have always loved jewelry and accessories, but this venture allowed me to merge my love for accessories and my passion for helping individuals of all abilities by creating inclusive jewelry,” she says.
Her company, called Haven and Co., sells necklaces with add-on magnetic clasps designed for individuals who struggle with fine motor skills.
“This lets them put necklaces on and take them off with ease,” says Sottile.
The add-on magnetic clasps are also sold individually and can be added to any necklace to make it more accessible. Sottile donates 10 per cent from every order to a charity selected monthly.
“Haven and Co. offers inclusive, high-quality jewelry that can be used and loved by all,” says Sottile. “My goal is to make the world a little more inclusive one necklace at a time.”
Although she is the sole owner of Haven and Co., Sottile says she would not be able to run her business without the help of her support system, including her parents, sister, friends, boyfriend - and dog.
“My mom recently knit me jewelry pouches and my dad is my IT support and does all the post office runs,” she says. “My lovely sister and friends model my jewelry for all my photoshoots and are always wearing it and showing it off.”
Her boyfriend acts as the soundboard for her ideas and cheers her on, while the puppy helps with the recycling, ripping up the cardboard boxes after they’ve been used.
“I’m so grateful for their support,” says Sottile. “It really is a family affair.”