We were recently featured in The Boston Globe.
Cancer the mother of invention
August 26, 2007
Following a mastectomy to combat a breast cancer diagnosis in 2001, Kimberly of Stoneham said she struggled to find a bra that would conceal her scars and prosthesis while allowing her to continue wearing the clothes she already owned.
"I finally found one store that sold prosthetic bras, but they only had basic white and black -- nothing with a thin strap, never mind strapless. I asked the saleswoman, 'Is this it?' and she said, 'You're lucky you're alive,' " said Kim, who teaches English and journalism at a local high school.
"I am lucky, but I still have to get dressed every day. I kept wondering how many other people are thinking, 'What about me?' " |
Kimberly (left), shown at her daughter Amanda's wedding, has designed a line of fashionable prosthetic bras.
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Kim began designing her own line of prosthetic bras and mortgaged her home to finance the development of five prototypes. Dubbed "Kimberly Ashmand" after her daughters, Ashley and Amanda, Kim's company offers a variety of styles, sizes, and colors with touches such as lace, rhinestones, and clear and decorative straps. Next up, she said, is a line of prosthetic bathing suits, also "with a little bling."
Although word-of-mouth has largely spread through physician offices, Kim has received online orders from Georgia, Nevada, and Colorado. Her dream, she said, is for fellow breast cancer survivors to be able to choose from a large selection of off-the-rack prosthetic bras in the regular lingerie section of department stores.
"The story of my diagnosis is the same as a lot of people's, but I've tried to make something positive out of it," said Kim, who wore one of her strapless creations under her mother-of-the-bride dress at her daughter Amanda's wedding in October. "That's what I teach the kids at school. You may think you have to get all A's and be the star athlete, but in the end, how did you make a difference? That's what it's all about."
For more information, visit www.kimberlyashmand.com and www.kamastectomybras.com.
CINDY CANTRELL
© Copyright 2007 Globe Newspaper Company.
