GlamSticks, the one-stop shop for ‘Bling’ designer mobility aids, have used their talents and experience to create the first ever Swarovski encrusted running blade. In conjunction with Dorset Orthopaedics, who provided the blade, they’ve designed this one of a kind extravagant aid to show that, even on the sports field, style and disability are able to come together.
The beautiful blade was provided by Dorset Orthopaedics and then sent to GlamSticks HQ where the owner Sharon Farley-Mason did her magic to create this unique Swarvoski item. The blade was decorated in a process which involved hand-adorning it with extreme care and precision. All told, almost 6000 individual Swarovski crystals were used to decorate it. The level of detail is astonishing; bling is the only word to describe it!
The blade is clearly a statement piece but it is also making another profound statement about design and disability. Whilst able bodied sports equipment has, for many years, focused increasingly on design and style, nobody has ever really done anything like this with disabled equipment. As big brands like Nike and Adidas have created shoes that reflect the lifestyle and personality of the wearer, blades have largely remained plain, functional and a little bit dull by comparison. Seldom do you see a footballer or a runner in plain black shoes these days, so why should disabled athletes be any different?
This running blade has really brought home the point that this needn’t be the case. With a little bit of thought, craft and care, high quality disabled sports equipment can be attractive too. It may be a one of a kind for now, but it’s something of a trailblazer and more could come in the future.
In fact, if anyone is interested in getting their own Swarovski running blade they should now be able to. All they need to do is contact Dorset Orthopaedics for blades first, before sending them to GlamSticks.
The GlamSticks website is the only place where you can get Swarovski encrusted crutches, canes, walking sticks and (now) running blades! They take the best available mobility aids, ergonomically speaking, and then give them their distinct style. As well as Swarovski designs they also have other funky options with fun colours and patterns for all mobility aids. The company were Winners of Mobility Product of the Year in 2011 and we’ve endorsed them ourselves on many occasions.
This beautiful running blade confirms our suspicion that GlamSticks owner, Sharon Farley-Mason, can take almost any mobility aid and give it the necessary bling and opulent design required for a glamorous modern lifestyle. It must be great to see as this sparkling running blade goes flying round the track. The shiny silver blur as it whizzes around must be incredible. You just have to feel for the people who are going to see it flashing past as they’re being overtaken!