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Clothing Company Empowers People With Disabilities

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- A local clothing company is empowering people with disabilities. The line was inspired by a sister's love for her brother with down syndrome.

Jose Bowles worked as a volunteer for Best Buddies International when he met Chris Gay, who has down syndrome.

Cynthia, Chris' sister, and Jose fell in love but it was their love for Chris that inspired a clothing line named after the year he was born - 1986.

"All of our t-shirts have positive messages. Whether it's more than down portraying Chris or anyone with a disability or down syndrome is much more than just down syndrome," said Jose.

The company 1986 Clothing Co. has a variety of different shirts that create awareness and hopefully acceptance of those with disabilities.

The shirts showcase messages - pure love, leader, special not different.

But the first design they ever created has the word "disabilities" written on it. The first three letters are scratched out.

"The word disability, we minimized the first three letters and do a scribble so people just really focus on the abilities that people with disabilities have," Cynthia said.

And Chris has a lot of abilities to focus on. He plays soccer, basketball, and softball. Chris also participated in the special Olympics where he won gold medals.

"I feel that he just makes everything more beautiful and that's exactly what we want to bring about with 1986. That people with disabilities make things much more special and more beautiful," Cynthia said.

And the feeling between these siblings is mutual.

"She's the best sister in the world," Chris said.

But she's also a protective sister.

"When I was a child I used to get upset when they used to stare at my brother so that's exactly why I think 1986 is helping people to talk about people with disabilities," she said.

Their wish is to create a society where everyone is accepted for all their abilities, a wish that is well on its way to becoming true.

Apart from showcasing your support for people with disabilities, upon check out, you'll be able to choose from six different charities to give 10 percent of the sales to. If you want to find out how to buy a shirt from 1986 clothing, click here.

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