Today we’d like to introduce you to Gracie Whitton.
Gracie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My colon was paralyzed when I was four years old from a vaccine injury due to the MMR vaccine. I have always been in and out of the hospital from then on. I have two major surgeries, one in 2016 when I got my ACE port that I would put a catheter in to flush my colon nightly. It was supposed to help shrink my colon. It didn’t really work like they wanted to so in June of last year (2019) I had my ileostomy bag put on and my life has changed. I am healthier than I have ever been. The bag has helped me continue to do the things I love doing, like acting and dancing.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is never going to be a smooth road. With me at such a young age, I never thought I would miss so much school and feel horrible all the time. Most of my struggles were not being able to do the things I loved because I was sick all the time. It was hard to play when my stomach felt like it was in knots. I was constantly in pain. I had no control over my gut and my bowels for 11 years. I went through constant ridicule and bullying for my health and condition. I was either “that girl in movies” or “the sick girl”. I was never just Gracie. I have very few friends even now and honestly, sometimes, I wonder if that’s for the best. Before my ileostomy was placed, I was so underweight and did not realize what I was missing out on. With my ileostomy bag I can do anything and everything. And having great friends in the process that supports you is even better. Since we moved school districts, my team, classmates and teachers have been so supportive.
Please tell us about Phoenix Rising Apparel.
My business Phoenix Rising Apparel started because I wanted to spread kindness in a world that can be sometimes not so kind. If you give a compliment to someone it can make their day a hundred times better. So I wanted to take the idea of kindness and positivity and make it something you can wear every day. We have started out with headbands by teaming up with Hipsy Headbands. I wouldn’t have gotten this started without their help. I will be starting a clothing line this year with the help of Cannon Boutique here in Saginaw, Texas. I hope to have body positive clothes that will show off those with ostomies and other disabilities as well as inspirational quotes and love. I am so proud of my company because with all that’s going on in the world, we need hope and courage to get through it together. I think my company sets apart from others because I am not in it for the money or fame. I am in it to spread kindness.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success as a favorable outcome. My criteria for success is that I want everyone to believe in each other. I want them to think they can do it without giving up. Success isn’t easy and neither is life. Markers I look for are people who do whatever it takes for them to do what they love.
My headbands are actually on sale right now 2 for $10. For every sale, I am donating $1 to my high school dance team that I am on. I actually have a School Spirit Line just for Boswell High School to promote positivity in our school and athletics department. My clothing line is going to be very affordable. I get frustrated when other lines say affordable then their shirts are $30-$40 or hoodies are $50-$60. That to me is not affordable for the average family. I truly want to make them where everyone can afford a shirt, hoodie or athletic apparel.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: GracieWhitton and PhxRisingApparel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhxRisingApparel/
- Twitter: GracieWhitton and PhxRisApparel
- Other: Tik Tok: GracieWhitton
Image Credit:
Photographers: Michael Bezjian with The Artists Project & Getty Images, Rick Linthicum Photography (Gold Dust Dance Team), Sarah Adam (Phx Rising pictures)
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