Strut/Sport/Style: Achilles Boston Adaptive Fashion Show

Since 1983, Achilles has empowered more than 150,000 athletes of all ages and ability levels to compete at endurance events around the world. At Achilles International Boston, the finish line isn’t just a goal—it’s a gateway. This nonprofit is on a mission to transform the lives of people with disabilities through the power of sport and community. Whether you're an athlete, a guide, or a volunteer, Achilles opens doors to movement, confidence, and connection by breaking down barriers and making participation in endurance events more accessible to all. 

For one passionate member of the team, Joe Lemar, the journey started organically, a way to give back to a sport that has taken him across the globe. 

That spirit of inclusion sparked a bold idea: a fashion show that seamlessly blends the worlds of sports and style. Fashion and sport have always shared a runway, and it’s time that runway made room for everyone. Adaptive fashion is more than a trend; it’s a necessity. With one in four Americans living with a permanent disability, representation isn't just a “nice-to-have,” it’s essential. Through initiatives like this, Achilles Boston is using fashion as a powerful medium to celebrate ability, promote inclusivity, and redefine what it means to move with confidence. 

On March 16, 2025, the Reggie Lewis Center turned into the ultimate celebration of style without limits. The Achilles International Boston Adaptive Sports & Fashion Show brought together athletes, designers, and a community of change makers, all in the name of fashion that fits everyone.

Models, many of them athletes with disabilities, owned the runway, proving that performance and polish go hand in hand. Local TV favorites Jason Mikell (WBZ Channel 4) and Kelly Sullivan (Boston 25) kept the energy high, hosting the show with style, spirit, and heart.

This wasn’t just another fashion show. It was a moment. A celebration of strength, self-expression, and the beauty of being seen—exactly as you are.

Want to get involved? Lemar says, “Sign up for Achilles Boston to be a guide or volunteer or athlete. Inform people about who we are and what we do…Also donate so athletes get and have what they need to be able to participate.” Start here→  https://www.achillesinternational.org/boston

ALL Photo Credit: @samantha.s.photo.s