As Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson military kids gathered to strut their stuff for the Exchange’s back-to-school fashion show, the main store team made sure one of the models in particular got her star turn.
10-year-old Aa’Myah Rushing has used a wheelchair since she was 4 years old. When Aa’Myah and her mom, Chantel, showed up the day of the fashion show, they discovered that the runway setup included stairs.
The Exchange team first suggested that Aa’Myah could take her turn alongside the runway. Chantel, however, asked if there was a way for Aa’Myah to go down the runway like the other kids, and the team worked with Chantel to make that happen. Chantel and associates lifted Aa’Myah and her chair onto the runway, and associates made sure her path was free of balloons or any other debris that might interfere with her wheels.
“She was happy the Exchange gave her the opportunity to participate in the fashion show,” Chantel said. “It made her feel like she belongs to the community and gave her a chance to feel like a normal kid.”
Aa’Myah was one of more than 40 children who showed off the Exchange’s latest styles in the fashion show. Two associates, Ann Hendrix and Claudia Lumbang, also modeled adult fashions for teachers and administrators. Sales and Merchandising Manager Joanne Alhambra coordinated the event, which was a big success. The store’s customer count for the day was about 60% higher than a typical day.
“I think the associates enjoyed it almost as much as the kids did,” Alhambra said. “Aa’Myah and the others did such a great job.”
Aa’Myah was a natural on the runway, stopping to strike a pose halfway through. It was an experience she won’t soon forget.
“It was truly family serving family,” Chantel said.
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