FRAMES FOR
CHILDREN WITH
DOWN SYNDROME
By Jody Johnson-Petit
Canadian eyecare professionals can
now offer frames designed specifically
for children with Down syndrome and
other needs.
SPECS4US was founded by optician
Maria Dellapina.
“The driving force for starting SPEC-
S4US would be my daughter Erin. Erin
was born with Down syndrome and
needed glasses at an early age,”
she says.
“However, I couldn’t get her to wear
glasses because they didn’t fit properly
and were uncomfortable.”
Nearly 87 per cent of children with
Down syndrome will need glasses
before preschool.
“Being an optician, I set out to find
frames that would fit the unique features
associated with Down syndrome,” says
Dellapina. “I was frustrated when
I couldn’t find anything to fit the bill,
so I designed a frame with shortened
temples, extra wide frame fronts and
a lowered bridge.
24 OPTICAL PRISM | March 2018
“When I gave the new glasses to Erin,
I was overwhelmed with the positive
changes it made in her life. Once Erin
could see properly, she made great
strides and advances in her learning
and education.
“I started designing Erin’s World frames
by SPECS4US because I knew that other
parents and individuals with Down
syndrome were experiencing the same
problems and would benefit from prop-
erly fitting frames.” People with Down
syndrome often have low nose bridges,
small ears and wide temple areas.
Many have a problem with standard
frames sliding down their nose.
“Our frames differ from typical frames
in that they have a lowered bridge and
temple placement, and extended front
end piece to provide a wider fit in the
temple area across the front of the face,”
says Dellapina. “Many of our frames
have a flexible bridge and 180-degree
spring hinge, making them more dura-
ble than most frames.”
Dellapina has been recognized for her
work and simple mission to improve
the sight and quality of life for children
with special needs, one frame at a time.
“I’ve received countless emails from
parents thanking me for helping their
children see better, and each one touches
my heart,” she says. “However, the mo-
ment that stands out the most for me
is when I won the Toyota Mother of
Invention Award in 2015. Being recog-
nized nationally was an honour and
a truly stand-out moment in my life
when I realized I was making a differ-
ence on a large scale.”
SPECS4US Erin's World frames are
available in different sizes, colours
and styles.
Based in Burton, Ohio, SPECS4US
does wholesale and ships its frames to
offices in countries including Canada.
To order frames or request more infor-
mation, call SPECS4US at 1-800-586-
1885 or email [email protected].