For Kadence Trosper, an honors student majoring in apparel merchandising and product development, fashion is more than just style, it’s a thread of independence. Inspired by her grandfather’s eight-year battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, Kadence is using her honors thesis to design adaptive clothing that enhances comfort and accessibility for ALS patients.

Her capstone project focused on designing a men’s T-shirt and pants with adaptive elements, including a unique closure method, feeding tube access and a supportive neckline.

“Watching my grandfather struggle with his clothes after losing all mobility in his hands made me realize that there must be better options for patients like him,” Trosper explained. “If they didn’t exist, I wanted to create them in his honor.”

While her thesis takes a creative approach, Trosper conducted extensive research on ALS, adaptive clothing design and the apparel needs of patients. She explored the wide-ranging effects of the disease, recognizing how symptoms vary from person to person, and examined the social disassociation, barriers and occupational limitations many ALS patients experience.

Though she is grateful that her grandfather’s battle was slow progressing, Trosper vividly recalls how his condition became more apparent over time. It was through witnessing his struggles firsthand that she realized how little awareness the public has of ALS beyond the 2014 viral “Ice Bucket Challenge.”

She underscored the severity of ALS, calling it a devastating disease that leaves individuals “trapped in their bodies” as motor neurons and muscles deteriorate while the brain remains unaffected. Most significantly, there is still no cure.

Trosper’s thesis is more than just a research project — it is a deeply personal way to honor her grandfather’s legacy and spread awareness of ALS. Understanding that many patients struggle with mobility and nutrition challenges due to loss of limb function, she has developed two innovative clothing pieces: a shirt with discreet flaps that open for feeding tube access and pants featuring large zippers placed in the side seams, allowing for easier bathroom use without the physical strain of having to pull pants down.

Thoughtful design elements ensure dignity and independence with Velcro fastenings that keep the feeding tube access hidden when not in use.

Trosper received the Bumpers Undergraduate Research and Creative Grant that allowed her to purchase materials and produce her designs. Though she initially struggled to create a neck enclosure that could accommodate her grandfather’s brace — used in his final years when he lost the ability to hold up his head — she hopes future designs will feature a thicker collar for additional support.

One of Trosper’s most cherished memories of her grandfather is his unwavering love for the Dallas Cowboys. His enthusiasm for the team was infectious and became a cornerstone of their bond. To honor that legacy in a lasting, tangible way, Trosper took the initiative to design the sweatshirt and pants in the signature Cowboy blue, a tribute to her grandfather’s dedication to the legendary football team. She fondly recalls him cheering for the Cowboys even when they were underdogs, and taking her mother and uncles to games, creating lasting family memories.

“His passion for the team shaped my own childhood and inspired me to continue rooting for the Cowboys,” Trosper reflects.

If given the opportunity to expand her work, Trosper would incorporate softer, higher-quality fabrics to enhance comfort. Though she acknowledges that the thicker material she ultimately used would help keep patients warm, which would address significant weight loss, a common ALS symptom. However, her ultimate priority is not in apparel manufacturing but in finding a cure or better treatment options. While adaptive clothing can ease daily challenges, she reminds us, “the disease itself is what eats away at patients.”

Her thesis stands as a testament to the power of innovation, resilience and the deep impact of honoring loved ones through research.

Looking ahead, Trosper is excited to embark on a new chapter of her journey. She has accepted a ministry resident position with Fellowship Bible Church, where she will gain hands-on experience in ministry. The role will deepen her skills in logistical planning and leadership while allowing her to continue making a meaningful impact in the community — the space that has always inspired her, no matter the field.