Broken Gear, an athletic-wear line that aims to empower injured veterans in their life after service, is a big source of pride for Rhode Island-based veteran Steve D'Amico.
According to Military Times, D'Amico is a former Rhode Island Air National Guard Technical Sgt. who was inspired to start the business after studying at the University of Connecticut's Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. He sustained an injury while serving that left him with permanent damage to his ankle and leg, forcing him into an early retirement. The military man also wears a brace on his leg every day – one of the things that inspired him to start Broken Gear.
Even with his disability, D'Amico knew he did not want to give up on his athletic pursuits. He knew that others in his place felt the same way, which is how he came up with the idea for the clothing line, which specializes in things like gear bags for servicemembers with prosthetics, in addition to T-shirts and other traditional sports-related apparel. Not only does D'Amico hope the message behind Broken Gear will help veterans get back in the game, but he wants to assist them financially as well.
Military Times reported that profits from his items will go toward helping injured soldiers achieve athletic goals. For example, if a servicemember could not afford a custom-made bike that supports his or her limitations, D'Amico hopes that Broken Gear could sponsor him or her and help pay for the athletic equipment. The company is also dedicated to honoring servicemembers through social media – if you have loved ones in the military, you can send their names to Broken Gear on Facebook and receive a special post with an appreciative shout-out.