Young Entrepreneur Crafts Success: How Khamani Edwards Turns Challenges into Creativity
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Jill Dando News Disability Correspondent
Khamani Edwards is 17 years old, an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of KJ's Craft Time, which he launched in 2021 to inspire creativity for children through educational and fantasy-themed craft boxes.
He was born with Dystonia, a physical disability that affects his mobility and causes random tremors. Drawing from his own personal experience, he recently introduced a Special Educational Needs Range featuring adaptive tools that make creativity accessible to all.
Due to complications at birth, Khamani was born with brain damage and later diagnosed with Dystonia, which affects his mobility and causes random tremors.
To help manage his dystonia, he has had Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, which involves neuro stimulation brain implants, commonly known as DBS.
Khamani had his first brain surgery when he was 8 years old.
CENMAC supported Khamani with assistive technology from his reception year at Primary School, but it was only during the lockdown that he created a short film for CENMAC discussing how their support with assistive technology made a significant difference during that time.
From then, the relationship grew, and Khamani was offered a role as a CENMAC Ambassador.
As an ambassador, Khamani interviewed a series of inspiring people who also use assistive technology (AT) and/or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to support their communication.
He conducted these interviews to raise awareness of the benefits of assistive technology. He also has the privilege of being the MC at the annual trade show that showcases and celebrates assistive technology.
Khamani started to raise awareness of disabilities because they are not spoken about enough, and there are many disabilities people have never heard of.
Khamani said, "I aspire to be a TV presenter and continue my journey into entrepreneurship and grow KJ's Craft Time, particularly in making arts and crafts more accessible so that there are no barriers to creativity."
His positive message is: "No matter the challenge or obstacles you are facing, you can do whatever you want to do in life"
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