Trauma, Facing Fears and Healing: Powerful New Clothing Line Available Now

 "Breaking the chains of trauma. Healing one heart at a time."

This is the mission statement of Douglas Bird Clothing, a powerful and moving new clothing line. “This clothing represents strength in overcoming trauma. Facing fears that hold you back from achieving your purpose in life. A powerful placement of images and words placed on garments that can be worn with pride and giving the people who wear these garments an uplifting sense of freedom. Together we can change those struggling with mental health, bringing love into the hearts of the world.” (Facebook, Niall Schofield)

Warman resident, Niall Schofield, has recently launched his brand new line of clothing, Douglas Bird. Schofield comes from an extensive background in fashion, mentored by a designer from Milan while living in Vancouver, where he was in the industry for almost 20 years. During that time he found himself struggling with addiction born out of trauma from sexual abuse and being a Sixties Scoop survivor. Taken from his mother at birth, he was an FASD baby adopted at the age of six months into a Mennonite family. Even though he was cared for by loving adoptive parents, he struggled with losing his heritage and not knowing who is birth family was. Eventually he learned the names of his birth parents and has recently reconnected with many members of his birth family. He fought his way out of addiction and took time after recovery to think about what he is most passionate about.

“I am passionate about helping people,” Schofield says. “I found my birth family, my bloodline, which is where the bird (in the logo) comes from. I was named after my father, Douglas Whitehawk of the Cote First Nation, and my mother’s name was  Alice Bird, so she named me Douglas Bird, before I was adopted.”

Schofield has fought his way out of many years of trauma-related addiction and regained control of his life, and wanted to find a way to help others on the same path. He says, “With all the types of trauma that people go through every day, I want the words on our clothing to resonate with people so they think about what they are going through and face what they need to face so that they can overcome it. And to give them encouragement to forgive themselves so they can grow.”

We all carry pain and various types of trauma. Find one of our styles of clothing that suits what you carry in your everyday life and BREAK FREE from the trauma that holds you back. Forgive those you have hatred in your heart, forgive all who have caused harm to you and feel the chains slide off your shoulders as they hit the floor. Experience the sudden feeling of walking on air as you have created a positive change for yourself.” - Niall Schofield

There are several types of clothing in all sizes and hats available for men, women and children. Portions of clothing sale profits will be donated to various organizations. “We are teaming up with people passionate about helping those with mental health issues and giving back to many others who are in need,” Schofield says. The Douglas Bird logo on the clothing will change colour to relate to a certain charitable cause. The logo design will remain constant but the colour will change depending on the organization, and a portion of the sales of that particular colour design will be donated to that organization. “Our initial focus is on organizations related to FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), mental health and addictions, and outreach to indigenous communities. I want to be able to contribute to healing,” says Schofield.

Some of the Douglas Bird shirts have an inspirational poem on the back, written by Schofield’s aunt, Irene Bird: 

"RUNNING BACK
Wreckless and daring
Lived without caring.
Negativity, set strong in my mind.
Memories, following close behind.
Falling deeper, amid my pain.
My number one goal...locked in my brain.
To fulfill a need which was so strong.
Only then...did I truly belong.
Like unseen claws tightening their hold.
Squeezing the warmth til it left me cold.
Falling...falling into despair.
An outreached hand...to no one there.
Once again, I hear its call.
As I run back blindly to the alcohol.”

To get your Douglas Bird clothing, stop in at Stellar Gear at The Centre Mall, or click here to order online from Stellar Gear. Watch for the upcoming launch of their new website, www.douglasbirdclothing.com.