Teen with Autism Creates a Candle Company

There are a number of ways to raise awareness of autism. Some run fundraisers and some hold events to spread awareness. One teen found a unique way to raise awareness and inspire others with disabilities. 

Young 13-year-old Shane Popiny from Lansdale, Pennsylvania has both cerebral palsy and autism. Initially, he had run a fundraiser of making and selling soy candles to raise money to get his mobility service dog, Pepper, through Paws 4 Ability. Once Shane had achieved his goal and got Pepper, their company continued to grow. It developed into the company they now have called Shane and Pepper Candle Company. 

On their website, Shane shares that “he loved to watch the glow from a candle as it brought calmness within him.” This was where the idea of making and selling candles stemmed from as Shane wished to share the calmness that candles brought him with others. Currently, they are partnered with The Eagles Autism Foundation which is a part of the Philadelphia Eagles football team. If you are on the hunt for some candles, check out their website as their candles are “vegan friendly, bio-degradable, cruelty-free, non-toxic” as the website says.