So, this is a really fun and very special Kula. We were connected with Ryan Standish by his partner Lauren Echo, who happens to be one of our most-favorite-in-the-whole-wide-world Kula artists!
Ryan is a professional mountain biker who's dad has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). He uses this as a way to raise awareness and funds for the National MS Society, an organization focused on cutting-edge research, advocacy and outreach, professional education, and providing programs and services to help people affected by MS move their lives forward. This was also a catalyst in creating the Rocket Sloth brand to increase awareness for MS and those affected by it.
So what is a Rocket Sloth?
The idea of Rocket Sloth started a few years ago, when Ryan's father’s MS symptoms were progressing more rapidly. He was losing strength and control of his legs which caused him to move a lot slower and more awkwardly than he ever had. Ryan's father is also very enthusiastic about all things outer space, so Ryan thought it would be fun to have a sloth riding a rocket to symbolize what his Dad was going through in an uplifting way. Suddenly, the Rocket Sloth was born.
The original Rocket Sloth concept morphed into an idea of how Ryan looks at life: go fast, but keep it chill. We live in a world that tells us we have to move at lightning speed to be successful, but the truth is that everything good takes time and there is no rush.
Useful links for more information:
National MS Society
website: nationalmssociety.org
instagram: @mssociety
Rocket Sloth Co
website: rocketslothco.com
instagram: @rocketslothco
Ryan
website: ryanstandish.com
instagram: @ryanstandwich