From Therapist’s Toolbox to Family Home: The Story of Calmily

For two decades as a pediatric physical therapist, I worked with children and families navigating everything from developmental milestones to sensory challenges. And during that time, I tried every weighted tool on the market: blankets, vests, lap pads, stuffed animals, even compression clothing.

Each tool had its place but families kept running into the same frustrations.

• Blankets slid off and overheated kids.

• Lap pads weren’t portable.

• Vests felt clinical and stigmatizing.

• Kids either loved them or wouldn’t touch them at all.

I found myself thinking: There has to be something better.

The A-Ha Moment

What if there were a weighted tool that was simple, portable, flexible, and felt like something you’d actually want in your home? Not therapy equipment. Not medical gear. Just a soft, supportive pillow that works with everyday routines.

That’s where Calmily was born.

Handmade with Purpose

From the very beginning, it mattered to me that Calmily wasn’t just another product it had to have a mission. That’s why Calmily is made in the USA by the skilled team at Finger Lakes Textiles, part of an ARC division employing people of all abilities. Every pillow you hold in your hands represents not just calm for your family, but meaningful work for someone in the community.

A Tool for All Neurotypes

I created Calmily to support children with sensory needs—but quickly realized it was helping siblings, parents, even grandparents. Calm isn’t just a therapy goal. It’s a human need. Calmily was designed to meet that need for everyone.

More Than a Product, a Movement

Calmily represents a shift in how we think about regulation tools. It’s about normalizing the fact that everyone kids, adults, neurodivergent or neurotypical needs ways to reset, to ground, and to feel safe in their own body.

The story of Calmily is simple: a therapist saw a need, listened to families, and built a tool that fits real life. From therapy rooms to family homes, Calmily is here to change the way we think about weighted support.