The world has lost a remarkable person who dedicated his life to spreading a message of love, acceptance, and empowerment for people with disabilities. Stevie Hopkins, the co-founder and director of 3E Love, passed away suddenly on January 25, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of inspiration and hope for countless individuals around the world.
BIO/WIKI
| Name | Stevie Hopkins |
|---|---|
| Birth date | July 23, 1981 |
| Disability | Spinal muscular atrophy |
| Education | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| First business | A web design company called WebWise |
| Wheelchair heart symbol | Created by his sister Annie in 2004 for a dorm t-shirt |
| 3E Love | Launched in 2007 as a clothing brand and a social movement |
| 3E Love meaning | Embrace, Educate, and Empower |
| International Day of Acceptance | Founded by Stevie in 2009 in honor of his sister Annie, who passed away on January 20, 2009 |
| Book | “Love You, Love Life: The Story of 3E Love and the Wheelchair Heart” |
| Death date | January 25, 2024 |
Who was Stevie Hopkins?
Stevie Hopkins was a serial entrepreneur who loved to create things. He was born with a physical disability, but he never let that define him. He embraced his challenges and used his creativity and passion to make a positive impact on society.
Hopkins started his first business when he was 15 years old, and since then, he launched several ventures with varying levels of success. He found his true calling in 3E Love, a social enterprise that he co-founded with his sister, Annie, who also had a disability.
3E Love stands for Embrace, Educate, and Empower, and it aims to promote a culture of acceptance and inclusion for people of all abilities. The symbol of 3E Love is a wheelchair in the shape of a heart, which represents the idea that disability is not a limitation, but a source of strength and love.
Stevie and Annie created the wheelchair heart symbol in 2004 for a dorm t-shirt, and they had no idea that it would become an international icon of disability awareness and pride. In 2007, they officially launched 3E Love as a clothing brand and a social movement, and they started selling t-shirts, stickers, and accessories with the wheelchair heart logo.
UIUC! Come out to Mumford Hall Room 103 at 7PM to hear about 3E Love from Stevie Hopkins, the co-founder himself! pic.twitter.com/ZvEjHd7N4i
— Merril (@MerrilEye) April 11, 2013
What was Stevie’s impact?
Stevie’s impact was immense and far-reaching. He touched the lives of thousands of people with his products, his words, and his actions. He was a leader, a mentor, a friend, and a role model for many people in the disability community and beyond.
Stevie Hopkins used 3E Love as a platform to share his message of acceptance and love with the world. He collaborated with various disability organizations and events, and he donated hundreds of t-shirts every year for the International Day of Acceptance, which he founded in honor of his sister, who passed away in 2009 due to complications from a routine medical procedure.
The International Day of Acceptance is celebrated every year on January 20, and it is a day to recognize and appreciate the diversity and value of people with disabilities. Stevie encouraged people to wear the wheelchair heart symbol on that day and every day, and to share their stories and experiences with others.
Stevie also used his voice and his writing skills to advocate for disability rights and issues. He wrote a blog, a newsletter, and a book, titled “Love You, Love Life: The Story of 3E Love and the Wheelchair Heart”. He also gave speeches, interviews, and workshops, where he shared his personal journey and his vision for a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Stevie was not only a successful entrepreneur and a passionate activist, but he was also a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. He had a kind heart, a generous spirit, and a great sense of humor. He enjoyed traveling, music, sports, and spending time with his family and friends. He was always ready to help others, to listen, and to learn.
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How can we honor Hopkins’s memory?
Hopkins’s memory will live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew him and those who were inspired by him. His family, friends, and fans have expressed their grief and their gratitude for his life and his work on social media and other platforms. They have also shared their stories and photos of how Stevie and 3E Love have changed their lives for the better.
One of the ways we can honor Stevie’s memory is to continue his mission of spreading love, acceptance, and empowerment for people with disabilities. We can do this by wearing the wheelchair heart symbol, by educating ourselves and others about disability issues, by supporting disability organizations and causes, and by embracing our own and others’ differences and abilities.
We can also honor Stevie’s memory by living by his motto: “Love you, love life”. This means that we should love ourselves for who we are, and love our lives for what they can be. We should pursue our dreams, overcome our challenges, and celebrate our achievements. We should also love others for who they are, and love our world for what it can be. We should respect, appreciate, and care for each other, and work together to make our world a better place.
Stevie Hopkins was a beacon of acceptance and love, and he will be dearly missed by many. He left us with a powerful message and a beautiful legacy, and we can honor him by carrying on his spirit and his vision. As he once said, “The wheelchair heart is not just a symbol, it’s a way of life”.
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