Susan Thomas knew by about five years old that she wanted to be a nurse, so she considers it a blessing to have spent 30 years doing just that in an oncology setting. She says it’s an honor to have assisted cancer patients in the Detroit area throughout her career and their entire journey.
When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, Susan quickly discovered the resources available to her were very limited. Losing her hair was made even more traumatic because the selection of wigs available was so poor, both in quality and style. She actually went through nine wigs in six months, and recalls feeling like she and the other women sitting in the chemotherapy room all looked like aliens with the same horrible wig.
Susan realized it was time to take what she had learned as a nurse and patient to create something worthwhile. Her passion for continuing to help people was just the spark she needed to expand the services available to women going through treatment.
Initially, she and husband David (a marketing professional) put their heads together developing and designing turbans which they sold through retail shops across the country. In the late ‘90s, people in their community began asking them why they didn’t open a store in their area, so in 2000 Susan’s Special Needs became a reality. At its inception, the shop carried just turbans and wigs. It wasn’t too long before one of their reps said if they were going to provide that service, they might as well include bras and forms as well.
According to Susan, “It was at this juncture we decided to add the additional product lines and become fitters. I now have three part-time people assisting who are all fitters as well. We provide a full-service store to our customers so they can get all the products they need under one roof. Because I’m a breast cancer survivor, I can evaluate items myself for their functionality. I am passionate about carrying products based on quality, comfort level, and to fulfill the special needs of each of the women I serve. We want to help women to feel as normal as possible, so our products, support and friendships are keys to making this possible.”
Susan’s Special Needs sees 2,500 women in the shop each year, so it’s obvious she is filling a much needed niche in her community. Since she fully understands that dealing with breast cancer is no walk in the park, Susan has made sure her shop provides a setting that is not only filled with great products, but also allows her customers to feel pampered and happy – as if they are strolling along a street in Paris.
Women are treated to coffee and cookies while they shop for everything from skin care products and gentle cleansers, to wigs, turbans, intimate wear, swimsuits, hot flash wear, mastectomy bras, forms and much, much more. Even the walls contain gorgeous murals of Paris street scenes.
The fitting room is named for a former (and much-loved customer), Bobo, so Susan feels even though she is gone, Bobo is always watching over the women in the shop. Additionally, there is Monique’s Millinery, designed to capture the magic of a Paris hat shop, where women can work with a cosmetologist. Lulu’s Lingerie, providing women with a setting to luxuriate and try on beautiful items. Even the wig, turban and accessories room is called 27 Rue de Cambon, in keeping with the overall theme.
Susan and her staff are very devoted to the women they serve. As she tells us, “I learn something from each person I see. There are many women we’ve worked with since we first opened, so we have built relationships with them. We talk about family and how they are feeling. When women come in they are not only talking to me and my staff, but to the other women in the store. It’s both amazing and comforting to realize just how much sharing goes on! As a breast cancer survivor I am both grateful to be of service and happy that my shop makes a difference in the lives of so many women!”
It’s easy to see that the service and devotion Susan has created can best be summed up by the simple French phrase: C’est si bon!
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