Lou first met Reggie Bibbs back in 1989 when STANANDLOU was asked to write and produce a series of public service TV commercials for the Texas Neurofi bromatosis Foundation.
Reggie, who has a rather severe case of NF, wanted to tell his story of what it was like living with NF and the many challenges that go with being severely disfi gured.
A meeting was arranged and after a few hours and many tears (Lou's), a friendship was born that continues to this day. Through the years, Reggie and Lou remained in touch by working on various projects to promote awareness of Reggie's disorder, Then in February of 2007, Reggie called Lou to ask a special favor.
Would Lou design him a t-shirt that read "Just Ask!" When asked why, Reggie replied that he knows when he walks through airports or at shopping malls, he sees people looking at him curiously as though they want to talk with him but they never do. He figured if he had a t-shirt that gave people permission to "Just Ask" him about his disorder, it would be a good thing.
And that is how the "Just Ask!" movement was born.
Shortly thereafter, Reggie realized that he could reach a lot more people if he had a website. So, Lou designed a website for Reggie, which he modestly named ReggieBibbs.com, which led to another website for the Just Ask Foundation, a 501c3. Then, a YouTube account. Then MySpace. Then Flickr. Then Facebook. Vimeo, etc. Slowly, Reggie and "Just Ask!" became international phenomena with millions of visitors logging in to find out more about Reggie, his disorder and the friends he has made.
Today, Reggie is the de facto face of NF and its most recognizable ambassador. He is a much sought after speaker at NF events around the world and is committed to help raise money for research to help fund a cure.
Not surprisingly, his work has inspired others with NF to join his cause. Through the sale of "Just Ask!" t-shirts, Reggie is now able to give others with NF not only the courage but also the ammunition to go out and have people "Just Ask!" them about their disease.
The mission continues to this day.
