Looking at the overhead handles on my '02 Escape, it would seem that they
are mounted to small brackets welded to the inside of the roof. If the
brackets are there on your '08, you may be able to get handles from a junk
yard that would match your interior color. Other than that, I don't know
what to tell you. I haven't seen any after-market grips like that. Would the
ones for the windshield pillar work for you? They might be easier to rig.

Good luck,
SC Tom

 If there isn't a pre-made kit, you can make one.  The handle itself
should be available at the parts counter, or at a wrecking yard if
they haven't changed from year to year.

 You'll need to pop open the edge of the headliner and look, but you
probably don't have the threaded inserts there to hold the mounting
screws.  There are several solutions that can be used - first and
easiest, they make big "speednuts" that have a stamped spring steel
c-clip body that clamps over the sheetmetal edge, and a threaded
attachment point on the back to screw the handle to.  That might be
how the factory does it, I've never looked.

 Or you get riv-nuts.  They are a cross between a pop rivet and a
threaded insert, you can use a regular heavy-duty pop rivet tool with
a special threaded mandrel to install them.  If you plan to do lots of
them, they sell special purpose-built rivet setters that have a handle
to unthread the mandrel easily without disassembling the whole tool.

 WARNING:  If the car has side curtain airbags they are under the
door garnish trim, don't do ANYTHING up there that isn't factory
approved.  A "Field Expedient" (AKA cockamamie) solution for the
handles might interfere with airbag deployment, and in mid-accident is
NOT when you want to find out you broke them.

     --<< Bruce >>--

My 2005 came with either the assist handles or side air bags, not both.
I think the 2008 comes with side air bags, so you've probably lost the
ability to add the handles.