Sew Much Comfort helps Soldiers cope with injuries

Published March 3, 2006
By Capt. Suzy Kohout
Office of Air Force Reserve Public Affairs

WASHINGTON -- With spools of thread, yards of fabric and an array of patterns, Air Force reservists help bring thousands of smiles to injured Soldiers hospitalized in rehabilitation facilities throughout the Washington, D.C., area and overseas.

“I learned about Sew Much Comfort after hearing about a special woman, Ginger Dosedel, who made clothing items for injured Soldiers,” said Maj. Sandra Edens, a personnel officer in the Pentagon’s Office of Air Force Reserve. “I wrestled with the idea for two days before I called Ginger.”

Last May Major Edens, now a regional director for Sew Much Comfort, introduced one of the internationally growing Sew Much Comfort volunteer non-profit groups to reservists in the Pentagon.

Ms. Dosedel started Sew Much Comfort after sewing clothing for her son, who after surviving cancer had to wear a fixator on his leg. Her son inspired her to continue making clothing for injured Soldiers after watching a newscast of Soldiers he met while being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s physical therapy clinic.

Primarily pants and boxers are the most requested adaptive clothing items. Typically one pant leg is slightly larger in diameter and is closed with Velcro in place of a side seam. The closure helps Soldiers with muscular and skeletal injuries, amputations and joint replacements wear their garments easier. The clothing created can be worn over arm and leg fixator devices that help the patients during their recuperation process.

Compared to Vietnam, military medicine is better able to save lives but many of those saved have horrific injuries, said Jan Bradley, a Sew Much Comfort member and wife of Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, commander of Air Force Reserve Command.

“Our Air Force Reserve folks afford these Soldiers increased independence and self confidence,” said Mrs. Bradley. “They just jumped on this (opportunity). They all work full time jobs and they still find time for this.”

A dozen Air Force Reserve men and women from the Pentagon meet weekly at Major Edens’ home to make custom clothing. Her now converted dining room holds six sewing machines, and the living room is just big enough to house the other volunteers who cut, prepare and package fabric and materials.

“I want to do something to help the troops who have made a huge difference,” said Senior Master Sgt. Yvette Smith of the commander’s action group. “I love the camaraderie of our group and working a couple hours a week is a small price to pay to benefit troops who have sacrificed themselves for our country.”

If volunteers cannot meet regularly, Major Edens also creates ready-made packets, which include instructions, precut material and sewing supplies.

Weekly, the group creates about 12 to 20 clothing items for male and female Soldiers. The clothing ranges from altered sweatpants, underwear, khaki shorts, dress pants and shirts, t-shirts and even swimsuits.

“Sometimes I’ll challenge those who come over to help sew,” said Major Edens. “One time I pledged that I would sew a pair of boxers for each pair sewn by the group, even if it meant not sleeping. By the end of the evening, the group and I created a total of 30 pairs.”

Besides sewing, Major Edens organizes clothing drives and fundraisers. She buys good quality sale items when she spots them.

“One time I was shopping at a local department store and bought on sale a $2 per yard fabric bolt,” she said. “Waiting in the checkout line, I received strange looks from a lady waiting behind me. She curiously asked why I needed so much fabric. After explaining the Sew Much Comfort group, she bought me five yards of fabric.” (AFRC News Service)