Help the Wounded Vets

I had the pleasure of listening to a speaker at my Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) meeting that really got my attention concerning what a person can do to help the wounded vets.

I am aware of the wonderful work done by the Wounded Warrior Project, and there are many other groups and individuals that are working to help these patriots that have given so much. The lady that spoke at our meeting was a member of Sew Much Comfort, which was new to me.

The simple clothing they make for wounded soldiers that are missing limbs or have other physical problems allows the soldier to be comfortable and more importantly beimore independent.

"To provide custom – made adaptive clothing, free of charge, to all wounded service members from current conflicts and from all branches of the military and National Guard. We wish to aid in their recovery, provide a tangible reminder of our gratitude for their sacrifice and give them an added measure of comfort, dignity and freedom as they recover from their injuries and return to everyday life.

Adaptive clothing accommodates their medical devices and situations, provides ease-of-use, increases personal independence and minimizes the visual impact of their injuries."

Sew Much Comfort was founded in November 2004, and they have distributed more than 134,536 pieces of adaptive clothing to our wounded vets since that time. The adaptive clothing is donated to the vets in all branches of the service, so there is no cost to them. There are over 300 women in the United States and also women in Germany who make this clothing.

The adaptive clothing is designed to be completely opened from the right side, left side or double, which means both sides of the garment. The pants and shorts have Velcro running down the full length of the side opening. This allows the medical staff and family to have easy access to the injury site. The shirts have a Velcro button closure system, and they are available in short sleeve and long sleeves. Most of the clothing is available in a variety of colors and styles.

There are military IPFU shorts, athletic shorts and boxers in bundles of four. The lounge pants are PJ bottoms, sweatpants and athletic pants that are purchased in stores. The seamstress will open the seam from the waist to the ankle. These pants can also be designed to fit over an upper or lower external fixator.

The clothing is all always new, and the styles are current. The clothing is adapted using Sew Much Comforts copyrighted patterns and instructions or they may be purchased garments that are redesigned. There are some female garments available as well.

The shirts include:

• Military IPFU (Improve Physical Fitness Uniform)
• Long short and long sleeve T-shirts
• Sweatshirts
• Polo shirts
• Pajamas, lounge pants fixator pants are also available.
• Athletic shorts
• Pajamas
• Boxers
• Sweat pants

The sizes of the pants range from small (28' - 31.5") to XX Large (50" - 53.5"), and the shirts also range from small (28' - 37.5'0 to XX Large (50" - 53.5"). The clothing is shipped from there Distribution Facility in Boulder, Colorado, usually within 2 to 3 days. They attempt to keep fully stocked. Individuals or hospitals may order the clothing.:

Quite often vets injuries may require a large fixator, a prosthetic or large tasks that are too bulky to fit under ordinary clothing. The adaptive clothing gets the vet out of a hospital gown and into something comfortable that looks better.

This organization does a great service for our soldiers as many of them are hospitalized for very long periods of time. Instead of wearing a hospital gown that flaps open if you’re moving around, the deserving veterans are able to recover with a little bit of comfort and dignity.

Sew Much Comfort is the only non-profit organization that provides adaptive clothing to wounded vets at no cost to the vet. Sew Much Comfort depends totally on the volunteers that do the sewing and people that donate money.

This organization has partnered with the General Federation of Women’s Club.

People make monetary donations, or they purchased gift cards that will fund the needed garments and supplies. This organization is certainly making a difference in the lives of many veterans.

I really love the concept of this organization, and you may not have money to donate. Perhaps you have a sewing machine and are able to donate some of your time. Sometimes it's the little things that we do for someone that count the most.