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ROAL assembles 'fixator pants' to assist wounded By Lor O'Brien
Correspondent
A local group of concerned individuals are on a mission to raise funds for its "Fixator Pants" project.
The Reserve Officers Association League (ROAL) of Western Massachusetts has set a goal of making 50 to 100 fixator pants for American military personnel who have been seriously injured or wounded in combat. Fixator pants feature one leg that is 36" in diameter so as to fit over the metal fixators soldiers have around their injury, according to Jeanne Swindell of South Hadley, one of the coordinators of the ROAL project.
"We are very enthusiastic about this project," said Swindell during an interview with Reminder Publications.
Swindell explained that ROAL President Cathy Luke of Chicopee first heard about the fixator pants project from representatives of Sew Much Comfort, a national nonprofit organization that is helping to fill the adaptive clothing needs of injured military personnel. Their motto is "sewing our support for the troops," and its members hope to provide each injured soldier with an individually designed and tailored wardrobe of adaptive clothing. All clothing made is free of charge to the soldiers.
Sew Much Comfort representatives contend that although modern medical technology is saving the lives of America's soldiers, medicine doesn't address some of their basic needs which includes clothing that accommodates medical devices such as braces, casts and prosthetics. They note on their website that many of the wounded troops are left with a hospital gown as their only clothing option.
Locally, the 25-member ROAL is currently soliciting monetary donations, as well as basic sewing items including snaps, Velcro and new flannel, to ensure it will have enough materials to generate the 50 to 100 fixator pants that members hope to make later this year.
Swindell estimates that each pair of fixator pants will cost the ROAL approximately $10 to make. The pants have been custom designed by Sew Much Comfort per medical and patients' specifications for comfort and ease during the soldier's rehabilitation.
Nancy Perman, a ROAL member and owner of Mantis Graphics in Easthampton, will offer her shop for one weekend in the coming weeks so that all the volunteers will have ample room to create the fixator pants.
Swindell added that local seamstresses interested in participating in this project are also greatly welcomed.
"We're excited to do this project," said Swindell, adding "we're working hard to get the project off the ground."
Swindell noted that several mothers and daughters of military personnel have agreed to volunteer their efforts with the project, as well as several soldiers who recently returned from Iraq.
Area residents interested in making tax-deductible donations may send a check to ROAL-Western MA, re: Fixator Pants, P.O. Box 291, Chicopee, MA 01021.
For more information on the project or to volunteer your time, contact Swindell at (413) 533-2020.
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