After seeing a social media post by an occupational therapist at the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab (SRAL), Diveheart volunteer & adaptive buddy, Ruth Ann Aves turned her lifelong sewing skills into a gift for others by creating and delivering over a hundred homemade cloth masks to (SRAL).
Aves was inspired originally when she met Chris Block in Cozumel Mexico in 2019. Chis spent four months at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab after he suffered a spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. On the trip she was training to become a Diveheart adaptive dive buddy and gained experience by working with Chris. They became friends and Chris introduced her to several therapist and rehabilitation doctors from (SRAL).
Once the homemade masks were approved during the Covid19 pandemic, and Ruth Ann heard that there was a need at (SRAL) she broke out the sewing machine and got right to work. The masks have been well received at the hospital and as supplies for the masks become available, Aves makes another batch.
Most of the home made masks are going to family and loved ones of patients in the hospital. The masks allow family to see their loved ones who are patients, whereas without the masks, they would not be allowed to visit.
“It was exciting to be able to give back to those who had meant so much to Chris and so many others in need” said Aves
“I was able to deliver my first donation of 19 masks by April 4. Slowed by a world shortage of elastic, I delivered another 34 on April 9. I was also able to give several to 5 other families that also made requests in the neighborhood. Aves says that she will continue to make masks as long as they are needed and as long as she can get the materials needed to make them.
#covid19 #pandemic #facemasks #socialdistancing #volunteering#givingback #payitforward #sewing
Aves was inspired originally when she met Chris Block in Cozumel Mexico in 2019. Chis spent four months at Shirley Ryan Ability Lab after he suffered a spinal cord injury that left him a quadriplegic. On the trip she was training to become a Diveheart adaptive dive buddy and gained experience by working with Chris. They became friends and Chris introduced her to several therapist and rehabilitation doctors from (SRAL).
Once the homemade masks were approved during the Covid19 pandemic, and Ruth Ann heard that there was a need at (SRAL) she broke out the sewing machine and got right to work. The masks have been well received at the hospital and as supplies for the masks become available, Aves makes another batch.
Most of the home made masks are going to family and loved ones of patients in the hospital. The masks allow family to see their loved ones who are patients, whereas without the masks, they would not be allowed to visit.
“It was exciting to be able to give back to those who had meant so much to Chris and so many others in need” said Aves
“I was able to deliver my first donation of 19 masks by April 4. Slowed by a world shortage of elastic, I delivered another 34 on April 9. I was also able to give several to 5 other families that also made requests in the neighborhood. Aves says that she will continue to make masks as long as they are needed and as long as she can get the materials needed to make them.
#covid19 #pandemic #facemasks #socialdistancing #volunteering#givingback #payitforward #sewing
