Country Women’s Association members are lending their skills to a heartwarming cause: stitching beanbags for stroke patients at Goulburn Valley Health.
These beanbags serve as comfort aids for stroke survivors, snugly fitting around their wheelchairs to support the arm impacted by the stroke.
“The hospital was accepting donated beanbags from another person, but their circumstances changed, so we jumped on board and started with a working bee, and it is our way of committing to the community,” CWA Eastern Goulburn Valley group president Helen Sands said.
“To buy them is pretty expensive, so it is much easier for us to make them instead of donating money for the hospital to buy.
“It allows us to work as a group and do something useful for the community, and we have had positive feedback, which is great.”
GV Health senior rehabilitation physiotherapist and beanbag organiser Shauna Picard said it was often difficult for the arm to recover post-stroke.
“The various staff at GV Health who assist stroke patients are appreciative of the work of the CWA,” she said.
“Depending on the injury, it can be challenging for patients to gain recovery in their arm, so the beanbags create that support to make them comfortable and aid in their recovery.
“Every beanbag is different and the CWA make them in bright colours, so every patient has their own individual beanbag and it brightens their day.”
The CWA members generously source the materials and zips at no cost to GV Health, ensuring patients can take them home for continued comfort.
“Once discharged from the hospital, the patients take the beanbags home with them and keep them, which is very useful,” Ms Picard said.
“Once at home, they can use them in their armchairs and beds so that they are having continued comfort after their hospital stay.”
To donate washable material or zips to assist the CWA in making the beanbags, contact Karen Saccuzzo on 0428 898 231 or via email: karen.saccuzzo@gvhealth.org.au