Copied from my post on L&V:
About 8 years ago, a Jewish social services agency arranged for a monthly conference call for a group of mothers of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The calls lasted a few months, and before they ended, one mother realized how important it was to her to be able to connect to other women in similar situations. "SpecialFrumMoms" was born, an online listserv for Jewish women with special needs children.
There are now about 120 women who belong to the group, and the listserv averages 500-1000 messages a month. The mothers live around the country and around the world, and their children's situations range from mild medically to life-threatening on a daily basis. Some children have "invisible" developmental disabilities; some are noticeably or totally disabled. All are loved deeply by their mothers.
Many of the children are hospitalized regularly, whether for treatments, emergencies, disease flares, surgeries or almost anything else. Group member Robin Meltzer has decided to begin crocheting and knitting afghans for the children to receive when they are hospitalized or suffer other major medical setbacks or situations. She is looking for donations of blanket squares if anyone is up to crocheting or knitting to help her. She asks specifically:
Rectangle size should be 5"x7". It will take 49 rectangles to make a 36" x 50" afghan (35" x 49" with an addded inch for joining and border). After the 5"x7" is all done, go once around in single crochet. Please weave in your ends. If the person is a knitter only and does not know how to crochet, the knitter should include some extra yarn so I can border the rectangles. I strongly, strongly suggest that participants measure and cut out a 5"x7" rectangle out of cereal box cardboard so they can determine their gauge and make sure that the rectangle will fit it well with the others. Crocheted rectangles can be single, double or treble crochet, or a fairly dense pattern like shell stitch or basketweave. Knit rectangles can be garter, knit stitch or a non-stretchy pattern stitch (a.k.a. no rib stitches). Think durability. Also, everyone should be using a 4-ply, worsted weight, machine washable and dryable acrylic yarn. Please do not use a wool or wool blend -- too many kids are allergic.
Donations can be sent to Robin Meltzer, 11529 Lovejoy St, Silver Spring MD 20902, USA.
Thank you. I've waited til this point to mention that I'm the mother who created the listserv in the first place. Believe me that anyone who helps Robin help the children I've come to know and love will have a very special place in my heart.
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