Pattern Advice needed.
 

I've seen references to small quilts for Alzheimer's and Dementia patients. I'm wondering if something similar would be valuable for traumatic brain injury. Are there patterns or websites I can look to?

One of my son's friends from Boy Scouts was in a serious motorcycle accident last week and is currently in a coma with severe brain damage. The extent will not be known until he wakes up. We are hopeful that this young man will wake up. My son wants to get his group of Scouts (the 2012 Phoenix patrol) together to make a small quilt for A. A was his Troop Guide when Gus crossed into the troop (A is 20 or 21 now, Gus is 14 now) and taught him a lot of the basics in scouting.

We are in that feeling helpless and not sure how best to help stage. I've got ideas for a hospital bed sized quilt to make for him when he wakes up. Gus wants to do something on a smaller scale and does want it to be his and his friends' work.

Thanks, K

Why smaller? The guy won't be in a wheelchain any time soon. I'd make a twin sized quilt. Enlarge blocks to cut down on the work. I'm just not seeing the value in a small quilt for a guy who's in coma. Maybe, I'm missing something.

I have plans for a larger quilt. However - my son and his friends are 13 and 14 and want to do something themselves - and they want to do smaller. Our hope is that he wakes - and we have no sense of the extent of the damage until he does so.

K

How about a quilted pillow covering. That would be something small.

I am part of a group that makes quilts for leukemia patients during their hospital stay. Our quilts are 45/50 x 60/65 so they won't interfere with the workings of the hospital bed, touch the possibly dirty floor or get in the way of any nearby medical equipment.

In addition, my mother has alzheimers. I made her a "fidget quilt" which is basically a quilt with many different textures for the patient to fidget with. Some of these quilts incorporate lace, zippers, buttons etc for playing with. They must be securely attached. This type of quilt may be helpful if there is brain damage to this person.

I don't know what to say but am sending prayers from the Gulf for a good recovery for everyone involved in this young man's life. I would go with Kenmoregal2's comment!

Also ditto Tartan's comment!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/0...ementia-Quilts#

http://blog.laurawestkong.com/2008/1...eimers-part-2/

There are lots of other sites that come up. Although most are listed under dementia/Alzheimer's most of the documentation also refers to traumatic brain injuries.

you could combine Tartan's idea of visually interesting squares with textured squares, minkee, corduroy, velveteen, fleece etc.

I too agree with Tartan's suggestions. By being told, he will know that all his friends have signed the back of this quilt. It is amazing sometimes what modern medicine can do. He will be in my prayers.

Thanks! Fidget quilt was the name I was looking for. Thanks also for the dimensions to shoot for.

I do like the idea of wheelchair sized and will recommend that to them as it is a manageable size for all of us. I also like the suggestion of combining fabric textures. I have plenty of novelty fabrics that Gus and friends can raid - that are representative of his hobbies and interests.

I had also thought about signatures and messages being incorporated and will suggest that to Gus as well.

Positive news from earlier this morning is that he is now breathing on his own! A big first step on the long road ahead.

K

I agree with all the suggestions to wait on the fidget quilt until you know the extend of his injuries. I was merely passing on the name and description in case it's needed later on. Hopefully not....

Finally, something I know something about!

I was in a car accident 6 1/2 years ago, coma for 10 days, rehab for a couple of months, and looking back, something that really helped me was anything that made my brain think of what I used to do.

Photos on frames, of course of family, but also of things you would never think of putting in a photo.
My sewing machine, my basenjis(dogs), my house and various rooms. Also big words on the photos explaining what they are. Who the people are, the pet's names, sorts team names, etc. Any way to help his brain assciated the word to what is in the photo.

I think a quilt with fabric prints reminding this young man of his life, plus signatures of family, would be welcome.
He's going to get rehab treatment to relearn to open zippers, button, and eating, but what he's going to need is constant reminders, photos, of his life before the accident. DO NOT cut up his own aricles of clothing, just bring them in to be remembered (I don't know if I could have handled my things being cut up)

Bring in his favorie tshirts, not cut up, just so he can be reminded of what he liked

I have learned since that every brain injury is different, these are the things that helped ME, his experience might be different.

One thing, has nothing to do with quilting:

My husband told me that I fell out of the bed once, so at night they'd zip what I call a 'cage' around the bed. I don't remember if they told me why, maybe they did and I don't remember, but I HATED that thing (though I completely understand why they used it)

It remimded my so much of one particular dog I have that can not tolerate the crate for more than 10 minutes.
Thinking if her, and this 'cage' thing, was the man reason I checked myself out of the rehab. My husband had to sign some papers of course, but I was finally free of that cage! I do not understand the details, but he got 8 wks off from work, with pay, to stay home with me. That, plus being in familiar surroundings, was better than any ol' rehab with a cage!


My suggestion is when talking to him, do not be afraid of repeating yourself, especially say things that you might have said a day before. Like I said, I never remember them telling me about the cage, and why they used it, and I think knowing the WHY would have allowed me to be more accepting of it.

Talk simply, but also talk as you normally would. The brain can catch on to more complicated conversation, but something said simply is needed for understanding.

This post probably seems a bit mixed up, I have a bit of trouble organizing my thoughts. I hope my message is getting through.

Me again
Have the troop make a poster showing photos of thier activities that this young man was involved in. Put the names of the poeple by the photo and maybe squares of fabric attached, including his scout awards.

I don't remember not being able to read, ever, but it's possible he won't be able to read them, and someone will have to read them to him. But, it could be used as a way to relearning how to read.

I also agree with Tartan's answer. I think this one would be the most appreciated - by the injured young man as well as his family. I'll add him to my prayer list. On that note - they can include a favorite Scripture on the back as well.

Why not take some muslin squares and let each scout write something.

I'm with the Boys on this one. Smaller won't keep him warm, but that isn't the purpose of this particular project. If I understand, it is to be on the order of a fiddle quilt. A larger, pillow size (36 X 36) might be in order. And manageable for the boys. Remember this is something they want to do, you must take into consideration their wishes. Not how you want them to do it.

Great idea! It would let him know that the boys he helped are now helping him.

It's a bit early to know whether or not a fidget type quilt would be appropriate. I would suggest having each of the young men create a block with fabric markers on solid white fabric backed with freezer paper. If they don't want to draw, perhaps they could print pictures onto the fabric. A quilt referring to fun times and his life might help with his memory by providing references and discussion points.

Most times, hospitals require the quilts to be rather narrow because heath care providers need easy access to the side rails, port sites, and catheters without a lot of digging and wading through a puddle of blankets. Every time I visit someone in a hospital, they're always covered by twin-sized blankets folded in half lengthwise.

He is in my prayers, as is the family and scout troop too, I am sure they are all very upset.

Here's the info on the quilts we make for Ronald McDonald - 6" squares - either 7x7 or 5x5 with a border - all cotton with machine stitched binding- washable. If each member of the troupe did one square - you can use Moda solids and have them use permanent Sharpie markers to decorate or find a square they can cut and maybe sign with a Sharpie. I'd keep it simple and let the boys take charge as it will be therapeutic for his friends as much as for the patient. Here's a link to the Ronald McDonald page for ideas. (remember hospitals have to be concerned about germ control) http://www.rmhcincinnati.org/sites/d.../Quilts(5).pdf http://www.rmhcincinnati.org/sites/d...ern%206(1).pdf or this crib size http://www.rmhcincinnati.org/sites/d...20Patch(1).pdf

How old is the young man? Motorcycle wrecks are the worst. My prayers go out to him and his family. I used to counsel parents of brain injured youth....after my daughter had severe head injuries from a head on car collision.
It sounds like they have him in a medical induced coma...I have to tell you, depending on the swelling and damaged area of the brain, with motorcycle and train accident head injuries,....the patients rarely survive.
I hope that his young age will bring him through this. My daughter was 16, was in a coma for three weeks, hospital for three months and rehab for over a year. They told us she would be deaf since spinal fluid had leaked into her ears, that she would not have a sense of taste or smell, she would have a limp,..one of her legs would be shorter than the other from the broken femur, that she would not graduate high school or go to college, and it would be difficult for her to have a job.
She came out of the coma and after emergency surgery to elevate brain pressure, was assessed. She had three seconds of memory, didn't recognize her grandmother or friends, did not know how to do day to day tasks....she had lost so much.....but there are angels out there.....When she was able....about two months out, they put her in cognitive therapy and took the memory from 3 seconds to her now having a great memory. She graduated from high school with her junior year in home schooling, she does not walk with a limp, she received her bachelor of science degree in Psychology and is working on her Masters....she is a certified Court Mediator and a full time Risk Manager. Her hearing is more acute than before the accident. So don't let the doctors tell you all the bad news as gospel. She is our miracle child......and I will pray that this young boy receives a miracle angel today! I would not put a motorcycle in your proposed project quilt....it would be difficult on the parents. Find a hobby he enjoyed and focus the fabric on that. I personally, would make a large bear made from these fabrics and let the boys help you sew it and stuff it. If they want something quilted, then perhaps a large pillow or pillow sham. I'm sure he will be in bed a lot after he goes home....large pillows are great for propping up and for putting this only, like a tablet etc....or just cushioning under arms and legs. I do hope all turns out well. Diana in TX