my visit with Gottfried Medical, Inc.

...by James January

I met Darla Hredzak many many years ago at an Annual Burn Association conference. I jumped at the opportunity to travel to Toledo, Ohio when she called me up earlier this month and asked me to visit with and speak to the employees at the company she is now in charge of. That company is Gottfried Medical, Inc. www.gottfriedmedical.com

Precise measurements at close intervals along someone’s arm or leg, or other body area, are sent in to their facility. Those measurements are then applied to a material which is cut and sewn by hand to create something unique to the only user who will ever wear it. They make pressure garments.

When I was burned, pressure garments came in brown, brown, maybe black, brown, maybe white, and brown…did I mention brown. Now days, they come in many cool colors and patterns. If such were the case back in my day, garment wearing compliance would have been an easier get. I’d have been sporting some flames and skulls along my arms and legs. In the burn world, pressure garments are vital for vascular support and, in some cases, scar management.

I was honored to share my story with the fine folks that work at Gottfried and enjoyed entertaining their questions. The audience laughed and cried during our time and we accomplished our mission of putting a face to the survivors that their garments are made for.

Darla and her husband were great hosts…thanks for the cigars Jim. Thanks for having me and I hope I gave you what you were looking for. For my part, it was worth every moment and I hope to do it again in the future.

Thank you for your generous donation which we will put to good use toward accomplishing our BurnSurvivor.org mission.

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