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Creating a Quilt of Memories from T-shirts

Wednesday 14th of March 2007 04:49:34 PM

It took Delores Mickelson, who vacations in El Mirage, Arizona, USA a month to stitch together more than 80 Special Olympics T-Shirts that her friend, Dawn Splichal, has collected after twenty years of volunteering for the organisation. Spichal’s stepbrother, Eric Pritchard, who is an active participant in the Special Olympics bowling team, has Down Syndrome.

The quilt will be presented to Pritchard when Mickelson returns from her home in Minnesota, USA. Mickelson said of her friend’s request, “She just retired now, and asked me if I would make a quilt out of old T-shirts, and I said, yes, I'd love to.” The T-Shirts, which feature twenty years of Special Olympic games, fundraisers, and other activities, needed to have a backing sewn on them so the fabric would not stretch. Each t-shirt was then used to produce a twin-sized quilt.

Pritchard, who grew up with his stepsisters and stepmother, after his father died of a heart attack when he was boy, is very popular in the small town. But keeping the quilt a surprise has been easy. “If they read that it's a surprise for him, they won't tell him. He's very popular,” Mickelson said.

Being able to use her skills as a quilter has made Mickelson very happy. But she also enjoys being able to make others happy as well. “The tiniest thing you can do for anyone that's in the Special Olympics is like doing a huge favour. You just feel so good after working with them because they're so appreciative and so happy,” Mickelson said.

The Special Olympics has chapters all over the United States and in several other countries as well. They continue to help those who are physically and mentally impaired lead fully-functional, enjoyable lives.

(c)Jeremy Doorten, www.sxc.hu