If things have been looking a little brighter inside the halls of Wilcox Memorial Hospital lately, it’s likely due to Lynette Wilson’s aloha gowns. The Woodland, Calif.-native was on Kaua‘i recently to personally present some of her gowns as gifts
If things have been looking a little brighter inside the halls of Wilcox Memorial Hospital lately, it’s likely due to Lynette Wilson’s aloha gowns.
The Woodland, Calif.-native was on Kaua‘i recently to personally present some of her gowns as gifts to Wilcox patients.
Along with the gown, the patient received a bright pillow case.
As is often the case, Wilson’s inspiration came from within her own family.
Wilson’s daughter, Debbie Wilcox, stricken with juvenile diabetes and kidney failure, suffered a stroke, so Wilcox’s sister-in-law made a cheerful, regulation hospital gown for her to wear.
“The gowns not only made our daughter feel better, but it was evident to us that the cheery gowns impacted the hospital staff and all who came into Debbie’s room,” Wilson said.
In dying, Wilson’s daughter and her colorful gowns brightened not only her own and her family’s spirits, but also those of the hospital staff and fellow patients.
“Three days before Debbie’s passing, I had a vision that we were going to start a memorial to create colorful regulation hospital gowns to be given to ill patients,” Wilson said. “The gown will be delivered in a bright pillowcase and the family will be responsible for the laundering of the gowns. Our hope is that once the family no longer has the need for the gowns, they will consider donating them to nursing homes.”
Like most movements on the island, this one relied on a friendly, local face to gain traction.
Julie Yukimura, an avid quilter and owner of Kapaia Stitchery, had met Wilson by chance at a quilting convention in Texas. Once Yukimura learned of Wilson’s daughter’s story and her mother’s subsequent mission, aloha spirit took over.
Specifically in the form of aloha print fabric. Yukimura delivered a bundle of fabric for Wilson to convert into hospital gowns.
Now the pair is looking for more help.
“We are in the process of recruiting volunteers to donate fabric and/or time to cut and sew the bright hospital gowns,” Wilson said. “Our goal is that Debbie’s benevolence will someday touch all corners of our country.”
For more information, visit www.debbiesgowns.com.
