One area girl helping patients in hospitals one pillow at a time
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: June 1, 2012
At age nine, children usually spend their weekends playing outside with friends.
But, one area child is spending her time helping others.
9-year-old Autumn Blinn says sewing peaked her interest when she saw her grandma doing it.
But her hobby turned into something greater after making a pillow for her grandfather.
"It was a little hard and I was nervous but then I got the hang of it," explained Blinn.
Young Autumn says she first got her hands on a sewing machine back in February, and her interest in sewing turned into a mission to help others.
"I made myself a pillow and he said he liked it and he brought it to dialysis," said Blinn.
Autumn's grandfather says he goes to dialysis three times a week. To make him more comfortable a nurse recommended that he bring a pillow. The problem was he couldn't find the perfect fit until his granddaughter made him one
"The other patients liked it so I started making some for them," said Blinn.
"You see grown men walking in and out with autumn's pillow of love," explained John Santiago, Autumn's grandfather.
Fifteen pillows later, Autumn's pillow of love is also reaching children at Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare.
"When they cough they have to put a pillow on their stomach and so I decided to make them some," said Autumn.
She says she wanted to help children her age.
"I hope that when people are sick it will take their minds off of it. I don't want them to feel pain and want them to remember that they're not alone and they don't have to feel pain," said Blinn.
The pillows will help patients who undergo surgery to hold against their incision when they cough.
Autumn's grandfather says he is proud and hopes she can continue to spread her love one pillow at a time.
"She could be out running out playing but she rather be in the house sewing pillows that need them," explained Santiago.
Autumn says she wants to be a nurse when she grows up. She hopes to spread her love outside Central New York in the near future.
