The Story of calmCOVERS
In 2016, my teenage son was diagnosed with dysthymia (also known as persistent depressive disorder)—a low-grade, chronic form of depression. Among the myriad of therapeutic options was the suggestion to use deep touch pressure therapy with a weighted blanket. I had never heard of “deep touch pressure therapy” and I had no idea what a weighted blanket was. After much research, I came to understand what both were and why they work. I then set out on a mission to find just the right blanket for my son. This proved to be more of a challenge than expected. Though not very long ago, 2016 was a time before weighted blankets became mainstream and as such, were not readily available in local retail shops.
A bit discouraged in not finding what I needed to help my son, I conducted research…and more research. It wasn’t long before I decided I could make my own weighted blanket for my son— hand-made, custom crafted, weighted, and designed specifically with him in mind, reflecting his personal needs and personality. I made my first blanket.
In conjunction with other therapies, I saw my son’s condition improve as he used the blanket I made for him. It helped him feel calm, lessened anxiety, reduced aches and pains, get much needed rest, and offered a sense of peace and security. I was sold and eager to share the therapeutic benefits of weighted blankets. Deep Touch Therapy Blankets by LBM was born.
I went through a season of experimentation as I refined the materials used and honed the process to make every blanket. I made blankets for children and teens with mild to severe forms of autism. I made blankets for the elderly with dementia. I made blankets for people suffering from anxiety, chronic pain, and restless leg syndrome. I made blankets for people who simply wanted the peaceful and calming effects of a weighted blanket. The list goes on. I get a deep sense satisfaction knowing that my blankets help people regain a sense of calm in our oftentimes busy, fast-paced, and overwhelming world. I especially love getting letters from children like Christian (age 13) who wrote,
“Thank you for my weighted blanket. It helps relieve my stress when I get home [from school]…thank you soooooo much. Keep doing things for kids like me.”
Three years later, in 2019, I relaunched the company under a new name, calmCOVERS, and I am more resolved than ever before to share the benefits of a weighted blanket with as many people as I can.
In pursuit of excellence, I continue to seek ways to improve and deliver quality products, crafted with care and passion. Every blanket is hand-made. I am committed in heart and mind to raise the quality of life for all people by bringing a personal sense of peace, calm, and rest by creating the best, hand-made, custom crafted weighted blankets while also raising cultural awareness of mental health and wellness issues that plague our society today. I am dedicated to empowering individuals to boost and better their circumstances and state-of-mind. I accomplish this by sharing the therapeutic benefits and simplicity of a beautifully hand crafted weighted blanket.
The therapeutic benefits of sewing weighted blankets goes both ways—for my clients and for ME! My love and passion for sewing brings me great joy and I love sharing the fruits of my labor knowing that my products help improve the quality of life of others. With that, I have expanded my product line to include non-weighted blanket products. I offer custom, non-weighted blankets and additional linens for baby. Products for home include reversible table linens, as well as scented and hot/cold therapy products. Just spreading the joy in the simplest of ways.
Lastly, I am blessed to love on people in need by using my gifts and talents with Sewing Seeds, a ministry arm of calmCOVERS. Sewing Seeds provides fringed and marginalized citizens an opportunity to improve themselves by teaching them skills, providing a sense of self-worth, confidence and hope and offering an opportunity to participate in the production process of calmCOVERS blankets and products. Sewing Seeds provides handmade blankets to needy children in the United States and abroad through partnerships with local and international Christian ministries and organizations. “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” — Matthew 25:40
I live and operate calmCOVERS in Mickey’s magical backyard of Disney World in the greater Orlando area in central Florida. When I am not sewing, I enjoy golfing, cycling, shooting, writing, traveling, and LEGO building. I also keep three fish and a spirited, handsome tuxedo cat named 007, a.k.a. Mr. Bond.
