Weighted Blankets by Grandma Lisa

Hi my name is Grandma Lisa and I have six grandchildren. One of my granddaughters, McKenna, suffered a couple of seizures a few years ago and she was diagnosed with Epilepsy shortly after that. During one of her many therapy sessions her therapist recommended the use of a weighted blanket to help her sleep through the night. The use of weighted products to help sooth and calm patients has shown some very successful results particularly with patients suffering from various sensory and anxiety disorders. The goal of these products can be best described as simulating that of being held or getting a great big hug. This helps the patient to feel safe and allows them the opportunity to calm down or reduce their stress level. McKenna’s seizure disorder is usually triggered by stress, exhaustion, and over-heating. Her anxiety manifests in various ways causing sleepless and stress. Therefore, the recommendation of using the weighted blanked was a welcome suggestion, but not without a hurdle many families like McKenna’s have to overcome. The cost of the blankets was out of the price range for my daughter and her family, especially with all the added medical and therapy costs. After discussing the options and requirements with McKenna's therapist, I decided I could produce a more affordable blanket and in her favorite material. The weighted blanket worked so well, I made her a lap pad for her car seat and one for her swing. After hearing about my success with McKenna's blankets and lap pads, her therapist then asked if I would make a couple blankets for some of her other patients who were in in similar financial situations. Thus, I started Weighted Blankets by Grandma Lisa. The products I create, which now includes weighted blankets, lap pads, and vests are customizable based on the needs of the patient down to their favorite color and material. Each product features the ability to add or subtract “weighted tubes” based on the weight of the patient. Making the Blankets, Lap Pads, and Vests for children has been very rewarding. Working with many of the therapists and experiencing first hand the financial hardship these families can experience has been the driving force for me to keep prices as a low as possible.