While the Durrance’s, Jackson’s, and Culamore’s were here for the worldmade wheelchair assessment we were given a tour of the Society of the Disabled shoe factory to see how the disabled in this country are trying to help themselves. It was very fascinating to see how they made shoes from equipment that was 60 years old. Some of the sewing machines they are using where made in 1948. It was amazing to see how these people use what they have and the good quality of shoe they are able to produce. They employ 15 disabled people, and provide shoes for about 300 people a month. We decided this was a very worthy cause and are hoping to get 4 or 5 new sewing machines for this factory. They will be able to produce more shoes and also lower their prices because they can produce them faster. The quality should also improve. The ladies that are doing the sewing now are doing an amazing job. When they need a double stitch they are doing it all with just a single stitch machine. They have to be so precise in their sewing, and sew everything twice. Their glue room also needs better ventilation, but that is a problem we can’t solve.
