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Who, me? I Guess I am "The Dryer Guy".
After college, I
landed a job selling spare parts for Challenge-Cook Bros. My introduction to dryers was through the spare parts
department, where I learned much about the differences between models and their design features, along with the
parts required to make them operate.
Soon I became the buyer for the company and purchased parts for the last tunnel system dryers that we made with the C-CB name. I remember that the antiquated control panel was nearly as big as my office. The next move was to Sales and Customer Service. After a dozen years with Challenge I moved to Washex, Inc., where I spent eleven terrific years. While Challenge introduced me to the laundry business and to industrial dryers, Washex expanded my knowledge and network of friends in the industry. I am very thankful for the people who worked with me and who mentored me from both of these excellent companies.
...but I look a bit more like the avatar
than a super hero, these days. One of my friends suggested a heavier redneck avatar that says, "get-r dry!!",
but I don't think so.
Recently, something wonderful but difficult happened to me and my family. Our Granddaughter was born
with Prader-Willi Syndrome. This is the most astonishing birth defect that I've ever heard of. These kids are born with weak muscles, so feeding is difficult. At three months, our Zailey can only bottle
feed about an ounce before we have to finish through a tube from her nose to her stomach. What's amazing is that sometime
between the years of 2 and 6 they become huge over eaters. The feeling of hunger is constant, since they lack the signal
in the brain that satisfies this desire. The combination of weak muscle tone and constant
hunger means that they can eat themselves to death. Even mild obesity can lead to heart failure. To top it off, these kids typically need less calories per day than the average person - sometimes as much as 1/2.
Therefore, if they eat a fast food cheeseburger, they may have eaten all of the calories needed for that day. Constant
frustration and anxiety come from these and many other issues: -other people can go back for
seconds -getting
in trouble for sneaking food -school and friends are engaged in keeping you from eating -Halloween -can no longer play with a friend, since they gave
you candy -reduced
ability to go places without parental supervision -getting fired for stealing food -etc.
There is a foundation for
PWS, but they are not funded like more commonly known health programs. Interestingly enough, PWS effects 1 out of every
15,000 people. We all know that obesity in the U.S. is becoming a bigger and "BIGGER" issue. The remedy
for these kids may also be the saving grace for millions effected by high body weight and the resulting health issues. If you'd like to know more about PWS, or if you'd like to donate, please click on the link, below.  |
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