News

Dec 25, 2023

Amanda’s knitting skills helping those in Ukraine; making her community proud

RIDGETOWN – Residents of this community routinely show their support for a

RIDGETOWN – Residents of this community routinely show their support for a young woman who doesn't let a developmental disability stand in the way of her helping others.

RIDGETOWN – Residents of this community routinely show their support for a young woman who doesn't let a developmental disability stand in the way of her helping others.

Since learning to use a small loom about a year ago, Amanda Brown has knit 800 hats that have been sent to Ukraine through Loads of Love.

And now she's knitting teddy bears for children in the wartorn country. She has already completed 50 bears, which take her a day to do.

"I want to make children happy," Brown, 28, said of why she knits the teddy bears.

She added it is important to show these kids they are loved.

She also knits other stuffies, from Winnie the Pooh characters to Minions, and even a flamingo as a birthday gift for her dad, Gord Brown.

Though Amanda has become quite proficient, her learning to knit got off to a rocky start.

Amanda's mother, Barb Brown, said her daughter's Community Living Chatham-Kent support worker tried to teach her the traditional way of knitting, with needles, but she found it too difficult.

Then they tried a hand-operated loom and Amanda quickly excelled at it.

"It's just easier," she said. "I don't have to count."

The Browns adopted Amanda from Guatemala, which was an ordeal.

Amanda, who suffered a developmental delay after experiencing a lack of oxygen to her brain when she was born, was living in an orphanage.

Barb Brown said the plan was to adopt Amanda as an infant, but numerous delays meant the process took nearly two years.

"This is really incredible what she is doing," Barb Brown said. "She's found her knack."

Amanda Brown can be found making her creations as she helps her mother at the front desk of the Ridgetown Independent News weekly newspaper on Main Street.

Since word got out about Amanda's knitting skills, residents have been donating wool for her to use, her mother said.

Amanda also collects bobble-head figures, and has received several as gifts from local residents. She displays them in the newspaper's office, with examples of her knitting.

She has also made some great connections with area politicians.

East Kent councillors John Wright and Steve Pinsonneault have donated yarn and stuffing for Amanda's teddy bears.

One of her bears sits in the Ottawa office of Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP Dave Epp, while Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff had his bear on his desk during Monday's council meeting.

"She certainly put a smile on my face," Canniff said during the meeting.

All the community support makes Amanda happy.

"People are saying, ‘Keep up the good work,’ " she said with a big smile.

She added one resident told her, "I’m making Ridgetown look good."

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