By Bill Robinson
Ella Brockman, 93, has been giving and caring throughout her life.
Two years ago, she broke a hip and has been a resident of the Berea Health Care Center since.
Walking may be difficult for her, but there is nothing wrong with her hands.
She recently donated more than 1,200 hand-made yarn dolls for central Kentucky hospitals to give their pediatric patients.
When they are admitted to Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center in Richmond, St. Joseph-Berea hospital, the University of Kentucky Children's Hospital or the Shriners' Hospital in Lexington, child patients will receive a colorful yarn doll to hold.
Brockman, whose mind is as clear and sharp as her fingers are agile, said she began making the dolls about three years ago, while still living at home.
“I enjoy making the dolls because it keeps my mind active and my hands healthy,” she said.
Brockman made her first 200 dolls without any idea of what to do with them.
"I gave a some to trick-or-treaters, and then asked the Lord what I should do with the rest," she said. "I didn't hear a voice or anything, but about 10 minutes later, a thought came to me. The children at the Shriners' Hospital in Lexington might like to have them."
She asked a friend to drive her to Lexington, not knowing whether the dolls would be accepted.
"They were happy to get them," she said, "and they have come to pick them up each year."
The hospital that serves crippled children at no charge received 400 dolls this year.
While she had been a seamstress for most of her life, making dress, quilts and blankets, Brockman said she had no training or design models for her dolls.
"I was just fooling around with some yarn, and came up with a doll," she said.
She fashioned a loom from parts of an old air conditioner. For smaller dolls, she uses a picture frame.
"Making them is more complicated than it looks," she said.
As Brockman's output has increased, children in other hospitals have benefited.
This year, Pattie A. Clay received some of Brockman's dolls for the first time, said Jill Williams, PAC spokesperson.
"We're always appreciative when something thinks of Pattie A. Clay's patients when they want to be of service to others," Williams said.
Brockman uses only donated materials.
"I couldn't do this if I had to buy the yarn and thread," she said.
Friends and staff members at BHCC have provided most of her materials so far.
Williams said PAC is asking its staff and network of friends to help provide Brockman with materials.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the efforts may drop off donations at the PAC administrative offices, WiIliams said.
Brockman said she likes bright colors, but makes dolls with many color variations.
She also knows a thing or two about hospital patients. Brockman worked 31 years for hospitals in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. She was a nurse's aide for 12 years and then became a license practical nurse.
Brockman grew up on a farm near Sand Gap in Jackson County, one of 12 children. She is the last survivor of the 12.
Her only child, a daughter, passed away at age 72 in April.
"I have two granddaughters in Louisville," she said, "and oodles of nieces and nephews in Jackson County."
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
