Thierry Roger Couturier Designs and Delivers Masks During COVID-19 Pandemic
I have recently launched into designing and delivering face masks at a time when they have become essential to everyday life. The statewide stay at home order came into effect at the exact same time that I began undergoing a series of treatments of chemotherapy and radiation for a recent cancer diagnosis. This experience has been surreal. I have been designing for clients for years out of my home studio, which was going to be a big benefit when I started the treatments. I could have never imagined that at the very same time there would be a need for skills such as mine all across the region and the country. Needing to put my regular fashion design business on hold and focusing on producing the face masks has been an unusual benefit during his time receiving cancer treatments. This experience has really gotten me out of my own mind and body and helped me focus on doing good for others. Doctors and experts told me that the particular kind of treatment I was undergoing would become increasingly more difficult to bear. They told me to brace for major pain and fatigue. While I have experienced small bouts of being tired, and feeling less than my best, I feel like this experience has allowed me to focus on others needs and has empowered me to aid my community, and in turn somehow has really helped me feel better.I am not in this for the money, I am in it for the love of people. I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of individuals who have graciously donated money for supplies; I would not be able to continue this project without your support. I have also been doubly blessed to find folks leaving groceries, and necessities such as Clorox wipes and toilet paper on the front stoop. I feel it isn’t just me giving. I feel this challenging time is bringing out the best in all of us. Supported by my husband, Steven Martin-Roger, I have provided masks to private individuals, first responders, the food service industry, and residents living in elder care facilities. And due to the global shortage of PPE, I first took heart in supplying masks to the entire staff at Swedish Covenant Hospital’s Oncology Department, where I receive daily radiation and chemotherapy treatment.I encourage others who are facing tough times and also facing personal challenges of their own to focus on what they can do to strengthen their community. I am confident, if you can put your mind on something that helps others, it will help you.