by Lee Webster, Speare donor

I’m 5’ 2”. Every time I have gone for a mammogram, I’ve managed to trip over the long gowns. I’ve usually ended up tossing it onto a chair in frustration, as it did nothing to preserve modesty and was aggravating to boot. During my last mammo, the fabulous tech helping me mentioned that there were special capes available. When I considered the number of women who avoid mammograms due to the embarrassment of the process and who were probably as annoyed by the silliness of the gown as me, it was at the top of my to-do list.

I’m known for advocating for affordable, environmentally friendly end-of-life processes and products, such as home funerals and green burials, and it had never made sense to me to have all those long gowns sent to the laundry, washed, dried, folded and sent back after acting as a modesty sheet for all of 5 minutes. A cape still needs to be laundered, but it may take less time drying. Every little bit helps

But the big reason I wanted to support this was my grandchildren. I have my annual mammogram to ensure my own health, but the bottom line is that I want to be here for them. I have seven grandkids, three girls in California, and four boys under the age of four in Holderness. They need a Super Grandmother

These capes are just as empowering for women as the costume capes are to the boys. Incidentally, they recently wore their Teenage Ninja Turtles capes, plus masks, to visit their new brother born in Speare’s Birthing Center, to the delight of everyone they met on the way. Capes are powerful!

My husband, Bill Crangle, and I are equally delighted to support the purchase of these “super” capes so that other grandmothers and mothers and daughters can experience the test in comfort, feeling safe and cared for, modesty intact.