TheraFleece would like to thank the following television programs, magazine and newspaper publications for their recognition and support...

Shannon Ayotte, OT Reg. (Ont.)
Registered Occupational Therapist
NRCS Inc.

What’s New & The Tried and True author, Doris Ohlmann
Above & Beyond Canada’s Arctic Journal January/February 2003

I have been using the wonderful products from WoodHoodz SuitAbilities at the Nursing Home where I am the Rehabilitation Assistant.  I have been getting great results.  The residents and nursing staff are constantly requesting these products and the results are nothing but favourable.  They are often used as a preventative measure for skin breakdown.  We simply must continue to use these articles as they have made a nice difference in the resident’s lives.  We must continue to encourage others to use them as well.  Thanks Marta for sharing your beautiful products with our residents.

Sincerely Yours, Rehabilitation Assistant
Ottawa, Ontario

Hello Marta
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate my Therafleece Wrist Warmers. When I purchased them last spring, I had a badly sprained thumb that, without pain killers, kept me awake at night. I started using a Wrist Warmer and the ache that had been predominant for weeks was eliminated almost overnight. On occasion, after an active day on the keyboard, my thumb will ache and all I do now is put on the Wrist Warmer at bed time and the ache is gone by the morning.  I do not require pain killers and I don't loose sleep as a result discomfort.  Thank you for such a simple solution to an ongoing problem.

Regards, Shirley McKey

Hi Marta,
I can not say enough to express how I feel about your slippers. Two years ago, just as I turned 50, I fell off a stool, shattering my femur and fracturing my hip. This left me in a wheelchair for nearly 6 months and the past 18 months learning how to walk again. My feet would not stay warm,  no matter what I had on them. It was while shopping for other aids, that my husband came across your slippers at the HandiHouse, in Ottawa. I can't begin to tell you the difference. I still wear them to this day. As I was unable to bend, had extensive swelling in my legs and knee, he picked up a pair with the velcro closing, for me. He could not believe the difference as before your slippers he could feel my cold feet right through heavy socks, and that was without them even touching the ground, as I was in a wheelchair. When I fell I twisted my knee badly and wrecked the cartilage and ligaments but they were not a concern to the Doctors at the time and it was suggested to me that they would operate on my knee after 2 years had gone by, but not sure I am ready for that! I see you have, on your web site, "calf cuddlers" I only weigh 120 lbs., but most of my weight is on my hips and I have heavy thighs and calves. I am very interested in these as I see they cover your knee which is something that really bothers me in the cold or in the humid weather. As I have a steel plate going from my knee to my hip, I get enough aggravation from that when it is damp or cold, so I thought your calf cuddlers would at least help my knee. Thanks again for your time.

Yours truly, Judy

Marta Wood came to Orchard View Living Centre to show the products she has designed for elderly persons or anyone suffering the aches and pains of arthritis.

Marta is meticulous in her service.  She has a warmth and empathy for these people that comes through in her conversation with them and in the imaginative items she has created.  And the products ... they have been carefully designed for major trouble spots like wrists, hands, elbows, knees, calves and feet.  The material used is warm and cosy.  We wish her well!"

Elizabeth Le Geyt, Manotick Station

“I am in the nursing profession, as well as the daughter of a man who had COPD. He could not tolerate the cold weather, as described. I have patients that might find your products very useful.”

Sam

“Hello..I just bought a pair of your wrist warmers...I am a dental hygienist and I have arthritis in my right hand ( in the joints)...I cannot find anything similar to your product...It was the perfect solution and made my hand feel great after work. Thanks!”

Goldenscaler

Hi Marta: I’ve just been to see both my massage therapist and physiotherapist.  I showed them your pamphlet ... and provided a few personal recommendations based on the products my wife and I have used.  Both of them were pretty interested, as they both do quite a bit of occupational therapy work and find that a lot of these products are hard for their clients to find locally.  So ... thanks for the great products Marta ...

Yours truly, Jamie Kerr Orleans, Ontario

Dear Mrs. Wood: The Consumer Products Directorate of the Manufacturing Industries Branch has reviewed your product line. You are to be commended for your achievements in developing innovative products that respond to the needs of the communities served by the charitable organizations with which you have partnered. From a business perspective, you are approaching the challenges of the market in impressive ways.  Your breakthrough in having products test marketed by Shoppers Home Health Care paves the way for their promotion nationally.  By tapping into various media to deliver your messages and networking with key persons and organizations, you are increasing public awareness of your products. ... Thank you again for writing and I wish you success in your endeavours.

Sincerely, F.S. (Rick) Thomas,
Director General Manufacturing Industries Branch, Industry Canada

“I was impressed with what I saw,” says Jeff Preston, marketing director for Shoppers Home Health Care.  “What makes WoodHoodz SuitAbilities different is not only the obvious medical benefits and the uniqueness of the designs, but also the quality of the workmanship and the level of customer service.”

Quote from: The Ottawa Citizen Careers, Saturday, November 30, 2002

Marta’s innovative approach to helping people with illnesses or disabilities has won her a nomination for a 2003 Manning Innovation Award.  The awards are given out annually by the Ernest C. Manning Awards Foundation to recognize Canadian innovators who successfully develop a new process or procedure that has economic or social benefits to Canada.

The Ottawa Citizen Business, Saturday, February 25, 2003

Marta: I really get the feeling from you that the vision for your company is one that closely reflects your own personality and beliefs, very entrepreneurial, ethical and full of community spirit ... giving something back.

Jeff Preston, Director Marketing, Shoppers Home Health Care.

“The Canadian Paraplegic Association is supportive of your efforts to develop products for persons with physical disabilities and to market and sell them in a socially responsible manner.”

Sincerely, Francois Belisle, MBA Chief Executive Office

“The Asthma Society of Canada supports the efforts of WoodHoodz SuitAbilities in the development and distribution of your patent pending FacEssential cold weather mask for individuals who have asthma.”  The cold dry air of winter can trigger asthma symptoms.  Exercising in the winter means breathing in more of this cold, dry air.  The FacEssential® mask can help heat up and moisturize the air that is breathed in by taking the heat and moisture from exhalation to help warm and humidify inhalation.  This may help reduce the effects of the cold air on individuals with asthma.”

Chris Harmony BSc, RRCP, CAE Manager - Client Services
Asthma Society of Canada

The following was written to:
Asthma Education Center The Lung Association, Ottawa, Ontario

“Thank you for giving me the WoodHoodz FacEssential to wear this winter.  As you asked me to, I will give you my opinion about it.  I found it useful and it helped my breathing greatly.  It was good as a mask and as a neck warmer.  I used it while walking to school, while skiing and pretty much every other time I was outside. ... I recommend this mask greatly.”

Yours sincerely, David Chrystal

"I suffer from asthma and have been bothered by the cold weather.  Your FacEssential Mask is great.  It looks good and is very functional in helping me breathe better in cold weather."

Thanks, Heather Duncan, Ottawa

The CalfCuddlers have been just great (especially with the cold air that manages to get up my pant legs!).  I have really noticed when they are not on.  I have been more comfortable while venturing outside ... I noticed how much more comfortable I have been sitting in a movie theatre or watching TV - I have been able to fall asleep much easier and faster.  Thank you so much.  They have made quite a difference for my circulation.  The wrist warmers have been a great plus for me as well.  Having my fingers free - but warm - really has helped in a few ways.  While being at my computer, being able to work on a painting for a gift, and getting warmed up after being outside.  We gave the gift of the FacEssential to Raymond’s mother for Christmas.  She was very excited about it.  She put it on right away!

Thank you again, Michelle Amerie
Freelance Writer for Abilities Magazine
MS patient

I helped out on a friends farm last summer.  The setting, weather and physical work were very therapeutic.  At harvest time however I developed a nagging wrist, elbow and shoulder pain from the repetitious lifting of bushels and vegetable baskets.  Long after, the pain would reoccur whenever I did any lifting.  Luckily, I stumbled onto Marta Wood’s ElbowAid, which has proven excellent in eliminating the pain.

Sincerely, Sophia van der Velde.  Stittsville, Ontario

Dear Marta: I am writing to say how much I enjoy having and wearing my TheraFleece ElbowAid.  I bought it because I was waking in the night with my elbow aching.  Sometimes it also ached during the day.  I started wearing the ElbowAid to bed and after less than a week the pain stopped.  I now have the ElbowAid handy when I am working in the garden or carrying heavy loads to help remain free from pain.  Thank you for your product and continue your good work.

Yours in fashion, Dianne E. Hedley

Dear Marta: Just a short note to thank you for some of your products.  I am a happy user of your Asthmatic FacEssential masks and your Kozeetoez Slippers.  As an Asthma sufferer I have found your FacEssential to be wonderful during the cold weather.  It does exactly what you say it will do and it makes it so much more comfortable for me to be out in the cold.  Your slippers are also wonderful.  So warm and so comfy.  I am on my second pair of your slippers, having retired my first pair after a long and comfortable life.  My husband has used your ElbowAid for his golf elbow and loves it for both its warmth and comfort.  He says it is the only product he’s found that will stay in place without constricting his arm or making it uncomfortable to bend his elbow.  Many thanks Marta ...

Yours truly, Linda Kerr Orleans, Ontario

I think you are doing a wonderful service coming up with so many practical and useful body comforts. I like the fact you are coming up with ideas for the disabled and people with medical problems. Good work!

Regards, Edith Clark

"These slippers are like little furnaces for my feet."

Thank you, Joan Lindsay, North Gower

"My husband sleeps through the night now that his feet are warm. I believe that bed socks should be standard issue in every senior's home."

Thank you, Mrs. Margaret Foxall, Belleville

"Marta's products are innovative, fun, and affordable while being highly practical, especially for Ottawa winters.  Those children fortunate to wear

WoodHoodz SuitAbilities products actually enjoy putting their winter accessories on."

Yours Sincerely, Fiona MacLeod, Ottawa

Dear Marta:  All the best in your business.  The hats are truly special.

Barbara Underhill

“I believe you have some great products and, given Canadian winters, a good market.” ...

“I appreciate that it is an exhausting and protracted task to establish a business enterprise and I congratulate you on the progress you have made.”

David Pratt, M.P. Nepean-Carleton.

“Please convey my best wishes to Ms. Wood for success in her business endeavours.”

Sincerely, The Honourable Brain Tobin, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Industry June 2001

“I know that you will serve as a role model for many others in Goulbourn. .... Thank you again for making a difference in so many lives.”

Janet Stavinga Councillor, Goulbourn Ward