Gallery of Existing Successes

This gentleman was referred to me in 2016. Long time amputee. We designed as bespoke, made-to-measure conical possum sheath which had a strap across the opposite shoulder to hold in situ. Success!

Since my return to Ireland in 2012, and starting up Kiwi Country Clothing (which later expanded to POSSIE HEALTH), Raynauds sufferers, predominantly ladies, started to buy our possum merino gloves for Raynauds. Which, at the time, I was unaware of.
I couldn’t believe the high numbers of people struggling with this awful hand issue (it is same as diabetes men’s feet).
Over the intervening years, I have dressed literally 1,000s of ladies, (and men) for varying degrees of Raynaud’s syndrome. There is no cure.
The supreme heat and delicate possum fibre acts as an immediate stimulant for the hands.
In severe cases, referrals are made by medical practitioners for the full fur and leather gloves or mitts.
QUEEN ELIZABETH was a customer. She had terrible Raynauds. In 2018 an extended member of the Royal family came to see me about the Queen’s hands. (and later her feet).
SCLERODERMA  is a chronic form of Raynauds syndrome. There are variables of this disease. In this case, most referrals are for the full fur and leather handwear.
Ironically, I was diagnosed with Scleroderma in 2016. Only for the possum and possum merino, I wouldn’t be able to function from October to March.

Possum sheaths.

It is important to state here that I never set out to market possum products for amputees and trauma injuries. This all happened from within the OT departments in Irish hospitals.

Trails starting out in CUH, followed by Tallaght University hospital, we started getting more and more referrals from 2016. We now get referrals from all across Ireland, UK and further afield.

Possum fibre stimulates what is called “The Effleurage Effect” by stroking the skin gently, and activates the nerve receptors under the skin and the nerve pain reduces. This is the uniform feedback we get from both the clients and the OTs.

With amputees, their stumps are exposed to the temperatures. Once weather gets colder, the stumps start to get increased nerve pain due to the cold. Clients tell us that the pain is searing and non-stop.

The heat of the possum fibre and the delicate stroking on the skin causes blood flow to the extremity.

For amputees, and we have many referrals from hospitals and post trauma specialists, we make, to order, possum sheaths, whether for knees, hands, arms etc. Typically, I will get a call from a new client saying that he/she was given my details from a surgeon, a pain specialist or an OT. I have never canvassed or sought out such work. It is all word of mouth and year-on-year anecdotal evidence given back to the medical profession by happy clients who wish to spread the word.

Ulcers;

When I started the business in 2012, having returned from New Zealand, farmers were a significant cohort of my customer base. I attended many agricultural shows across Ireland and UK. Within a few months, feedback started coming in from diabetic men, guys with ulcers and chilblains. All saying our socks and gloves were proving very effective from their issues. Same with ladies with Raynauds and Scleroderma (I had no idea of what they medical issues were at the time).

Anecdotal evidence given to us from happy clients is that their ulcers improve within a matter of days. The possum fibre in the socks and gloves (blended with superfine merino wool) activates blood flow and generates superior heat… the two key factors in skin regeneration.

I have GPs (men and women both) who are, themselves, convinced that the possum merino socks and gloves have remedied their skin / ulcer issues.

In more severe cases, we supply the pure fur and leather shoes, boots, mitts, gloves and sheaths.

Chilblains and ulcers are very common referrals to us once late autumn/early winter sets in.

On the website any of the socks with more than 20% possum fur are ideal for shoes and boots.

Similarly, the gloves for hands (chilblains, ulcers)

Possum insoles are also ideal and offer great comfort, heat and pain reduction.

In 2014, we got our first referral for a burns client. Hands are the most common due to accidents in the kitchen or workplace or down on the farm with chemicals.

Depending on the severity of the burn, also if has had skin grafts etc, we can suggest whether the possum merino gloves will suffice or whether they need to go to the pure possum n leather gloves or mitts