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Self-Advocates Stitch Quilt Concepts
Introducing the "Waymakers"— a group of self-advocates creating a quilt for the agency's new headquarters.
Self-advocates are in the final stages of creating a quilt that symbolizes the gifts that people with disabilities bring to the community. During their third session with Dr. Beth Mount, an international authority on person-centered planning, the group shared personal experiences, recited poetry, refined the meaning of their art work and sang songs—adding “a rich layer of emotional fabric” to the dramatic wall hanging.
“We’re making history!” exclaimed Dr. Mount, unveiling the quilt-in-progress —colorful squares representing different aspects of water, based on self-advocates’ collages that were created during their first session almost a year ago.
“These squares represent your insight and vision, and your wisdom is just as deep and meaningful as any other person’s on this planet,” she continued. “Today is about bringing your brilliance forward so that others may learn from it.”
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| Patches from the quilt (including a boat, turbulent storms, fish and water) represent how self-advocates support one another in their journey toward community inclusion. | |
Self-advocates were overwhelmed by the quilt’s design. “This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen,” shouted Chinka T. “I love it, I love it, I love it!”
“Is my contribution in there?” asked Vance J.
“Yes, Vance. Right up top is your idea for a dove and olive branch,” replied Dr. Mount. “In fact, that dove helped inspire our overall ‘water-theme.’ Do you remember why?”
“Because the dove told Noah the floods were over,” he said, referencing the story of Noah’s Ark. “When water came down and washed away the bad ways people were acting in the world, the dove brought peace and hope for a new beginning to a world where people would live together in peace.”
The group then discussed the quilt’s many symbolic images, or “waymarks” as they were called. The ten waymarks represent ways in which people inspire peace and hope. They define the vision that self-advocates have for the commitment to Westchester Arc and its quality of services.
“The rocks in the water represent challenges,” offered Pasty G. “Like people not approving when I wanted to get married. Water finds a way to go around the rocks.”
“I like the colors in the quilt,” added Liz W. “They remind me of spring, and seasons are waymarks that nature brings.”
Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director, and Eddie C. discover a mutual interest in boating. “Water makes me feel hopeful,” says Eddie.
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| Self-advocates and staff work together to design concepts for the quilt. | |
Later, self-advocates broke into smaller groups to focus on individual squares. First, they described moments in which they felt “hopeful” and “hopeless.” Each person brought unique insight to the table. Even those who were shy at first, opened up thanks to the encouragement of their friends. Having friends and family, living independently, having choices, creating art and helping others topped the hopeful list. Sickness, the loss of a loved one, being treated badly, and not having a job contributed to feelings of hopelessness. Each group also came up with titles and theme songs for their squares, which they enthusiastically shared with others.
“My square is a boat. It represents a journey that people go on together,” explained Eddie C. “And my song is the theme to Love Boat.” Then, in a true display of solidarity, everyone helped Eddie belt out the song.
At day’s end, Dr. Mount praised the group for its commitment and creative vision. “The next time we meet, I’m going to come in with a number of items, like fish, star fish, butterflies, stars, and flowers, that appeared in your original artwork. I want each of you to choose the one symbol that best represents hope to you and then I will add it to the quilt. Think of it as another waymark for your own hopeful journey,” stressed Dr. Mount. “The quilt will then hold direction for your own life, the agency, and for generations to come, and that is how you will make history; by defining what is truly possible for people with disabilities, and telling that story to others.
In the spirit of Dr. Mount’s suggestion, the group named itself “The Waymakers.”
The wall hanging will be displayed in the agency’s new Gateway to the Community in Hawthorne. “The quilt will be one of the first things people see,” notes Ric Swierat, Westchester Arc executive director. “Its presence will welcome, teach and inspire.”
David S., overjoyed with his contributions to the quilt, could not agree more. “It’s an inspiration. It makes me want to be the best I can possibly be. It’s a lot of work but eventually everything comes together—like the squares on the quilt.”
Dr. Beth Mount and Ralph Szur, director of Westchester Arc's life planning center, showcase artwork, created by self-advocates, that inspired the quilt.
Vance J. explains how his square—an olive branch and dove—represent peace, hope and new beginnings.
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| Following the morning's brainstorming session, self-advocates were excited to share their individual collages with the group. | |
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