Kindness Stones and Trails
A recurring theme of our conversations has been the unique experience disabled women have had in the pandemic, revealing something of our societal status. However we analyse and frame that, what we've been through has been specific to our community, and doubled and tripled if we are from other marginalised communities. We have felt disregarded and less valued, and it is increasing in many ways as we see the arts and wider society attempting to return to life just as it was, with much of the accessibility achieved in the lockdowns now removed. Some organisations are starting to insist on 'in person' meetings or activities only. And we hear repeatedly now the myth that everyone stayed in for two years to protect the most high risk people and now it's time for disabled people to adjust, and accept that covid is here to stay. Which it does appear to be, but that requires society to adjust, and not to make any citizens second class.
We've talked about how important it has been to have a space for disabled women which felt safe, where there is understanding and empathy, and where our isolations has been reduced slightly. Several of us have also said that the activities we've done together have carried on during the week, some of us starting longer term projects and it extends our connection with each other which is an important feeling when we feel left behind and disappointed by the lack of proactive, open and spoken support. people have wearied quickly of the need for something new and innovative.
Our well-being has been improved by seeing each other each week, by talking, laughing and being creative, and we've wanted to share that, both to raise our visibility (still essential) and to share elements of wellbeing. We've shared our beautiful creations in our online galleries and on social media, and some of us have shared some of the work in our communities - we've hung supportive decorative labels on bushes and trees in our local area for people to find. And this is the essence of the kindness stones - we get to have pleasure making something decorative and thinking how someone might feel finding it, what they may need to hear. It's a tiny gesture but is about making a mark and leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. In any other times, gestures like these might seem a little unnecessary but those of with mental health conditions have benefitted from gestures like these, and we feel that the isolation that it's hard to describe at the moment, warrants kindness and these little acts of kindness speak volumes. Thank you to all of the disabled women who have taken part in this project. The fantastic news is that we're going to continue...it's needed.
We've talked about how important it has been to have a space for disabled women which felt safe, where there is understanding and empathy, and where our isolations has been reduced slightly. Several of us have also said that the activities we've done together have carried on during the week, some of us starting longer term projects and it extends our connection with each other which is an important feeling when we feel left behind and disappointed by the lack of proactive, open and spoken support. people have wearied quickly of the need for something new and innovative.
Our well-being has been improved by seeing each other each week, by talking, laughing and being creative, and we've wanted to share that, both to raise our visibility (still essential) and to share elements of wellbeing. We've shared our beautiful creations in our online galleries and on social media, and some of us have shared some of the work in our communities - we've hung supportive decorative labels on bushes and trees in our local area for people to find. And this is the essence of the kindness stones - we get to have pleasure making something decorative and thinking how someone might feel finding it, what they may need to hear. It's a tiny gesture but is about making a mark and leaving a trail of breadcrumbs. In any other times, gestures like these might seem a little unnecessary but those of with mental health conditions have benefitted from gestures like these, and we feel that the isolation that it's hard to describe at the moment, warrants kindness and these little acts of kindness speak volumes. Thank you to all of the disabled women who have taken part in this project. The fantastic news is that we're going to continue...it's needed.
Samantha Blackburn
Lynne Mcfarlane
Vici Wreford-Sinnott
A Trail of Breadcrumbs
A Trail of Breadcrumbs
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