About the Doll Project:
This project was designed in July of 1999 for women living with HIV infection. STITCHES was the brain-child of Ms. Gerus-Darbison and her co-worker at that time, Candice Moench. Both these women are AIDS Educators and activists in the state of Michigan. For several years they wanted to create a project that combined art and life, as an interactive way to educate the community at large. These two women wanted to find a way to preserve the stories of HIV positive women everywhere. So, the dolls in the STITCHES project are created by HIV positive women all over the country and then returned to us to become part of a continuing traveling exhibit.
Not only does this project give women a safe place to voice their feelings about how HIV has affected their lives, but its also a gift that others can learn from.
On the following pages of this website you will be able to see all the completed dolls we have received thus far. Along with each photo is written text from each woman artist answering the following question: "If your doll could talk what would she say?"
The answers will amaze and touch you. There are also many facts and other information on these pages. Come back and visit often. Tell a friend about it. Remember, knowledge is power. We need to learn from those who came before us.
About the Founder
(And her doll):
TITLE: Bound
ARTIST: Kathleen Gerus-Darbison
BIRTHDATE: December 7, 1957
DATE OF HIV DIAGNOSIS: December 8, 1985
She symbolizes all the important people and things that have made her what she is today.
Her mouth speaks of AIDS Awareness.
She is naked, vulnerable. Except for the ever-present BIOHAZARD.
The wild, colorful hair represents her many moods, fears and feelings.
Around her neck and shoulders are the people who love, support and nurture her.
In her arms she holds her daughter who has witnessed everything.
She is bound and tied by events of the past and present.
The bed signifies the place where HIV entered her life.
The red box is filled with her husband’s ashes, the bloodstone speaks of his hemophilia.
The mirror reflects society's opinion of people with HIV.
Kathy Gerus-Darbison is a white, suburban woman from Metro Detroit. She is a Mother, Widow, Daughter, Aunt, Sister, New Wife and an AIDS Activist and Educator.
