Nancy’s original drawing (made using 2 pen strokes):

NancyFriday017

my re-creation:

17b

Stitched this one while watching a documentary on World War II and how the Nazis exterminated people like Nancy because of their imperfections. The intent was to create a pure and superior Aryan race, but of course the Nazis dressed their depravity in a pretty dress. Said it was a humane thing they were doing, to put these precious spirits out of the misery of having to live with their deformities. And hey, it was not just the Nazis who felt this way. History shows this was the prevailing scientific, medical, and cultural thinking long before Hitler came to power. It was quite chilling, actually, to be watching this show while stitching Nancy’s drawings. And maddening – oh my goodness, it was maddening beyond description. I think not just about history, but of all the alien movies and wars and feuds, and I wonder: when will we – will we ever – stop being afraid of those who are different? Will we ever open ourselves to learning from those who are different? Will we ever stop conquering, dismissing, and exterminating just because someone doesn’t look or sound like us? Just wonderin’.

And wishin’.

~~~~~~~~~

She draws, I stitch.
She is my developmentally disabled sister-in-law, Nancy,
and I am Jeanne, the woman who flat-out loves her.
Go here to start at the beginning and read your way current.