STEVE

STEVE'S HEALING DOLL
An Image of Wellness

My brother was diagnosed with the beginning stages of prostate cancer late fall 2002. I asked him if he would be willing to accept a healing doll from me. He was open to it. This is important part of making a healing doll for someone; they have to give the dollmaker permission to make the healing doll. When I am asked to make a healing doll I supply TEN QUESTIONS. The answers to these questions must come from the person for whom the doll is for, because they are the one person who knows what they want the doll to represent.

This symbol – the doll – becomes a healing metaphor for the healing goal. When that person looks at the doll it will remind them of the healing crisis they moved through and the positive “healed” outcome. My brother wanted the doll to signify “the dawning of a new day” in his life and “a new compassionate and considerate” person he would become after being healed. He described colors and images that represented exotic places with lots of water and sunshine. So the fabric used on the doll is hand painted with tropical colors and the face represents a shining sun (he spoke of the sun several times in his responses to questions).

The cloak that wraps the doll symbolizes self love and my love for him. It has three green leaves embellished on the front representing new growth. Inside the cloak are seven little male figures standing for the seven dwarfs. One of the questions ask, “What is your favorite fairy tale.” My brother's answer was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Steve thought the kiss from the prince represented an awakening from cancer to a new world of possibilities. It thought that each of the seven dwarfs had a special meaning:

DOC - Your inner healer, the part that loves you no matter what and has all the tools to help you heal.

DOPEY - is the silly, playful part …remember laughter has been proven to heal the emotions, the mind and the body.

BASHFUL is the part that is the introspective and intuitive. You need this part to settle down and go within.

GRUMPY is the hard worker, the rational mind, searching for and mining all the facts about the disease and the surgery.

HAPPY celebrates your life and is grateful for the gifts life has given you up until this point.

SLEEPY reminds you to rest, recuperate and recover. Take the time you need to heal and reenergize.

SNEEZY is your body speaking up when your mind thinks it knows better than your body. Ahhhhh-CHOO!

The body of the doll has several symbols of T-Cells sewn on it. T-Cells are the cancer killing cells. A spiral is sewn where the prostate is located on the male body. I put this here to represent healing energy – spirals often are symbols for energy and healing. You may notice that the doll and the “dwarfs” are anatomically correct. This was important in this case, as the prostate is part of the male reproduction system and male sexuality. I thought it was important to affirm this part of him.