Patchwork Community Care’s name was chosen with deliberate care and intention, and it works to honor our roots in the practice of radically inclusive care.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt
The AIDS Memorial Quilt began in 1987, and it is a beautiful, ever-growing community art memorial that serves to honor the millions of lives lost to the AIDS pandemic. It is the largest continuous community art project in the world. During the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, lesbians stepped up to provide care and support to gay and trans folks affected by HIV. They organized blood drives, provided medical care, hospice support, and public education when the institutions in power fell painfully short. Learn more about the role of lesbians in the AIDS pandemic here: https://www.youthco.org/lesbian_solidarity_during_the_aids_epidemic
Wren first learned about HIV in the 90’s, while growing up in Indiana. They completed a book report about Ryan White, a fellow Hoosier, who lived with HIV after they contracted the virus from a blood transfusion. Ryan was ostracized and stigmatized for his infection, making the time he had on earth extremely challenging and isolating. Years later, Wren experienced The AIDS Memorial Quilt for the first time in Atlanta, GA, while attending Atlanta Pride in college. They were struck by the vastness of the panels laid out on the lawn, in what they thought was stark juxtaposition to the festival goers’ joy and radiant energy. The blocks, each designed to the approximate size of a casket, were so personal and full of life and joy themselves. After graduating from PA school, Wren went on to receive their HIV Specialist certification through the American Academy of HIV Medicine in order to better provide HIV and Hepatitis C treatment and management in the primary care setting.
Learn more about the history of the AIDS Memorial Quilt here: https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt-history
Patch Adams, MD
Patch Adams, MD, is a doctor and a clown, a person who believes that healing comes in all forms, and a human that knows that ultimately we take care of each other. He holds a vision for creating accessible care for all who need it. Aside from the inspiring and comical biographical film bearing his name, which we highly recommend you watch, (check out a review and a trailer here), Patch Adams founded The Gesundheit! Institute, which you can learn more about here: https://www.patchadams.org/patch-adams/. Wren first learned of Patch Adams in their young adulthood, both through the film, Patch Adams, and through their connection with community members that attended various clowning trips with Patch as a way to provide joy and care to folks all over the globe.
Quilters of Gee’s Bend
The Quilters of Gee’s Bend are descendants of formerly enslaved people, with a rich history and tradition of quilting and creating that dates back to the 19th century. Their “my way” quilt style, made up of whatever material they found available to use, allows for the creation of quilts with radically innovative and visionary designs – born out of necessity.
Patchwork takes inspiration from this improvisational design work, trusting that what is available is not only enough, but accessing available resources in new and unconventional ways may in fact give rise to visions beyond what we can see from this vantage point. We look to the quilters of Gee’s Bend and learn from their resourcefulness and trust in what is possible.
Learn more about the history of Gee’s Bend here:
“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief.
Do justly now,
Love mercy now,
Walk humbly now.
You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.”
The Talmud