The women decorated their own body castings, which Verley says helped them to reshape their experience and promote positive body images. The castings were hung on a clothesline, the idea being that the women could hang out the torso like they would clothes on a line, an ordinary thing to bring the crisis of cancer back into perspective. Some of the body castings were worn in the performance by the professional dancers of the Cadence Dance Project. The goal of Waking Dreams and Warrior Women is not to create an alternative to traditional treatment but to offer spiritual healing as well. I know I wouldn't be standing here talking to you without it.
People seem drawn to the concept.
Verley says the group is growing quickly. The nonprofit organization incorporated in February. While it is based in Rhode Island, it has board members across the country as well as international representatives. The group is filling a void in medicine, Verley says. Art therapy is complementary care that helps improve the quality of life, she says.