"Tell Me Dolls" Provide a Safe Haven for Secrets
For Nicole Farrell staying positive and keeping busy is simply every day common practice. She has always been active and incredibly involved...
http://www.menifee247.com/2012/03/tell-me-dolls-provide-safe-haven-for.html
For Nicole Farrell staying positive and keeping busy is simply every day common practice. She has always been active and incredibly involved with her community.
The month of March has been dedicated to supporting the local non-profit organization, Women Against Child Trafficking, as a whole. In delving into their efforts we find the remarkable individuals that make the operation possible, Nicole Farrell is one such person.
In 2007 Nicole moved to Menifee with her husband, John, to rest and recuperate from a severe back injury. One year later in 2008 life decided to slow her down again with a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy surgery.
It seemed she was regaining some semblance of health until September 2009 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor needing immediate radiation and surgery. Over the past two years, Nicole has undergone eight serious surgeries.
Despite her experience with multiple health struggles Nicole responds by saying, “I feel so lucky that this is all I have to deal with, the outcome could have been much worse.” Positivity must be her middle name.
Not one to lay idle, Nicole began looking for productive hobbies to occupy her time during long car rides to San Diego for treatment and while waiting in doctor’s offices for radiation. So, she took up knitting.
She found knitting to be very therapeutic and healing. Her sister sent her a pattern for a knitted doll, and although she had only knit straight stitches so far, she began to figure out the doll.
While researching patterns Nicole came across handmade “tell me dolls” and had the sudden idea to knit them for the local non-profit group, Women Against Child Trafficking, to add to their dignity bags.
As a member of GFWC Menifee Woman's Club Nicole immediately thought to reach out to the President of the organization, Robbie Motter. With the support of her friends and fellow club members from the Woman's Club and Woman Against Child Trafficking, together they were able to set her idea into motion.
“Tell Me Dolls” are soft knitted dolls specifically made with no mouths. The idea is that children and teens dealing with trauma can find comfort in this doll, as well as a safe place to store all their secrets and talk through their ordeal.
Women Against Child Trafficking helps children who are recovering from abduction and abuse and provides them with dignity bags full of personal items, hygiene products, and now, their very own tell me doll.
Finding a renewed way to be involved again has opened up Nicole’s life. “These dolls will bring joy and comfort to young children,” she says, “Every stitch on every doll is a labor of love.”
She carries her knitting with her wherever she goes and has begun asking prominent individuals in the community to contribute a stitch.
The most ironic participant perhaps, happened in her pre-op appointment when she asked her surgeon if he would add a stitch to the doll.
To see this prestigious doctor stitching with yarn and needles instead of sanitized instruments and microscopic thread was just the humorous antidote needed in such a serious setting.
Through her trials she maintains an optimistic outlook and continues to look for new ways to make people smile.
Although she doesn't do it for the glory, since starting this knitting venture back in November her dolls have already won multiple awards. They have earned her two nominations for the Daily Point of Light award and the NAWBO-IE Trailblazer Award, and yet, she continues to knit for the cause not for recognition.
When asked how she stays so positive, Nicole humbly says, "I thank my family and friends for their continued support, for their prayers, and their cheering."
It's a network of people helping people, and that is essentially what makes our community go round.
If you are interested in helping make a difference, Nicole has patterns for both knitted and crocheted dolls. Please contact her at nicolefarrell123@hotmail.com.
GFWC Menifee Woman's Club
Contact: President, Robbie Motter
(951) 679-8048 // rmotter@aol.com
Website: http://gfwc-menifeewomansclub.com
Woman Against Child Trafficking
Contact: Darlene Tarnoski
(951) 440-6330 // adifference@live.com
Website: http://womenagainstchildtrafficking.org
The month of March has been dedicated to supporting the local non-profit organization, Women Against Child Trafficking, as a whole. In delving into their efforts we find the remarkable individuals that make the operation possible, Nicole Farrell is one such person.
In 2007 Nicole moved to Menifee with her husband, John, to rest and recuperate from a severe back injury. One year later in 2008 life decided to slow her down again with a breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy surgery.
It seemed she was regaining some semblance of health until September 2009 when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor needing immediate radiation and surgery. Over the past two years, Nicole has undergone eight serious surgeries.
Despite her experience with multiple health struggles Nicole responds by saying, “I feel so lucky that this is all I have to deal with, the outcome could have been much worse.” Positivity must be her middle name.
Not one to lay idle, Nicole began looking for productive hobbies to occupy her time during long car rides to San Diego for treatment and while waiting in doctor’s offices for radiation. So, she took up knitting.
She found knitting to be very therapeutic and healing. Her sister sent her a pattern for a knitted doll, and although she had only knit straight stitches so far, she began to figure out the doll.
While researching patterns Nicole came across handmade “tell me dolls” and had the sudden idea to knit them for the local non-profit group, Women Against Child Trafficking, to add to their dignity bags.
As a member of GFWC Menifee Woman's Club Nicole immediately thought to reach out to the President of the organization, Robbie Motter. With the support of her friends and fellow club members from the Woman's Club and Woman Against Child Trafficking, together they were able to set her idea into motion.
“Tell Me Dolls” are soft knitted dolls specifically made with no mouths. The idea is that children and teens dealing with trauma can find comfort in this doll, as well as a safe place to store all their secrets and talk through their ordeal.
Women Against Child Trafficking helps children who are recovering from abduction and abuse and provides them with dignity bags full of personal items, hygiene products, and now, their very own tell me doll.
Finding a renewed way to be involved again has opened up Nicole’s life. “These dolls will bring joy and comfort to young children,” she says, “Every stitch on every doll is a labor of love.”
She carries her knitting with her wherever she goes and has begun asking prominent individuals in the community to contribute a stitch.
The most ironic participant perhaps, happened in her pre-op appointment when she asked her surgeon if he would add a stitch to the doll.
To see this prestigious doctor stitching with yarn and needles instead of sanitized instruments and microscopic thread was just the humorous antidote needed in such a serious setting.
Through her trials she maintains an optimistic outlook and continues to look for new ways to make people smile.
Although she doesn't do it for the glory, since starting this knitting venture back in November her dolls have already won multiple awards. They have earned her two nominations for the Daily Point of Light award and the NAWBO-IE Trailblazer Award, and yet, she continues to knit for the cause not for recognition.
When asked how she stays so positive, Nicole humbly says, "I thank my family and friends for their continued support, for their prayers, and their cheering."
It's a network of people helping people, and that is essentially what makes our community go round.
If you are interested in helping make a difference, Nicole has patterns for both knitted and crocheted dolls. Please contact her at nicolefarrell123@hotmail.com.
GFWC Menifee Woman's Club
Contact: President, Robbie Motter
(951) 679-8048 // rmotter@aol.com
Website: http://gfwc-menifeewomansclub.com
Woman Against Child Trafficking
Contact: Darlene Tarnoski
(951) 440-6330 // adifference@live.com
Website: http://womenagainstchildtrafficking.org
