Narrative Medicine for Patients

Compiled by Suzanne Edison and Carol Roshwanna Williams

Dear Arthritis is the result of a combined writing and art workshop provided to Juvenile Arthritis patients, caregivers and other family members to express their experiences with chronic disease.

By Erin Garcia

Tiger Livy is the story of a brave six-year-old who inspires empathy, patients, and grit in young readers. It was created for children living with chronic illness and is a great read for any child. Livy is a vibrant, clever little girl who usually loves to play and pounce like a tiger. That is until one day when she unexpectedly gets very sick. Finding inspiration from her favorite feline, Livy transforms her mindset and takes on the monumental task of mentally and emotionally healing from chronic illness.

By Alexander Draper

This children's story introduces the reader to seven-year-old Alex who has fun doing lots of things, but doesn't like having Juvenile Arthritis. Alex shares his "ups and downs" with the reader but maintains a positive attitude and emphasizes the importance of taking prescribed medication and staying active.

By James Crews

The book offers readers uplifting, deeply felt, and relatable poems by well-known poets from all walks of life and all parts of the US. The author offers writing and reflection prompts as well as reading group questions and topics for discussion as well.

By Hannah Moskowitz

While living with rheumatoid arthritis, Isabel meets another "sick kid" who understands her more than her own father who is a doctor. Isabel has one rule: No dating. But it's never felt better to consider breaking that rule for him.

By Lois Keith

When fifteen-year-old Libby is exposed to a mysterious infection, she must struggle with the long recovery process and the prospect that she may never walk again.

By Josh Sundquist

At 9 years old, Josh Sundquist was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a particularly virulent cancer strain that would eventually claim Josh's left leg. Told in a wide-eyed, winning, heartbreaking voice, Just Don't Fall is the story of the boy Josh was and of the young man he became. As a skiier, Josh became a champion of the Paralympics and shares with us that even if we fall, inner grace can lift us up and carry us over the many mountains we all must face.

By Bethany Hamilton

Bethany Hamilton, survivor of a shark's stealth attack in Kauai, Hawaii, shares her surfing journey and her unprecendented bid for a top showing in the World Surfing Championship.

By Rebekah Taussig

Growing up as a paralyzed girl in the 90s and early 2000s, Rebekah Taussig only saw disability depicted as something monstrous (The hunchback of Notre Dame), inspirational (Helen Keller) or angelic (Forrest Gump). None of this felt right, and she chose to reflect on what it means to live in a body that doesn't fit.

By John Green

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

By Reynolds Price

A story of what the patient experience can be like by an articulate patient who has high expectations for the way in which he should be treated.

 By Julia Watts Belser

Scholar, activist and rabbi Julia Watts Belser is all too familiar with the question "What's wrong with you?" She points out that living with a wheelchair isn't the problem, it's the exclusion, objectification, pity and disdain. In this reflection, Julia explores what it means to be a disabled Jewish feminist.

By Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

Through this collection of essays, Leah explores the politics and realities of disability justice. She celebrates the work that sick and disabled queer/people of color are doing to find each other and build power and community.

By Paul Kalanithi

At the age of thiry-six, ready to complete a decade's worht of training as a neurosurgeon, Pal Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. This book chronicles Paul's transformation from a naive medical student into a neurosurgeon working in the brain, into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality.