Narrative Medicine for Patients
Resources to Inspire Writing:
Poets writing on illness, life and death:
Good Reads:
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
By Jean-Dominique Baby
The story of a man who suffers a massive stroke resulting in locked in syndrome. Unable to move any muscle consciously except for the one eyelid, he tells his own story by blinking his eye.
Intoxicated by My Illness
By Anatole Broyard
An example of a patient who defeats death by telling his own story.
A Whole New Life
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.
How to love the world: Poems of gratitude and hope
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.
Tiger Livy
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.
Dear Arthritis: A conversation
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.