VIMHS
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
Turning medical records into poetry
Turning medical records into poetry
Turning medical records into poetry
Friday 12th April 2024
Poet Nisha Patel transforms her medical records into powerful poetry, critiquing the impersonal nature of medical documentation.
43 minutes
Honest
Raw
Engaging
Informative
Compassionate
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Get the buttons here!Turning Medical Records into Poetry: Nisha Patel's Journey
Episode Overview
- Nisha Patel transforms her medical records into a poetry collection.
- She critiques the impersonal nature of clinical language.
- Her work highlights the emotional toll of medical diagnoses.
- Nisha uses blackout poetry techniques to express her experiences.
- The episode explores broader themes like disability and empathy in healthcare.
These were all very personal experiences for me. But for the system, they were just yet another form
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to turn your medical records into poetry? In this episode of People First Radio, Nisha Patel, Poet Laureate Emeritus for the City of Edmonton, shares her unique journey of transforming her medical records into a compelling poetry collection titled 'A Fate Worse Than Death'. Nisha delves into her experiences of reading through her psychiatric and medical records, which spurred feelings of anger and frustration due to their impersonal nature.
She explains how these emotions fuelled her creativity, leading her to craft poems that critique the dehumanising language often found in medical documentation. Nisha candidly discusses the challenges she faced during the pandemic, including a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and the emotional toll it took on her. Her reflections reveal the stark contrast between the personal significance of her medical experiences and the clinical detachment with which they were recorded.
This episode offers a raw and honest look at how art can emerge from pain and how poetry can serve as a powerful tool for self-expression and critique. Nisha's poetry employs blackout techniques to highlight the disconnection between patients and the medical system. She also touches on broader themes such as disability, societal perceptions, and the importance of empathy in healthcare.
By sharing her story, Nisha invites you to reflect on your own interactions with the medical system and consider how art can be a form of resistance and healing. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in mental health, recovery, and the transformative power of art. Nisha's journey is not just about turning medical records into poetry but also about reclaiming her narrative and finding strength in vulnerability.
Tune in to hear more about her creative process and the impact of her work.