This presentation comes out of a qualitative research study examining the issue of intimacy after illness. It studies the evolution of thought that begins to occur after one is diagnosed with his/her illness and follows into the physical and mental recovery of the patient. The process has four distinct phases: (A) feeling betrayed by the bod(B) being consumed with treatment; (C) acknowledging the scars that are forming and may remain from the illness; and (D) forgiving and accepting the body again.The two main goals of the presentation are to make people aware of how they view their bodies and then to help them transform negatives and enhance the positives through writing exercises and physical activities.Such methods provide alternate ways into our knowledge of ilness and thus serve to illuminate the disparities of health care more clearly.
Learning Objectives: 1. During this session the audiance will create awareness of how they view their own bodies. 2.The audiance will be able to create awareness of the differences in perceptions of illness and healing. 3. The audiance will learn how to heighten tenderness to self
Keywords: Healing, Alternative Medicine/Therapies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.