Medium: Metal IV pole, medical gown, inflatable mannequin (190 cm x 70 cm x 30 cm)

Video available at: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wbqe6cFn0vD6GdaUtDav01kIfU0F2Z2R/view

Presentation done via zoom at the exhibition:

Hello, I am a patient mentor who has been given the great honour of being included in the PIE interpretive project exhibition for 2020. I am currently mentoring five medical students, two of whom have projects that are being displayed in this virtual gallery tonight.

My creation, titled Learning and Loathing: Lessons from the Paper Gown is a visual representation of what it means to live with the label of chronic illness. This faceless, nameless mannequin represents the patient, wearing one of those all-too-familiar paper blue gowns, that come in one-size fits none.

I wanted this piece to be suspended to represent the hang-ups that come with chronic illness. The IV pole represents being tied to the medical community, tethered by a medical condition, weighed down by the fact that as patients we can’t always do what we want to do, because our bodies betray us or our treatments hold us back from living the lives we wish we could experience.

I like to joke and say I collect rare chronic conditions like they are trading cards, but the reality is not as fabulous as it may sound, however, that doesn’t mean it isn't worthy of a sash so I had to incorporate one into this installation. Above the heart I have listed the positive aspects that have come from having a chronic illness, and below the sash -in the dark underbelly of the piece- are the negative side effects of being diagnosed with something that will forever alter a person’s way of life.

The patient ID bracelets (Miss Diagnosed and Miss Understood) represent two common themes that come up for patients who have to navigate the medical system. All too often patients are not given the medical attention they need simply because doctors don’t have enough time or they lack the understanding or awareness to hear what is really being expressed. At times the patient may even question their own sanity because they feel that no one believes them, or they are told that the issues are all “just in their head”.

At some point we all realize, there is no turning back. This is your life now.

I hope this piece gives some insight to future doctors, the medical community, as well as friends and families of people with chronic illnesses; and that it allows other patients to feel a connection so they know they are not alone in their struggle.

Thank you.