The Diving Bell and The Butterfly – From the Eye of the Unseen
Download the article (pdf) Table of Contents The Diving Bell and the Butterfly was written by Jean Dominique Bauby, following a catastrophic stroke resulting in Locked In Syndrome. Locked In Syndrome (LIS), also known as “pseudocoma,” is caused by a severe brainstem stroke. The resulting physical effects include complete paralysis, except for sparing of […]
Poem: Cadaver Anatomy – Learning Humanity
In Dr. Jim Carey’s poem, Cadaver Anatomy – Absorbing Humanity, his words urge us to look beyond the scholarship and past the muscles and ligaments to the person and life that once lived within the body: “Past your science / Past our machinery / Seize our stories / Uphold our soul” so that, “In awe, we learn anatomy / Higher, we learn humanity.”
Disability, Humility and the Self: Some Humanistic Perspectives
In this important essay, Dr. John Banja explores the universal experience of how disability alters our perspective of life and of the meaning that we place on our lives. He utilizes the dialogue within both Edson’s Wit and Jean Dominique Bauby’s autobiographical narrative The Diving Bell and the Butterfly to ask “[when] confronted with such an assault on one’s identity, how do we re-imagine ourselves after disability strips our previous perceptions of who we are, and what gives our lives meaning?”
They Have a Story
In this perspective piece, Emilly Marshall reflects on lessons learned from the early weeks of her very first clinical rotation. Her narrative, “They Have a Story” reminds us with a sincere vulnerability and honesty to pause – and remember – that we all “have a story,” if we only listen.
Embracing Brokenness
In this editorial, Dr. Sarah Blanton explores the rich collection of poetry, perspectives, media reviews, and visual arts offered in the Summer 2015 issue of JHR and reminds readers that “seeking wholeness means sharing our brokenness and our humanness together in common dialogue.”
Wit — A Film Review, Analysis and Interview with Playwright Margaret Edson
In this compelling film review by S.A. Larson, she explores the masterful writing of award-winning playwright Margaret Edson in her Pulitzer Prize masterpiece, Wit. Included in this review is an interview with Margaret Edson in which she communicates her passionate belief that by incorporating theatre and playwriting into rehabilitation education, students can grow as clinicians, learn to confront their own mistakes and gain a deeper understanding of their patients and themselves.
Introduction to the Journal of Humanities in Rehabilitation
For the inaugural issue of the Journal of Humanities in Rehabilition, Dr. Sarah Blanton reflects on the mission and vision of JHR while detailing the articles featured in this inaugural issue.
Invitation from the Humanities: Learning from Voices Outside of Sciences
Dr. Ruth Purtilo shares her endorsement of the timely and critical role of a humanities journal effectively propels us forward with a sense of confidence in our purpose. Dr. Purtilo, with her wise and long-held leadership in physical therapy, so eloquently notes: “[s]pringing from our beginnings of ‘setting rehab goals’ for the other, what has sprouted is the realization that our success ultimately depends on engaging a deeply human involvement with the other” and the humanities provide guidance to cultivate that connection.
Embodied Narrative: Living Out Our Lives
For this inaugural issue, we are very humbled and honored to have Dr. Rita Charon share her perspectives on the importance of humanities in rehabilitation sciences. Dr. Charon, who has pioneered the study of narrative medicine, generously provides an interdisciplinary perspective that powerfully underscores the concept that humanities are “[f]ull partners in the restoration of health.”
The Anatomy Studies of Thomas Eakins
The Historical Perspectives in Art section provides an introduction to a classic artist (painter, sculpture or photographer) whose work may reflect a study of human body and movement, confrontation with disease or other aspects of the human condition. For our first example, we chose one of the most influential artists in American history, Thomas Eakins. A realist painter, photographer, sculptor and fine arts educator, he is known for his in-depth study of the body in motion.