In our last Open Forum on April 4th we explored healthism from different angles. First Laura (name changed) worked in the middle on not wanting to share anything about her body symptoms and illnesses publicly. She mentioned the fear of being shamed for being sick and unfit, the multiple ways she feels marginalized by doctors who pathologize her and others who patronize her by being too helpful. Laura took the role of the judgmental healthy person and remained unrelated and unaffected by any of the comments of the facilitator playing her as a sick person. The divide between the two worlds became apparent. She was then willing to work on a throw away symptom: her irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation. Out of this work a playful free spirit came forth that invited the whole group into moving and dancing together.

The open forum that followed focused on rift between doctors and patients, between the healthy and fit and the sick, and the lack of care in a culture that marginalizes illness and death and wants cure. Many spoke about their fears and reluctance to share their vulnerabilities around body symptoms, their hopelessness about finding care and support, and about not trusting doctors who remain detached, objective and neutral. Laura then was able to transcend the divide and care for both sides: the difficult “life” of doctors and the pain expressed by the participants who spoke in the role of patients.

The next dreambody medicine forum will be held Friday June 6, 2014 from 7-9.30pm at the Process Work Institute.