Sharing the patient experience in the classroom with the Art for Recovery program (AFR) (Meeting abstract). NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1994. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Sharing the patient experience in the classroom with the Art for Recovery program (AFR) (Meeting abstract).

Proc Annu Meet Am Soc Clin Oncol; 13:A1552 1994. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/94601545
Perlis C; Wallace D; Rosenbaum E; UCSF/Mount Zion Medical Center, 1600 Divisidaro St., San; Francisco CA 94120

Abstract: Beginning in September of 1992, a co-operative learning/healing project was initiated involving 24 7th and 8th grade students from Brandeis Hillel Day School and 12 adult AFR participants with cancer or AIDS from the medical center. Ms Perlis delivered patients' art work and letters to the students each month, facilitated a group discussion, and the students' replies. The objective of the project was to increase awareness and compassion regarding life threatening diseases among the students. Initially the children were unsure of what to write or to draw. As the monthly exchanges occurred the students and the patients became more inquisitive, intimate, and candid. Students were soon asking what it felt like to have a life-threatening illness such as cancer or AIDS. The exchanges of art works and letters brought forth shared concerns, such as embarrassment over a wind-blown wig, physical limitations, or fear of dying. Patients who were well enough visited the school to meet their 'pen pals.' This interpersonal experience validated what had previously only been known at a distance--we are all community. Illness does not make us less human nor does it render obsolete our basic need for social belonging.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Adolescence Adult *Art Therapy Child Human Neoplasms ABSTRACT

KWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndromeadolescenceadultKWDarttherapychildhumanneoplasmsabstract
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Copyright © 1994 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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