Patient Advocacy through Graphic Healing

[Joan Tu]

I would like to invite you to my patient presentation on June 11, 11am MST (Mountain Time). Registration link and details below. This presentation is graciously being hosted by Canopy Art and Wellness as part of the “See Me, Hear Me” art show.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/patient-advocacy-through-graphic-healing-tickets-1384255849509

Healing Through Story: Patient Advocacy in Pictures

After developing an allergy that is poorly understood by the public and healthcare professionals, Joan found she had to advocate for herself. So she made books. Despite the stumbling blocks, every book became a stepping stone on a path of self-advocacy and restoration of identity. From writing and illustrating two storybooks featuring the first children's book character with her allergy, she found that these books fostered empathy and community. Join in for a session where she will highlight some of the challenges of patient advocacy and book-making, as well as share resources that have been most helpful.

About the speaker

Joan Tu is the author of The Green Soap Girl & the Itchy Allergy, which has been peer-reviewed and included in the Green Chemistry Teaching and Learning Community library. Her book The Green Soap Girl Goes to the Beach was funded by Calgary Arts Development which enabled her to raise further awareness about methylisothiazolinone allergy. She was formerly a medical student at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, however left the program after developing severe contact dermatitis from not being diagnosed correctly for 2.5 years. She has since continued to promote equity by producing educational resources and publishing them under the brand MedULingo.

[Chris Johnston]

@Joan-Tu This is awesome! Congratulations on both the book and the event. Sadly I can’t make it but hope it will be recorded, as I’d love to see it. I’ve shared the Eventbrite link with the writing community I belong to as I know there’s great interest in the topic of health advocacy through writing.

[Joan Tu]

@Chris-Johnston Sounds good. At least a portion will be recorded so I’ll post the link when available.