When Language Runs Dry #1
What does it mean to have chronic pain and to be a part of a subculture like punk that often ignores issues of disability/immobility? How can allies of those who experience chronic pain make changes in their actions and in their communities to better suit the needs of all involved? How does chronic pain come to mark one’s identity and render them invisible to our larger culture? How are those who do not experience this pain implicated in the erasure of other peoples’ identities? This zine’s first piece is a perfect starting point for thinking about these issues, as the author lays out her definitions of pain before and after being diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease. Concepts of pain that were once tangible and rooted in concrete injuries with direct solutions for healing and easily identifiable modes of prevention may no longer feel relevant with the onset of chronic pain. This compilation of seven writings on chronic pain and illness is essential reading for those who experience chronic pain, as well as for their allies who aim to gain greater understanding of the pain experience. As a person who has never experienced chronic pain or serious illness, I found this zine to be helpful in its ability to illuminate both the emotional and physical challenges that people face, as well as the questions people like myself must examine in order to better care for our loved ones. The essays inside cover issues of capitalism’s influence on the way we view illness, the impact of race/gender/class on peoples’ experiences with pain, as well as, societal pressures to be “brave” in the face of trauma. The contributors aim to put words to unspeakable experiences and indescribable sensations. For those who are searching for concrete ways to heal from chronic pain, and for those who seek a direct plan for helping those who have chronic pain, this zine may not contain the answers. If anything, the writing within points exactly to the intangible and amorphous qualities of chronic pain, healing and support. It is imperative that people begin having dialogs about how to support each other in the realm of health and accessibility, and zines like this one are important steps in understanding the needs of community members. I’m excited that this is an ongoing project and can’t wait for the next issue.
What does it mean to have chronic pain and to be a part of a subculture like punk that often ignores issues of disability/immobility? How can allies of those who experience chronic pain make changes in their actions and in their communities to better suit the needs of all involved? How does chronic pain come to mark one’s identity and render them invisible to our larger culture? How are those who do not experience this pain implicated in the erasure of other peoples’ identities? This zine’s first piece is a perfect starting point for thinking about these issues, as the author lays out her definitions of pain before and after being diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease. Concepts of pain that were once tangible and rooted in concrete injuries with direct solutions for healing and easily identifiable modes of prevention may no longer feel relevant with the onset of chronic pain. This compilation of seven writings on chronic pain and illness is essential reading for those who experience chronic pain, as well as for their allies who aim to gain greater understanding of the pain experience. As a person who has never experienced chronic pain or serious illness, I found this zine to be helpful in its ability to illuminate both the emotional and physical challenges that people face, as well as the questions people like myself must examine in order to better care for our loved ones. The essays inside cover issues of capitalism’s influence on the way we view illness, the impact of race/gender/class on peoples’ experiences with pain, as well as, societal pressures to be “brave” in the face of trauma. The contributors aim to put words to unspeakable experiences and indescribable sensations. For those who are searching for concrete ways to heal from chronic pain, and for those who seek a direct plan for helping those who have chronic pain, this zine may not contain the answers. If anything, the writing within points exactly to the intangible and amorphous qualities of chronic pain, healing and support. It is imperative that people begin having dialogs about how to support each other in the realm of health and accessibility, and zines like this one are important steps in understanding the needs of community members. I’m excited that this is an ongoing project and can’t wait for the next issue.
-Diane Anastasio
from Maximum Rocknroll #310
from Maximum Rocknroll #310
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