CAGES WITHIN CAGES: reflections

Cages Within Cages tells the story of a young woman who breaks her foot from the perspective of her college roommate. While the story speaks of illness, its connection to the field of narrative medicine may not be instantly clear. Though the story is not written by a physician or a medical student - signature of a classic narrative medicine piece - it implements the context and background of a patient's case. It shows how illness can not only take away from one's day to day life, but flip it entirely upside down. Additionally, it discusses interactions with healthcare workers from the perspective of a patient, as well as the contingent emotions they may instigate. Despite how pressing outside circumstances become, one is never truly as exposed and helpless as when his or her health is in question. This is a core fact which Monica's story highlights.