
Reviews
"Life
at its most naked,
exposing the resentment
and confusion that can overwhelm the most loving caregivers
... the actors escape
gravity"
- Michael Evans, SEE
Magazine, Edmonton
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"heavy subject matter ... light and
entertaining ... powerful"
- Phil Dupperon, VUE Weekly
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Reviews from the Caregiving Community
Click for:
One-Page Ready-to-Print Summary
| "Brilliant
- I was totally enthralled - you have a very important play here. I
can't wait to see it again." - Joan Barrington, Director of Therapeutic Art Program at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto | |
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"Excellent - very
intelligently written, produced and brilliantly performed
." - Barbara Perry, Regional Coordinator, Alberta Association of Registered Nurses | |
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“Profound is an over-used word.
But this was profound. You
saw it in the response of the audience.
And you felt it in yourself.”
- Keitha Lamey, Special Needs Educator, Toronto District School Board | |
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You have embraced the issues every
caregiver faces in such a positive and uplifting manner. ... You give
everyone new hope. - Barb Beecroft, Leisureworld, Director of Nursing | |
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"Exposes both the pain and the joys of caregiving ...
Helps us all. It brought tears to my eyes." - Dale Goldhawk, then-President, Alzheimer Society of Canada | |
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Heal Thyself inspires and enables people to talk about issues most
of us avoid. The dialogue and action are emblazoned in my mind - the scenes give a
focus and freedom for families to discuss difficult questions.
- Tashana Thomas, CANES Home support services | |
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"Heal
Thyself gripped me throughout the show as I saw glimpses of my own
experience as a child of someone with Alzheimer Disease. As
Jonathon writhed in agony, I felt pain. As he & Carlynn performed,
I saw & felt the truth of their words. Even now,
I ponder the nuances and twists & turns of the script. Thank you
& well done!" - Roy Bedford, Regional Director, Alzheimer's Society of Alberta |
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"Deeply exhilarating ... Painfully, wondrously Real." - Cynthia Croker, Motus O Dance Theatre |
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My heart ached as you approached each hurdle and struggle.
As a caregiver, I know intellectually that others are in the same boat, but it's such a relief and support to experience that I am not alone - the confusion, the questions, the tiredness, the anger, the struggle with
faith - the total frustration. I felt such empathy for the family
members struggling to make the situation as comfortably bearable for
everyone, including themselves, as best they could. It's so hard
when you have no training to suddenly cope with declining health
situations. It sure gives you a new appreciation for those in the
caregiving profession.
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Sincerely, this should be required study
for health professionals - never have I experienced such rich learning -
multiple levels, multiple intelligences. Caregivers and everyone will
delight in the drama and the discoveries.
- Annita Maat, caregiver
... The rain was
horrendous - and a nightmare to get my husband around in - but the answers to my
questions about why I was bothering became abundantly clear. ... The
scope of what you presented will go far beyond the person being cared for and
their caregiver/s.
- Cindy Pock, Calgary
It made me miss my family - it made me appreciate my family.
I phoned them - it may be that our family is forming again.
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Dear Carlynn, Jonathon, and the Heal Thyself Team:
On behalf of the ALS Society of Canada staff who attended the performance November 3rd in Toronto, thank you for your work to raise the profile of caregiving in Canada and thank you very much for sharing very intimate, emotionally charged aspects of your lives with us. We wish you the best in completing the film and we look forward to being able to use it through the ALS Society to educate professionals and support caregivers in our communities across Canada.
Regards,
Jane
McCarthy
Director of Services and Education
The ALS Society of Canada
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This email is to give you my feedback regarding Heal Thyself from the
Vancouver Fringe. Shortly after the Fringe I took off to travel in New
Zealand for a month and a half and am only now getting caught up on my life here
at home.
While some other shows had truth, yours was the most vulnerable and public.
Thank you (both you and your families) for taking the risk.
I often don't "get" dance and when I realized that this was to be
an autobiographical piece dealing with emotionally laden subject matter, I
admit, I was somewhat worried. Too often, in my opinion, people put on
stage what should be in the therapist’s office (or workshop) and ask me to pay
money to come watch them work through their issues. I am pleased to report that
from the time the house lights went out to the end of the show, that thought did
not cross my mind. While it is clear that creating this show involved you
all having to work through some very hard issues, I felt that you had clearly
done so and were now offering me an opportunity to learn from the truth you
discovered in doing so - inviting me to consider my own life/world, and offering
your story as a framework or launching point.
I was also given a renewed respect for my mother ... we have discussed
care options which would not leave us bitter, hateful, or violent. Your
show goes a long way to getting people to talk about these things before the
need for caregiving arises and one or more of the people can’t speak for
themselves.
I saw it on a whim and will be ever grateful that I did.
I am involved with Pacific Theatre here in Vancouver, and I am a social
worker with the Forensic Psychiatric Service.
I wonder if there is some possibility of a project of some sort with your show
(or workshop), in partnership with Pacific Theatre, and one of the mental health
services? Maybe something during mental health week next year.
Maria Denholme
BC Forensic Psychiatric Service: Forensic Liaison Social Worker
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"Shockingly
brilliant. ... It
was uncomfortable - I wanted to run but my butt was stapled to the chair.
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It could have been judgmental or
sentimental - instead its power and potential are awesome. - Pam
Johnson | |
| It elevated my life to art - I
am living my life on your storyline. ....
- ___ | |
| Every moment was surprising yet
perfect.
- ___ | |
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Wonderful. ... [Contacts
provided - media, sponsorship, conferences] ...
Your show is able to provide
the deepest experience of the caregiver's life. I
would be happy to continue
this conversation at any point in the future.
- Audrey Miller MSW, RSW, CCRC, President, Elder Caring Inc./Soins Elder Caring | |
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I would be
happy to assist. You
could be doing conferences - health care conferences across the country.
...
You
have a powerful message that should be seen by as many people as possible.
CALL ME.
Laurie Peck, Vancouver |
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As a past-caregiver twice over, I found the show profoundly moving and
positive.
Both I and my guest (also a caregiver) cried during the show... it continues to
inspire important conversation between us. Tremendous courage and
creativity - a very compelling story line.
The next several days I kept seeing and hearing images that connected.
... It is not just for caregivers. (I guess we are all caregivers.) ... I have seen my mother and four siblings and patients in my medical practice lose
aspects of their personality and fade into demented dependence. The fear of
being rejected and ostracized by friends and families often keeps Alzheimer
patients from discussing their difficulties and sharing their fears. ...
I'm very impressed with the thought and energy and talent that has gone into
this performance. More power to you.
Could therapeutic dance and support groups become a product of "Heal
Thyself"?
- Dr. Minerva Cook, Mt Sinai Hospital
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... My son is 30 (yikes!!) and has cerebral palsy. ...
As do many people, we converse with a hand, a moan or a smile. I carry on a two sided conversation endlessly.
My son is a wonderful young man who for the most part I see only as the intelligent,
humourous person he is. BUT just put us in front of a mirror and I wonder who in
heaven's name this small twisted little person is. Unfortunately a lot of people who pass him by see this
image, and not the great person inside.
I liked the line about making our own loony bin, ... in our home, we do things
that are fun even if someone on the outside watching would think we seriously
need help.
I think what you all have done is wonderful. I so often have these great ideas to write what is in my head, I have some poems, but think who would care or get what I am trying to convey. Now that I have seen that every day life can very definitely be translated to touch a huge group of people I am inspired.
... grabbed me by the heart ...
The experience of Heal Thyself caused a gentle shift
in my perception of myself. And my daughter was with
me and maybe it gave her an idea of why I sometimes
seem a little !! off balance.
It was very honest, something we often do not
allow ourselves to be. AND yet very encouraging - I
left the theatre with a lightness I have not felt for
a long time.
Thank you for the chance to express myself. ...
The OFCP (Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy) and the Ministry of Health (any and every department) should see the show.
I would love to participate in a
support group focused on Heal Thyself - it would be so much more healing and awakening than a LOT of
other
groups I have been to or heard about.
- Linda Thornton, caregiver
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It was disturbing (painful truths hit home), and provoking - with very funny moments. I which I could see it again because there was so much to take in that I am sure I would get new things out of it a second time around. I was personally encouraged by how the characters found new ways of relating and changing the expectations and rules of engagement in their relationship. It compellingly takes us through the difficult journey - discovering that we cannot change another person, but if we shift our own thinking (which, in turn, shifts our emotions and behaviors), then the dance we are locked into with another will inevitably change.
This production plants seeds on so many levels.
Beth Ander
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... Carlynn and Jonathon of Imagiscape Theatre broke into an impromptu scene. A large crowd had gathered around us as I interviewed them - Suddenly they were leaping, tossing and catching each other while throwing dialogue back and forth. The crowd made a collective exclamation of awe.... We all experienced something very spontaneous and exciting.
Valerie LeBlanc, Time Travel in this Moment
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www.cfmx.com - http://www.cfmx.com/review_detail.php?review_id=424
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“Probes
the nature of caregiving and creativity. ...
a few minutes later they were being
interviewed live by a television reporter.”
- Entertainment
Staff Writer, Edmonton Journal, Aug.23
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"Wonderful. Great combination of moving and engaging script and beautiful, evocative and powerfully communicating dance/movement. - Philip Classen, Psychologist and Family Counsellor | |||||||||||||||||||
| "A profound journey of pain, self-discovery and redemption!" - Carole Brennan, North York General Hospital, Social Work Dept. | |||||||||||||||||||
"Not just for caregivers - key for anyone who cares." - Lara Masterson | |||||||||||||||||||
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"Excellent - very emotional and close to the bone but funny and moving." - Shelley McVea | |||||||||||||||||||
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"Divinely inspired!" - Alexa Kinney | |||||||||||||||||||
"Completely mesmerizing." - Suzanne Brooks | |||||||||||||||||||
"Tears burst from deep within .... Riveting." - Samuel Lee, Edible Landscape Designer | |||||||||||||||||||
"Absolutely compelling and absorbing." - Penelope Tyndale, Chair, Board of Directors, IMAGO Arts | |||||||||||||||||||
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This play has truth - it's not sentimental. I felt the therapeutic release an audience member should feel after a show like this. Thank you for entertaining me and provoking thought at the same time. - Alexander Gilmour, Edmonton
| Wow. I was stunned by the beauty, truth, light, movement, fluidity of this performance, which was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Brilliantly performed. A true gift of healing. - Lynn Lau, Edmonton
| Really beautiful, intriguing show. I’ll be looking into the documentary. Truly amazed by the interplay of the performer’s bodies. I walked in knowing little about the show, and walked out very impressed. Such a unique way to explore the role of care-givers and care-receivers.... - Sara M, Highland Park, Illinois (seen in London)
| Don't miss this one: Beautiful acting, wonderful movement work, and a text that really had truth and beauty. And I loved their set. - Carolina Miranda, MT Space
| I knew it was a dance-drama, but I was continually amazed by the physicality. ... - ______ Shockingly wonderful. - Sandy (Roxanne's friend) Very inspiring and informative - Adam Lennox I will be interested to purchase a DVD for the purpose of community education and staff education as I feel the drama would empower them in their role. - Shaila Aranha Very intriguing - amazing choreography - excellent script. - Danish Ahmed
| Honesty
& Passion: | ||||||||||||||
"One of
the bravest stage projects I've ever seen." - Michael Evans,
Entertainment Reporter, SEE Magazine | |||||||||||||||||||
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The keynote presentation was very informative - very interesting - positive - clear. | |||||||||||||||||||
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It taught me to look differently at not only physical disabilities but also my own emotional disabilities. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Breathtaking and uplifting. | |||||||||||||||||||
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Wow! Wow! Wow! This was fantastic! I loved it. ... ... Funny, touching and thought-provoking. I could go on and on. Thank you for such a gift! | |||||||||||||||||||
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The play helped the worker see how to handle situations. It should be turned into a video so more people can see it. | |||||||||||||||||||
Dynamite! (Explosive power!) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Hit me on a personal level. Thank you for opening my eyes. | |||||||||||||||||||
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It really touched my heart, and gave me better understanding. | |||||||||||||||||||
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The keynote was amazing
and it made you feel many emotions! | |||||||||||||||||||
It reminded me of my ex-partner's mother, of
being with my own parents, of my client who died, of my friends whose daughter
is disabled, and of my own helplessness when I was ill. It brought me
into and through the dynamic between love and fear, compassion and resentment.
How we as caregiver don't want to become negative like our parent. How
it is to love someone and hate to see them making choices that bring them
pain. I would like to bring many people to see it. It made me
laugh and cry and touched me. (For me, physical pain and depression and
post-traumatic stress disorder all conspired to render me stuck.) That
scene about getting the mother to wear the diaper. How he strove for
humour, lightness, quality of life. It was a wonderful piece on so many
levels. I
was too moved and astonished and raw after the curtain to stay but I want you
to know how good and necessary you are.
- Robin Haggerty, C.A.L.M. |
"Absolutely awesome ... ruthless
love ... VERY insightful" -
Cynthia Croker (2nd viewing), Motus O |
All of you
are showing the way to new ways of being. | |
The students were very moved by your innovative creativity. ... Having experienced both the role of care giver and recipient during
illness, I was very moved by your honest portrayals and the unique approach you have taken to these issues.
- Teresa D'Elia, Gerontology Dept, Simon Fraser University | |
I was captivated, moved and impressed by both the authenticity and the
artfulness, as was the rest of the audience. "Heal Thyself" challenges and
encourages. | |
AWESOME - I am in awe - Everyone should see this show. It is both shockingly honest and shockingly encouraging. - Kim Bowman, Smiths Medical |
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