Searching for self in a world of labels

Abstract

Searching for Self is a performance poetry piece that demonstrates the difficulties of identity construction in contemporary life. The author challenges the ‘self’ and ‘other’ dichotomy, and in so doing she attempts to reduce the distance between the ‘client’ and ‘expert’; the researcher and researched; the service provider and service user; and theory and practice. The poems are linked to the authors’ experiences of being labeled with a disability.

Keywords:

• disability
• migration
• self
• identity
• health
• PTSD

Acknowledgments

Bharati Sethi is a recipient of Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Tutor Primary Health Care Fellowship and Ontario Women’s Health Scholarship. She acknowledges the moral and intellectual support of her supervisors Dr Susan Cadell and Dr Nancy Freymond in her PhD journey. She is also grateful to Rose Corby, Carla Nardone, Dr Martha Kuwee Kumsa, Jean Becker, Dr Angela Ross and Dr Emilia Olejarova for believing in her. The author thanks Professor Alan Roulstone for his valuable feedback on the article.