Reclaiming Self

Abstract

In this article I use performance poetry pieces to reflect upon my experiences of living with a disability as a person of color, a woman, and an immigrant. It is my firm contention that, although listening to the stories of the clients we meet on our journeys is integral to creating individual and structural changes and raising awareness of mental health issues, as social workers it is just as important to share our own personal and collective stories of mental health, stigma, and recovery. As helpers and change makers, it is unlikely that we can influence mental health policy purely from behind the wall of positivism. Stories of clients as well as stories of our lived experiences are critical to challenging the strong divide that characterizes the social work academy: the us/them, service provider/service user, and the expert/client. Furthermore, my hope is that this article will add to the literature concerning the traumas experienced by immigrant women in their private domains.

Keywords:

• mental health
• trauma
• incest
• PTSD
• immigrant
• woman

Acknowledgments

I thank Dr. Angela Ross, Dr. Emilia Olejarova, Dr. Kristin Trotter, Sue Turner, Gwen Page, Jean Becker, Carla Nardone, Eve Roknic, and Rose Corby for their support in my journey. I am grateful to Dr. Susan Cadell for her feedback on the article and for supporting my work.