I read 'The Cancer Journals' by Audre Lorde earlier in the week and, though she was talking about the individual experience of having breast cancer, her words about how sudden illness impacts all facets of yourself stood out. She describes 'the agony of an involuntary reorganisation of my entire life' following a negative diagnosis. This resonated very much in terms of how many people lost out with lockdown. However, she also says: 'But within those three weeks, I was forced to look upon myself and my living with a harsh and urgent clarity that has left me shaken but still stronger'. I hope this will apply as we recover from Covid-19.
August 4, 2020
my disabled brother sent me this about a month ago, in a good mood then. Tomorrow I go see him for this first time since a very difficult visit 9 months ago. Hoping against hope his mood is improved. He has 3 co-occurring mental illnesses, and the past year and a half have been an absolute struggle.
November 12, 2022