Sick

I watched this documentary about Bob Flanagan about ten years ago, but The Partner had never seen it, so this afternoon we headed out and got our hands on a copy from Le Video. The whole experience of the film, for me, has been totally recontexualized. What's different now than then? I now believe it should be requisite viewing for all nursing students. Not into S&M? Can't really deal with someone driving a nail through his penis? Tough. Sit through this movie if you want to know what it is like to have a chronic illness and if you want to know what it's like to die. As a nurse or future nurse, it's important. Allied with some of Flanagan's pain journals, it can really provide a window. We just have to be willing to peer through it.

As for my mom, who I think reads this blog from time to time, you definitely don't need to see it.