Thank you to Dr Amanda Penny who works as Cosmetic Doctor at PHI Clinic in Twickenham, Harley St, Maidenhead, a non surgical cosmetic clinic, for this truly wonderful review.
This is why I write.
I recently came across the poem ‘You are golden’ by Ruth Holroyd of Whatallergy
It really resonated with me. On a daily basis I see how my patients, with or without dermatological pathology, are affected day-to-day by their skin, its flaws and imperfections, societal perceptions and expectations.
I aim to help patients achieve better confidence in their own skin but it is a delicate balance – to treat while maintaining a natural result; to refresh a person’s appearance while encouraging them to love their wonderful skin for all that it does, imperfections and all.
Ruth’s book, ‘The Shape of Skin’ is “a journey from childhood and the early lessons of eczema kids learn through the pain and anger of a life limiting condition. Finally finding acceptance, healing and love.”
The book is dedicated to everyone living with eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and any other inflammatory, itchy skin condition. However, I would also encourage anyone working with skin, from dermatologist to make-up artist, to read this beautiful collection of poems.
For medics in particular, it gives insight into the ways in which we can, often unwittingly, be part of the problem, especially when we don’t take a holistic view of the person we are trying to help, rather than just the condition we are trying to treat or control.
Thank you @whatallergy for sharing your collection on poems and good luck with your next book! #theshapeofskin #eczema #psoriasis #atopicdermatitis #tsw #troubledskin #aesthetics #dermatology
WOW! What a wonderful review. Thank you so much Amanda.
It reminds me of a blog I wrote called ‘Anxiety and itching’, which explores how my skin makes me feel and how much stress plays a part in that cycle of itching and anxiety.
My aim is to get this book of poems for people with skin conditions in front of more dermatologists and people with eczema. Please forward this blog to any skin doctors, dermatologist of people with eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis or topical steroid withdrawal that would be amazing.
Writing these poems and generally expressing myself through poetry is so therapeutic. It somehow gets to the root of a problem or situation in a way speaking out loud or just reading about it can’t achieve. Poetry can be powerful, moving and emotional and that’s what I’ve aimed to achieve with this book. It’s a love story to my skin which I’ve learned to love over the years, despite its current state of healing and deterioration due to topical steroid withdrawal.
If you want to see some sample poems, read further reviews and find out more about The Shape of Skin use the button below:
Or you can Buy The Shape of Skin on Amazon here.
Have you read it yet? Do you find poetry helps you to heal things, feel things, express things? I’d love to chat poetry!
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