If there is one thing that society avoids discussing, it's the topic of death, especially the death of children. In the Op Doc Dying In Your Mother's Arms Dr. Nadia Tremonti, a palliative care physician, who specializes in the death of infants talks about dying in a new light. Dealing with children who are approaching their last few days is no doubt a difficult job, but she brings comfort to families, and provides new ways to look at things differently. She spends a large amount of her time working with parents, and helping them with grief. She does not hide the truth, but delivers news in a sympathetic way. She explains to the parents that her job is to make sure that their child's time on Earth is as meaningful as possible. The documentary follows along Dr. Tremonti and her patients. While watching what the parents of these children go through, is heartbreaking, Dr. Tremonti's explanation of death helps to look at things from a different perspective. She said that she often gets asked how she would want to die, because of the fact she deals with death as a living. She responded that she would want to die as a baby, because when you die as an infant, you die in your mothers arms, surrounded by unconditional love. I was shocked to hear this. But, after replaying the quote over and over, it made sense. By including this quote she helps to comfort those who are going through loss. Watching this documentary opened up a new way of looking at things. I recommend watching the video to have new insight, but be prepared to be brought on an emotional rollercoaster.
In the Op Doc A Conversation With Black Women On Race several black women discuss their experience with racism. Each woman provides their own unique experiences and give valuable insight into the struggles black women face. One woman shares an experience about being unjustly questioned while in a hotel lobby. She explains that when she was waiting in the lobby of a hotel, security guards came up to ask her questions about if she was a guest and what her room number was, while her white friends were not receiving the same treatment. Another woman shared a story of when she was a young girl in a chorus concert, and all of the white girls were getting their hair curled, and she wasn't allowed to because her hair was not the same. Each of these experience provide information into the struggles that black women face. It is important to recognize these struggles, so as individuals, and a society we know how to proceed. I recommend watching the video to gain new insight and to learn how to be a better ally.
I love your choice of Op-Docs, especially the first one regarding the death of young children. It's very unfortunate people have to experience that grief, however Dr. Nadia Tremonti puts it into a beautiful perspective. She does so because, like you said, she tries to make the child's time on earth as meaningful as possible. Her perspective on the topic is truly inspiring to me, despite working in such a melancholic field. This was a pleasure to read!
ReplyDeleteI loved this explanation! I was hooked by the title and photo, and while I didn’t watch these ones myself, I felt like I did. The topic of child death is very sad, but you showed how it can be taken into a different perspective and how the doctor tries to comfort the families. I also liked how both op docs you chose were very different, but you still wrote a great piece that incorporates both.
ReplyDeleteNice blog post, Riley! Thank you for giving detailed explanations about both Op-Docs, it was very easy to understand what they were about. I love the first line explaining that society avoids speaking on the topic of death because as I continued reading I naturally became uncomfortable and unsettled by the subject matter. The second Op-Doc is also a topic that is being discussed more and more in the media and a conversation that I feel is extremely important. You stated that the documentary would provide great insight on how to be a better ally, and I thought that was great.
ReplyDeleteYour title had me hooked right away Riley! I was shocked about the Op-Doc, Dying in Your Mother's Arms. I couldn't imagine having a job like that but it is somewhat comforting to see that she brings light to a heartbreaking situation. She seems like a very inspiring person who helps many others. I like how you chose one Op-Doc on a fairly unfamiliar topic for many, being a doctor specializing in infant mortality, and one that is spoken about a lot today, racial injustices in America. You wrote about both very well, great post!
ReplyDeleteWell said! You did a great job of opening up your post with a hook and conveying your ideas in an organized and insightful way. I like the Op-Docs that you chose, because they both send an important message about perspective. That being said, the first video stood out to me the most, because of how it opens up a discussion about death and sheds light onto a career that is not often talked about. Additionally, the second Op-Doc starts an important conversation about racial inequality, and that is a topic that is very relevant to today. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteVery well written! The title of your blog post grabbed my attention right away. Both op-docs you wrote about had very powerful messages and you gave a great explanation! I also chose the op-doc A Conversation With Black Women On Race and it was very eye-opening. I loved how you added that this op-doc can help make you a better ally and I completely agree.
ReplyDeleteAmazing blogpost! I also watched A Conversation With Black Women on Race and also believe that others should watch the video to gain a better understanding for others and educate themselves. I have not watched the first op-doc, but after your reflection I think I will have to watch it to gain a better insight on the unfortunate struggles healthcare workers have to make.
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