Description
Book Synopsis:
A graphic memoir and adapted oral history of Unit 371, an inpatient AIDS care hospital unit in Chicago that was in existence from 1985 to 2000. Examines the human costs of caregiving and the role art can play in the grieving process. In 1994, at the height of the AIDS epidemic in the United States, MK Czerwiec took her first nursing job, at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, as part of the caregiving staff of HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371. Taking Turns pulls back the curtain on life in the ward.
A shining example of excellence in the treatment and care of patients, Unit 371 was a community for thousands of patients and families affected by HIV and AIDS and the people who cared for them. This graphic novel combines Czerwiec's memories with the oral histories of patients, family members, and staff. It depicts life and death in the ward, the ways the unit affected and informed those who passed through it, and how many look back on their time there today. Czerwiec joined Unit 371 at a pivotal time in the history of AIDS: deaths from the syndrome in the Midwest peaked in 1995 and then dropped drastically in the following years, with the release of antiretroviral protease inhibitors. This positive turn of events led to a decline in patient populations and, ultimately, to the closure of Unit 371. Czerwiec's restrained, inviting drawing style and carefully considered narrative examine individual, institutional, and community responses to the AIDS epidemic―as well as the role that art can play in the grieving process.
Deeply personal yet made up of many voices, this history of daily life in a unique AIDS care unit is an open, honest look at suffering, grief, and hope among a community of medical professionals and patients at the heart of the epidemic.
Details
Experience the poignant and powerful stories of Unit 371, an inpatient AIDS care hospital unit in Chicago, through the beautifully crafted graphic memoir, Taking Turns: Stories from HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371. Within the pages of this extraordinary book, MK Czerwiec combines her own memories with the oral histories of patients, family members, and staff, offering a unique and compelling perspective on one of the most devastating periods in healthcare history.
Step into the world of Unit 371, a shining example of excellence in patient care, where thousands of individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS found solace and support. Taking Turns pulls back the curtain on life in the ward, allowing you to understand the human costs of caregiving and the profound impact that art can have on the grieving process. Through Czerwiec's restrained yet inviting drawing style and carefully considered narrative, you will be immersed in the stories of resilience, hope, and compassion that unfolded within the walls of Unit 371.
Join MK Czerwiec on a journey through a pivotal time in the history of the AIDS epidemic in the United States. As a member of the caregiving staff at Unit 371, she witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of the disease, as well as the extraordinary efforts taken to provide exceptional treatment and care. As deaths from AIDS peaked in the Midwest and then declined with the introduction of antiretroviral protease inhibitors, Czerwiec's evocative storytelling captures the emotional rollercoaster experienced by both patients and medical professionals.
Don't miss the opportunity to delve into this deeply personal and profoundly moving account of life and death in a unique AIDS care unit. Through the lens of Unit 371, Taking Turns explores the individual, institutional, and community responses to the AIDS epidemic, offering a captivating and honest portrayal of suffering, grief, and ultimately, hope. Order your copy of this remarkable graphic memoir today and discover the power of art in healing.
Get your copy of Taking Turns: Stories from HIV/AIDS Care Unit 371
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