Rajen Nair, a freelance photojournalist and writer, teaches skills of photography to children with cancer to bring hope, optimism and laughter in their lives.
How long have you been a photographer?
I became a photographer by default in the year 2004, after I lost my hearing in the right ear and later developed tinnitus due to botched ear surgery. I had no option but to wind up my business. To earn a living, I studied journalism, as writing was my passion, and learnt photography later to…
Stories
Mukesh’s love for his college sweetheart, Shachi, remained resolute even after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Here is a Valentine’s Day story to warm your heart. It was in 2001 that I first saw her. She walked into my tutorial class and it was love at first sight for me. I know most people say love at first sight is just an infatuation, but I felt an instant romantic attraction for her. It could be an infatuation, or young adult crush…I don’t know. All I knew was that my head was…
Nearly two thirds of patients with cancer will undergo radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. There are a variety of common side effects associated with radiation therapy. Read about prevention and management of radiation side effects excerpted from a booklet of Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA). Radiation Treatment Radiation therapy is an extremely important treatment option in the management of cancer. In the last two decades spectacular progress in technology has led to…
Geetha Paniker, a survivor of triple negative cancer with double mastectomy, shortlists 3 books on cancer that had a great impact on her. When you're dealing with cancer, a daily dose of inspiration may make a big difference in the outlook on life. Keeping a positive outlook is proven to help with stress management, but when someone says to "think positive" or "be optimistic" during a traumatic phase of any disease, it can be much easier said than done. Knowing cancer isn't all rainbows and…
Susmita Mitra, Director - Special Projects at Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA), underlines the concerns and worries of cancer patients and emphasizes the importance of Psycho Oncology, a comparatively recent addition in cancer care, to build a positive frame of mind, ease trauma and facilitate recovery. It is well recognized that compared to any other disease, a diagnosis of cancer results in immense trauma to the patient on one hand, and his family members on the other, as they grapple…
The Choir of the Loaves and Fish, a musical ensemble of senior citizens, started by Pervin Varma with Regina Thomas in Bengaluru has been immensely therapeutic for the elderly and has helped bring loads of warmth and sunshine into their lives. Picture above: Ammachy taking a bow with Pervin Varma Imagine a group of people – all senior citizens between 65 and 96 – people who have suffered strokes or are living with cancer, arthritis, heart disease, dementia, physical disabilities, people with…
Worldwide, medical hypnosis is being increasingly accepted to ease acute and chronic pain arising from burns, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis and reduction of anxiety associated with surgery. What is hypnosis? Hypnosis is a state of increased suggestibility with constriction of peripheral awareness and increased focal concentration on task at hand. Heightened suggestibility is an essential characteristic in hypnosis. Hypnosis is like a meditative technique that encourages inner search and the…
Restoring self-esteem and self-worth is what Dance Movement Therapy by Renelle Snelleksz has successfully achieved for a cross section of people like people with Parkinson’s Disease or those with a history of physical abuse and even children who have survived cancer but are deeply scarred. What is Dance Movement Therapy? How is it different from learning Dance? Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) is very different from technique-based dance in that it creates a safe and non-judgemental space for…
A father-daughter duo recalls their personal trauma over the tragedy of losing their closest person to terminal cancer and struggling to help her cope with the pain. A case for respecting end of life choices of a patient and access to Palliative Care. THE HUSBAND SPEAKS... Jayanta Sinha She is my wife, my child’s mother – the most beloved one – who passed away at the age of 49 years after a painful journey of seven long months. Smriti Kana was always a good student and aspired to be a…
Madam Soh Chin Hong, 47, fought the good fight against cancer with her husband by her side, until the end. HCA Hospice Care, Singapore shares this heartbreakingly beautiful story of a loving couple. “She was very loving, a very righteous and passionate person”, said her husband and caregiver, Mr Eric Yeo, 47. The loving couple, who have been married for 20 years, first met while they were studying in NAFA School of the Arts. Eric reminisces fondly, “She didn’t like me at the beginning…
