Healing Through Role Playing

Rare disease patients and their families learned about their inner selves and released their emotions by performing what they experienced at some moments in life in a drama program in central Taiwan.

Six patients and eight family members showcased what they have learned from the program in the final presentation after taking part in the program on every Wednesday afternoon from September 14 to November 16.

During the first part of the presentation, the program members staged 11 short dramas to show how they reacted at different ages when studying for tests in school, falling in love despite parental objections, failing to saying goodbye before mother’s death, or suffering from illness.

Under the drama teacher's guidance, these members managed to explore their feelings at those moments before learning to appreciate and accept the past.

During the second part of the presentation, the family members role played their previous uncomfortable experiences as the teacher encouraged them to speak out their feelings.

As they went through the process of healing, the program members were able to watch how each other handled their emotions.

After the performance, each member felt that their suppressed emotions were released and that their regrets were resolved in such a special mental therapy experience.

Translator: Anna Yeh (MS), Reviewer: Alex Chiang