Art and yarning for healing in the FSH ICU
Athol and Alea with his Moordi Pa artworks at the ICU Reconciliation Week staff morning tea fundraiser
'Moordi Pa' artist and Noongar man Athol Farmer displayed his artwork to Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff after he received culturally safe care from FSH ICU Registered Nurse, Researcher and Noongar woman Alea Mclean following his triple bypass surgery.
A survivor of the Stolen Generation, Athol has used visual art as a medium to retain his culture and as a form of healing since childhood.
During National Reconciliation Week, Athol displayed his artwork in the ICU staffroom who prepared a morning tea to fundraise to purchase one of his works for the Unit.
Athol found a culturally safe space to heal from his recent triple bypass surgery operation when he met FSH's ICU Alea Mclean.
"Alea came to have a yarn after my surgery, and it was comforting to have her friendly face and one of my mob here with me after the experience," Athol said.
In between working as an ICU Nurse, Alea is conducting research into the Aboriginal patient experience in the ICU and is using Indigenous research methods to do so.
"So often research is done on Aboriginal people without the integration of our worldview," Alea said.
"My research uses yarning and storytelling to really understand the patient experience for Aboriginal people."
Alea will be continuing her research over the next two years and plans to educate other staff on her findings to further improve culturally safe care for our patients.
As for the future, Athol is grateful for his heart, the painting he continues to use a healing outlet, and is also looking to playing more golf and spending time with his seven grandkids.
"Creating a culturally safe space for mob who have to attend hospital is important, thank you to Alea," Athol said.
