Cathren is a community collaborative artist who has been working with the Community Libraries of Providence and other non-profits since 2012, developing arts and literacy programs and creating public art installations. She has been an artist in residence at Hattie Ide Chaffee Home since 2023, implementing visual arts and health programs with seniors and dementia patients. Website: ArtHouseRI.com
It just was announced that a second child has died this year in RI from flu complications. At least three have died in Massachusetts and many other deaths are being reported across the country. In related news, there have been measles outbreaks in Washington State, New York and Texas, with additional cases reported in Oregon, Connecticut, […]
The current exhibit at the URI campus includes, “Civil Rights Are Human Rights: Icons of the Civil Rights Movement,” which is a contrast in approach and focus. Pamela Chatterton-Purdy’s iconic memorials reflect a solemn reverence for those whose lives were impacted, and too often ended, by our country’s civil rights struggle. Jordan Seaberry’s gritty street […]
The US currently ranks highest in healthcare spending among the world’s developed nations. Our average cost per capita is $10,029 a year. What can we do to get our overall costs down? Practice better self-care. But self-care is more than just diet and exercise. The pressures, expectations and anxiety in our lives can make us […]
Dear C & Dr. B, When my daughter turned 15 and started high school there was an immediate and total change in her and in the dynamic of her relationship with us, her parents. She went from being our daughter, who liked to run things by us, ask our opinions and spend time with us, to being […]
It is becoming an ever more prevalent litany: “The pharmacy won’t fill my prescription; they say the one that you gave me is wrong.” What is frustrating is that yesterday, the prescription might have been filled. Today, the insurance company no longer covers that brand. This Game of Groans is hitting those with diabetes hard, […]
Dear C and Dr. B; My 12-year-old son is in 8th grade. Yesterday he received a online photo of a naked girl from one of his classmates. We were alerted to it because of his sheepish ad embarrassed behavior. He did show us when asked what was up. The question is, what should I do? […]
I was browsing Facebook when an ad caught my eye: “Crohn’s Study – Diagnosed Volunteers Needed.” Crohn’s Disease is incurable, and it can make a patient’s life a living hell. I have it. I was intrigued, so I clicked on the link. The link took me to the trialsworld.com site, which is a patchwork quilt […]
My sister recently came for a brief visit over Christmas. She is mentally ill, some times more in control than others. This year, she was so difficult I had a hard time being in the same room with her. She always had to have her own way or she yelled. She kept following me around […]
What does your doctor do when he or she is sick? Surprisingly, when it comes to their own health, doctors face many of the same struggles their patients do. You would think that because they are acting members of the medical establishment they would have easy access to health insurance, but they don’t. Some might […]
Dear C and Dr. B; It’s the holidays and at our house, it’s a bit of a bipolar affair. My dad is Jewish and my mom Catholic, which makes us a Chrismukkah or Festivus kind of family. My dad says both ways are derivative of winter solstice. But I know that Hanukkah deals with freedom […]