Piece Comment

Review of RN Documentary: An Ode to Health and Ignorance


This well produced Radio Netherlands produced documentary is simultaneously one person?s intimate journey dealing with a chronic illness as well as an examination of lyme disease from the perspective of both the medical profession and patients. Because lyme disease is a recently diagnosed illness and many of the voices in the piece have been chronic sufferers, overcoming the medical complications, the lack of sufficient information and the misperceptions about the disease have been challenging. Chris Chambers, the producer and narrator, presents his own experience with the disease through personal reflection, music and poetry. Although the multi-layered sound combined with the effects gives life to the isolation of Chambers? illness, it can be a bit startling to transition from an interview on medical issues to poetry. Lyme disease is a serious health concern in many communities and this feature would help to both dispel myths about the illness and provide a valuable public service.