Through ‘In bed I cut words’ I travelled deep inside my existence as well as into the wide world beyond. This blog turned into a kind of a travel log, sharing the beauty I experienced along the way, the people I met, as well as the challenges encountered.
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| Elizabeth / Jane / Pascale / Corina / Caroline (with the camera) In the elevator after the launch on the way to my Treehouse. |
As you (probably) know October 2024 saw the arrival of the limited edition (200) hardcover books of In bed I cut words which I wrote about in this blog post. This book - this work of art - was created during a six month collaboration with David Murphy at Red Heaven Design a year after the last collage was made.
The book has been an incredible journey, and I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who came along with me on that journey, to those who read my book, ordered more copies, send me messages, emails, cards, letters, gifts, art, chocolate, shared thoughtful comments and wrote reviews, and generously donated to Waterford Healing Arts, as was my request.
Your kindness, encouragement, and connection touched my heart with such deep gratitude.
My work has flown and continues to fly beyond the confines of my nursing home room to all corners of the world. Into minds and hearts of many and into unknown places. It is truly extraordinary to lie here in bed and know all this. Through it all I understand my own work in a new light.
“… More than a beautiful book, In bed I cut words asks difficult questions. What does “home” mean when it’s no longer a place of your choosing? What happens to the creative impulse in institutional settings? And how can society better support artists – and people – in navigating such profound change?”
Katherine Collins, Creative Waterford Coordinator
The printing of (500) paperback books, published in April 2025, was the result of the unwavering belief in my work by a private benefactor and Creative Waterford.
Irish Hospice Foundation Arts and Cultural Engagement team kindly took on the distribution.
The places and people the book (and I) travelled to:
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| At Crinniú na Ceirde - Gathering Craft RDS The importance of the creative conversation |
Irish Hospice Foundation and their Caru Program: Supporting Care & Compassion at End of Life in Nursing Homes
Palliative Care Centres / Nursing-homes and other care centres /Hospices
Art centres and offices / Arts Council / Arts & Health practitioners and organisations
Age & Opportunity / Creative Brain Week / Crinniú na Ceirde-Gathering Craft /Art Book Fair
College of Surgeons / Universities / Researchers /Unheard Voices Project /HSE and Advocates
Dept of Tourism, Culture, Arts / National Library/ National Museum/ IMMA
Libraries around Ireland / Creative Ireland / National Archives /Journalists
And to many, many individuals and organisations in Ireland, UK/Scotland, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Australia, Canada, Chile, Romania, USA.
Being Proud - is an understatement.
And… I am excited to share that In bed I cut words has been long-listed for the Carousel Aware Prize for Independent Authors, under Anthologies. It’s an incredible honour to be recognised alongside such talented authors. (20-6-25)
“In bed I cut words is a testament to Corina’s refusal to be silenced by circumstance.”
Creative Waterford
The launch
At the imminent arrival of the reprint the director of nursing here suggested: ‘will we have a launch this time?’
‘I’ll think about it…’
When I mentioned this to the Irish Hospice Foundation team they suggested ‘maybe… if I was up for it… to do it on Arts in Nursing Homes Day?’
It seemed like an appropriate day. And so, it came to be:
Corina Duyn Launches Paperback Edition of In Bed I Cut Words on Arts in Nursing Homes Day
The launch was attended by Irish Hospice Foundation’s Elizabeth Hutcheson, Regional Caru Lead Janet Tobin Martin, Artist Caroline Schofield, Assistant Director Rèalta/Waterford Healing Arts Maeve Butler, Creative Waterford Coordinator Katherine Collins, Director Rebecca Ellickson, some nurses, carers, both activity coordinators, management, and my friends Pascale and Jane, as well as several residents and their family members.
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Janet Tobin Martin Caru Regional Lead; Elizabeth Hutcheson Arts Producer Irish Hospice Foundation; Maeve Butler Assistant Director, Rèalta/Waterford Healing Arts; Corina Duyn Artist and Author; Rebecca Ellickson Director of Nursing Signacare; Shirley Molloy Activities Lead Signacare; Katherine Collins Creative Waterford Coordinator Waterford Council. |
It was a beautiful, heartfelt event. Albeit I personally found it quite overwhelming at the start, especially being among so many people talking. But I embraced the moment, met the wonderful guests, and listened to the speakers. It was when we aired my video The Importance of the Creative Conversation , that the reality of what my life is really like became very clear. It made me rather emotional…
Janet Tobin Martin who is Regional Caru Lead reflected: “On Friday, 16 May, I had the absolute privilege to attend the beautiful and moving launch of the paperback edition of 'In bed I cut words' by the incredible artist and writer Corina Duyn at SignaCare Waterford …
Corina's book is a powerful and deeply personal reflection on her 26-year journey with ME, and her transition to full-time care at the age of 59. Through her evocative collages, poetry, prose, and contributions from artists, poets, and healthcare professionals, Corina shares a message of resilience, creativity, and grace … this project beautifully embodies the spirit of compassion, creativity, and community care.”
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| Collage made by Corina for the event. |
I had requested that the focus of the event be the Arts, as it was Arts in Nursing Homes Day. And an event without music. For me it was about the conversation which happens when busy with our hands. I had cut some words and phrases and made a sample collage in advance.
Collages were made and conversations happened. That made me proud.
Starting to feel unwell I was brought to the garden for some air. There we had, what looks like, a serious conversation. Or maybe it is simply that speaking at that point is costing a lot of energy. But happy to continue the creative conversation!
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| In conversation with Katherine, Elizabeth, and Caroline |
It took courage.
“…The strength and clarity of Corina’s artistic voice is inspiring on its own – but when considered in the context of her many challenges, it’s clear that Corina is a true artist: she quite simply must make art in order to survive.”
Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts
The broken clock
The other side of this wonderful event, accomplishment, joy, pride, and love is that my body was not able to handle it all. Also a few days before the launch, I had a day long journey to a hospital in another city. Travelling fully reclined in my wheelchair in the CIL wheelchair van, I got there one breath, one kilometre at a time, had the medical investigation, and traveled back one breath, one kilometre at a time. A pure lesson in mindfulness. Never been so happy to see my bed.
Straight after the book launch, I went to bed and sat propped up in bed for family visits some days later. I managed these lovely meaningful visits by being fully present, and then going straight back in to bed. Often with the curtains closed. Silence. Remembering the conversations. The memories of times past, of time present.
During the weeks that followed I was probably in a permanent ‘crash’ state. Post Exertional Neuroimmune Exhaustion (PENE) or Post Exertional Malaise (PEM) are the official terms. Being very unwell. My abilities, mobility, swallowing, digestive system and sensitivities negatively affected. At the same time I marvel and smile at where my work is being seen, read, and shared.
Unfortunately I also experienced several episodes of full as well as partial paralysis. All accompanied by severe pain with speech affected, however I can see and hear. Each episode lasted up to four hours and required at least a day of recovery. I also had a very difficult-to-diagnose infection which probably aided the physical decline.
During one paralysis episode I tried to put a visual on the experience. I am an artist to the core. I came up with and tried to convey to my PA who witnessed one of the episodes, the image of the broken clock I made during the shadow puppetry times.
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| ‘Broken clock’ One of the images from ‘Invisible Octopus’ |
It is as if my body, or brain is like a clock and suddenly the springs and all the inner parts jump out. With a bang. I witness it. I feel it. I endure it. Knowing it will eventually pass. That ‘something’ will pull me through.
However, being so ill so frequently in a short spell of time really made me think that despite all the wonderful things that happened I had done permanent damage to my health. That I had entered a new even more severe phase of ME.
However six weeks later I can think more clearly again. And wrote this post over several days in short segments like making a piece of art, in a way removed from reality. Adding, chiselling, correcting…Until the reality ‘hits me’ hard.
Some days I am up and kind of dressed (with help), balanced with days of full rest. I can look ahead again. Sit in my recliner by the window instead of being flat in bed. I see the birds. And properly connect with friends and family, to be a little part of their lives again. Thanking them for being part of mine.
The re-emerging into life reminded me of an article in my invisible octopus puppetry series: I come back like the Phoenix - I rise, somewhat battered, from the ashes.
ME remains a curious illness
I hope that through my art and writing over the many years of illness and most recently with the exhibition I brought the dream of flying and the book In bed I cut words, I have brought snippets of understanding to this so often disbelieved illness. And contributed to the conversation about care.
ME is a curious horrible difficult illness to comprehend and manage. As well as much needed eduction (!), Art, I think is a powerful way to portray this life, as demonstrated in the Bring ME out of the shadows online art exhibition curated by ME Advocates Ireland. I am honoured to have my work, including the book, featured in this amazing array of works and stories.
If you would like to be part of my book-journey
If you are interested to have a In bed I cut words book of your own please contact Elizabeth or Corina for copies. Donations to Irish Hospice Foundation or Waterford Healing Arts are greatly appreciated. See my website page for further details.
Thank you
for being here
with me
With those of us
living with ME,
With those of us
living with chronic illness.
With those of us
living in care,
for whatever reason.
Be well
Corina
July 2025
Book launch articles in full
Creative Waterford
Caru
Waterford News and Star
Waterford Council
Website
https://www.corinaduyn.com/site/
ME Information
http://meadvocatesireland.blogspot.com/
