Video of "Life in Unraveling" event is now available
Readings from Hanna’s new book, Bedsores and Bliss. A gathering of guest writers whose work and voices made a fabric, woven with Hanna’s invitation. Thanks to everyone who gave so freely and creatively to the prompt and the occasion.
Video of the event is available through the button below, along with details of Hanna’s prompting questions and biographies of the guest authors and poets.
Video: Life in Unraveling
For a clickable list that lets you jump to any part of the program, click the “Watch on YouTube” button, then click “more” in the description below the video and scroll down.
An Evening of Joyful Unsettling Voices
Hanna du Plessis is Okay Then’s first featured voice. She used to facilitate social change and taught “Design for Social Innovation” at Carnegie Mellon University and the School of Visual Arts. Now she writes while dying of ALS. Publications include her first book, Bedsores and Bliss, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, “Song of Ourself, Voices in Unison,” and the Carlow University Creative Writing MFA 20th Anniversary Anthology.
Veronica Corpuz is an interdisciplinary poet who explores themes of her Filipino-American identity and family, as well as grief and loss in her work. She is a member of the #notwhite collective and Madwomen in the Attic program at Carlow University.
I Medina Jackson is a community educator, mother, poet, spoken word and Hip Hop artist with over a decade of non-profit sector leadership and management experience within the field of education. She is the co-facilitator for the Black Transformative Arts Network, and Director of Engagement at Pitt’s P.R.I.D.E. Program (Positive Racial Identity Development in Early Education).
Joy Katz’s poems and essays document race inside and around her transracial family. As part of If You Really Love Me, a multidisciplinary artist collective, her most recent project was live music for wage workers. She teaches poetry and nonfiction for Madwomen in the Attic and other programs across the country and eats a lot of licorice.
Adriana E. Ramírez’ nonfiction novella, Dead Boys, won the 2015 PEN/Fusion Emerging Writers Prize. In 2019 she was awarded the Carol R. Brown Creative Achievement Award for an Established Artist by the Pittsburgh Foundation and the Heinz Endowments. She is a poet, critic, essayist, and columnist. Her forthcoming nonfiction book is titled The Violence.
Dakota Rottino-Garilli has a wealth of experience in youth advocacy, education, and therapeutic support. She is a licensed social worker who has worked with challenges related to mental health, systemic inequities, and community empowerment. She serves as the Post-Secondary Support Program Manager at ARYSE Pittsburgh.
Cedric Rudolph is a poet from Alabama, a student of poetry and pedagogy, and a teacher of writing in many different settings. Among them: two years teaching creative writing at the Allegheny County Jail and a semester at the State Correctional Institute-Pittsburgh. Cedric recently placed third in Eavesdrop Magazine’s Queer Joy Contest.
Teddi Salsgiver is a neuroqueer poet and current MFA student at Carlow University, where she completed her undergrad in Creative Writing and American Labor History. She has been a member of the Madwomen in the Attic Writing Workshops since 2013.. She shares her life in Pittsburgh with two partners and two puppies.
The event: Questions from the teetering balance between devastation and joy
What keeps us going when parts or all of us, things we love, those we love, are terminal?
How might we support each other as we lose what’s precious?
This all got started because of Hanna du Plessis.
She just published a book called Bedsores and Bliss: Finding fullness of life with a terminal diagnosis.
She says,...
Hanna has ALS, a progressive terminal disease.
So she’s dying,
and at the same time she is LIVING.
“This little book is about journey. How do we keep walking and finding our way
when the road ahead must pass through difficulty?
This question feels relevant to where we are globally. As things we once depended on unravel, die or disappear, when we are hurting, How do we keep going?”
We had this event to celebrate Hanna’s book. We asked Hanna, “What’s the heart of this? What is your invitation to the guest authors?” She said,
“What are our sources of life amidst the forces—systemic, environmental or other—that have made it so that some of us are at risk of dying sooner? Be it because of systemic racism, exposure to environmental toxins, police brutality, systemic neglect and poverty, immigration, queerness… things that are intrinsic to us but not handled with enough care for us to thrive.”
“Dear one, I’m so curious about what it is like for you. How are you living? What keeps you going? How might we support each other as we lose what’s precious?”
Bedsores and Bliss! Print and eBook!
IT’S HERE!
You can learn more and read excerpts in the full description of Hanna’s book.
How to buy Bedsores and Bliss in the US
If you live in the US, you can purchase the book using the button above. It’s also listed on bookshops.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most other book sites. But we like it when you buy it directly from us. 🙂
Elsewhere (like South Africa)
If you live outside the US, we recommend ordering through Amazon or your other favorite book-buying site that ships to your country. Amazon recently launched amazon.co.za, but so far Hanna’s books are not listed there. (We don’t know why!) But amazon.co.uk carries both Bedsores and Bliss and Boppa’s Bald Stories and does ship to South Africa.
Save the date: Reading and launch event December 9
We’ll post more details soon, but here’s our first notice:
Monday, December 9
6:30 to 8:00pm US Eastern time
Bedsores and Bliss launch event, with readings by Hanna and a wonderful group of guest authors
City of Asylum, Pittsburgh
The event will be broadcast via livestream and recorded. More details soon!
Bedsores and Bliss! Print and eBook!
Bedsores and Bliss is now available for purchase
You can learn more about the book and read excerpts in our full description of Hanna’s book. We promised to let you know when it went on sale, so… yes! It’s now available.
How to buy Bedsores and Bliss in the US
If you live in the US, you can purchase the book using the button above. It’s also listed on bookshops.com, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most other book sites. But we like it when you buy it directly from us. 🙂
Elsewhere (like South Africa)
If you live outside the US, we recommend ordering through Amazon or your other favorite book-buying site that ships to your country. Amazon recently launched amazon.co.za, but so far Hanna’s books are not listed there. (We don’t know why!) But amazon.co.uk carries both Bedsores and Bliss and Boppa’s Bald Stories and does ship to South Africa.
Save the date—reading and launch event December 9
We’ll post more details soon, but here’s our first notice:
Monday, December 9
6:30 to 8:00pm US Eastern time
Bedsores and Bliss launch event, with readings by Hanna and a wonderful group of guest authors
City of Asylum
Pittsburgh
The event will be broadcast via livestream and recorded. More details soon!
Letters Upstairs: An invitation to loving correspondence (Nov 17)
Beloveds,
On the 17th of every month, we make space to connect and share with Hanna and to celebrate together. This month the invitation is to gather in person and online to write “Letters Upstairs” to people who have already passed on.
Here's the plan for Sunday, November 17
Prepare: 6:00pm South Africa time / 11:00am Pittsburgh time
Meet with friends or family, or settle yourself in a cozy spot with pen and paper. Write a letter.
Gather: 6:30pm South Africa time / 11:30am Pittsburgh time
Gather on Zoom to visit with Hanna and take turns sharing letters. Sharing isn’t required! Just an option and a way to be together.
Here is the Zoom link. No need to register, just show up.
bit.ly/okayzoom
We hope you will find people to gather with in person. Share hugs and treats, and tell stories before and after we Zoom together.
Here are the guidelines from Hanna
“I’m preparing for a journey to a place I’ve never been, but where people I love have gone before. Akie’s brother Chris remembers a brief bright visit to a place he calls “upstairs” after an accident forty years ago. Ever since he has spoken of abundant love for everybody, “My sisters, my brothers, upstairs, downstairs, everybody. Everybody. Love love love.”
“Who are your people who have gone upstairs? May I carry a message to them from you when I go?
“To send a letter upstairs:
– Write a letter on paper. Please use thin, biodegradable paper.
– Make a copy for yourself to keep.
– Fold it up or put it in an envelope addressed to [Your Person], Upstairs, ℅ Hanna.
I- f you don’t want anyone to read it, seal it.. (no stickers or plastic tape – biodegradable only).
– Put it in another envelope and mail it to me, or bring it over in person, or get it to Elsa so she can bring it.
“When it’s time for me to go, whenever that is, your letters will be tucked into pockets in my shroud. It will be a comfort to know your blessings go with me and that your people (some of whom are also my people) will be there to welcome me on the landing.”
How to deliver your letter to Hanna
Address your envelopes according to Hanna’s instructions above. Like this:
If you can’t join us on Saturday the 17th, you can still send a letter. Hanna welcomes them any time between now and her delivery date.
Coming soon from Hanna du Plessis
Sign up to receive (occasional) news about Hanna's books
Hanna's body, mind and heart have roamed courageously, and so does her writing. Her many forms of writing—essays, stories, lists, scenes—are needed to hold the bursting force of life and inquiry she contains. Through the lens of her experience we are invited to consider questions of belonging, becoming, suffering and joy across all scales from the history of nations to the song of a single bird.
Memoir as a collage of scenes, moments, histories and reflections, from apartheid South Africa to a Pittsburgh ALS clinic. Together they make a grand invitation to readers—to deepen our relationships and expand our embrace of life’s griefs and joys.
Working title, not the final cover
Co-published with Madbooks of Carlow University, to whom we are hugely grateful.
In the two years since her diagnosis of ALS, through the progressive loss of her voice and ability to move independently, Hanna has written with rare courage and honesty. This book expands on the Bedsores and Bliss chapbook with remarkable reports from the place where unimaginable loss meets stubborn joy.
Working title, not the final cover
Living End Celebration
Video: Hanna's Living End of Life Celebration
What a profound and memorable day. SO many people came together to celebrate Hanna’s life and voice, and to practice holding grief in community. was attended by 140 people in person, 90 people in Zoom, while another 50 watched the livestream.
Here is the recording of the event (with its variety show format), and links to the program, Hanna’s reading, a photo gallery, and more.
Watch the show
For a clickable list that lets you jump to any part of the program, click the “Watch on YouTube” button, then click “more” in the description below the video and scroll down.
“One of the perks of being on the slow death safari is that you can attend your own funeral. I feel grateful to still be here. I am excited to celebrate the precious time we could spend together, and mourn that I am leaving so soon.” -Hanna
More from the show
Follow Hanna's life and work
Final Details for Hanna's Living End-of-Life Celebration
What you need to know about
Hanna’s Living End-of-Life Celebration
Sunday October 6, 2024
What is this event?
Well essentially, a Living End of Life Celebration is a funeral/memorial service for someone who is aware they’re living their final days/weeks/months. Like Hanna whose respiratory-onset ALS is progressing constantly and is terminal. A living funeral is a unique celebration of life and a chance to say/write/share things that you would usually share AFTER someone passes away.
We’re so lucky that Hanna is still very much ALIVE. In Hanna’s words, “One of the perks of being on the slow death safari is that you can attend your own funeral. I feel grateful to still be here. I am excited to celebrate the precious time we could spend together, and mourn that I am leaving so soon.”
Things to know if you're attending in person
Please take a COVID test the morning of the event
If you are the slightest bit sick with a cold or other illness (especially anything respiratory), please participate virtually. We want to keep Hanna breathing as long as she possibly can and keep her direct care workers well so she has the care she needs.
Wear a mask during the whole event
We’ll have extras available at the event, but perhaps you want to decorate your mask before you arrive. (Variety show participants – it’s ok if you take your mask off during your performance.)
What to wear
Hanna says, “traditional funeral with a twist!” Wear a festive hat or choose one at the door. Mostly, wear anything that you will feel comfortable in.
Food: potluck snacks, not a meal
We’ll have a snack table, and we’ll ask people to eat and drink outdoors. Potluck contributions to the snack table are encouraged and welcome. Don’t expect a full meal!
We’ll have support for big emotions
A few people at the event, mostly therapist folks, will be present to hold space for big emotions.
A place for kids
We’ll have a place and activities for kids (and anyone), staffed throughout the event.
Things for EVERYONE to know
If performing in the variety show is not your thing, there are other ways to send your creativity to Hanna
You are heartily invited to communicate more directly to Hanna—write or draw something before or during the event, bring a photo, a piece of art or a meaningful object, make a video, bring a poem or quote that resonates, anything! Your creativity is welcome.
You can send writings or other media by email to careforce@gmail.com
or you can submitting them by adding them to the Google folder HERE.
(These messages will NOT be shared live the day of the event. We’ll make sure Hanna sees them after.)
Hanna has invited anyone to write a letter to someone who has died.
She said, “When it’s time for me to go, whenever that is, your letters will be tucked into pockets in my shroud. It will be a comfort to know your blessings go with me and that your people (some of whom are also my people) will be there to welcome me on the landing.” We will have writing materials.
There will also be opportunities at the celebration to share your insight about care, learn to wrap a shroud for green burial, make art, and be close to friends and strangers in a moment of grief and joy.
It’s going to be a unique and meaningful day. We hope you can join us.
– The celebration team
Bedsores and Bliss
Get your copy of Bedsores and Bliss
"This little book is about journey. How do we keep walking and finding our way when the road ahead must pass through difficulty? This question feels relevant to where we are globally. As things we once depended on unravel, die or disappear, when we are hurting, how do we keep going?"Hanna du Plessis, August 2024
A collection of essays from Hanna du Plessis that explores two years of life after receiving a terminal ALS diagnosis. Hanna gives us rare insight into the details of her experience with a progressive disease while also earning a graduate degree in creative writing and traveling the world. It is rare to find these two things so well-forged together: an unflinching gaze into loss and an undaunted determination to fully experience life.
Co-published with Madbooks of Carlow University, to whom we are hugely grateful.
Hanna‘s story, as well as the entirety of her ALS writings, will soon be available in books of their own. Meanwhile we have the gift of this short powerful collection.
4×6″ Paperback
76 pages
US$10
What readers are saying
See inside: selected pages from Bedsores and Bliss
