The innovative project “Exams Under Anaesthesia (EUA) Graphics: Equity and Neurodiversity in the Operating Room” has officially launched its online exhibition. Hosted by the UBC Comics Studies Cluster, this exhibition is available for viewing at comics.arts.ubc.ca/eua-graphics.
This initiative, led by Dr. Elizabeth Nijdam and community-based pediatrician Dr. Anamaria Richardson, features the work of cartoonists who created graphic novels depicting the experiences of neurodiverse children within the BC healthcare system. Each artist crafted a short comic of 8-12 pages, inspired by real-life interviews with parents of neurodiverse children, specifically those who have undergone Exams Under Anesthesia at BC Children’s Hospital.
The project aims to bring attention to the complex challenges faced by these children and their families in medical settings. By leveraging the accessible and emotionally resonant medium of comics, the exhibition hopes to foster greater empathy and understanding among healthcare professionals and the wider public.
Visit the UBC Comic Studies Cluster website to explore the exhibition and learn more about the stories of these children and the transformative power of graphic storytelling in medicine. The physical exhibition is set to be displayed at BC Children’s Hospital in May 2024.