Press Releases - 2008 Free Performance at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center Raises Awareness of Postpartum Depression Newark, NJ --Raising awareness of Postpartum Depression (PPD) is an important step in helping those new mothers who often suffer from the disorder in silence for fear of being judged, or judging themselves, inadequate mothers. On Tuesday, May 13, the public is invited to attend a new, two-act play, In the Shadow of my Son, that speaks to the sense of lost self, lost power and shame that women with PPD experience - leavened with humor and messages of hope. The show, which is free to the public, will premiere at 6:00 p.m. in the Parsonnet (formerly Danzis) Auditorium at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, 201 Lyons Avenue, Newark. Drawing on the experiences of three such mothers, the play weaves a rich tapestry of excerpts from interviews, personal essays and novels to tell a compelling story. In the Shadow of my Son educates audiences while reassuring those suffering from the disorder that they are not alone - or crazy. Integrating broader cultural views on motherhood, it also serves to affirm the vital concept of community as a force for acceptance and support, with the power to reduce greatly the stigma of the disorder and help end the social isolation of its sufferers. Educating audiences about these symptoms and the promise of healing, In the Shadow of My Son reflects some of its author, Nadine Bernard’s, personal experience in the transition to motherhood. The mother of a five-year-old son, Ms. Bernard is an actor, writer and director, and a graduate of Cornell University and Sarah Lawrence College. She is the founder of Out of the Shadow Productions, established in 2005. Its mission is to produce stories of recovery, self-discovery, transcendence, and hope that bridge differences among people based on life stages, circumstances and cultures. Its ultimate purpose is to break down boundaries of prejudice, stigma and intolerance. The ninety-minute full theater production of In the Shadow of My Son is intended for an adult audience only. There is a 30 minute Registration and Refreshment session, followed by the play, followed by a 20 minute question and answer session with the author/director. While it is free to the general audience, there is a fee required for those requesting continuing nursing education contact hours or social work credits. There is $12 charge for employees of hospitals that are members of the Gateway Northwest Maternal and Child Health Network, and a $15 for all others. A post-evaluation is offered at the end production. Those interested in attending are asked to make reservations by contacting Beverly Honore at (973) 268-2280 or emailing bhonore@gatewaymch.org. The performance is produced by Out of the Shadow Productions and you can visit www.OutOfTheShadowProductions for more information. Date: April 1, 2008 [ top ] |
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