Name
Elise Rosati

Brain Tumor Type
Craniopharyngioma

Date of Diagnosis
04/01/2008

Participant Group
Brain Tumor Survivor / 21 and over

Category
Creative Writing

Artist Statement (include type of art, techniques & materials used, what it means to you)
Art, specifically poetry, has allowed me to voice my feelings when my world is collapsing around me. There are often times when I get really frustrated with myself and because of my lack of cortisol often end up in tears or exhausted, and feel like it’s too much to have to explain anything, to others, or to myself, so I’ll type up a poem or write in my notes app on my phone, or in a notebook about whatever I’m dealing with (mainly for myself) as an outlet. Whenever I’m struggling with the side effects of my tumor and stroke, I write, because it is easier for me, putting a pen to paper to express my feelings, rather than to voice them myself. Photography has also been something that has allowed me to help people see the world through my eyes, and through the eyes of a survivor, and has challenged me to do so in every picture I take.
I think for me, my favorite medium is pencil and paper. This is because the sound of the charcoal scratching against the paper as I write reminds me that I'm still here, gives me a chance to share my story in a way, and is almost as calming, as expressing my feelings in the words I’m writing, The scent of a freshly sharpened pencil in a new notebook inspires and exhilarates me, allowing me to feel completely free in my writing.





Artist Bio: Tell Us Your Story
Elise Rosati is 27 years old. She recently graduated with her Master’s in Therapeutic Recreation from Temple University. She loves writing poetry and short stories, as well as reading. She loves photography, and scrapbooking. She also enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and pets.
Elise was diagnosed with a Craniopharyngioma at the age of 11 in April of 2008, and had a stroke affecting her left side during the surgery to remove it. She aspires to become a child life specialist at a children’s hospital, and is currently working on pursuing this goal.
It was after reading her grandfather’s poems that Elise found an interest in writing poetry. Writing poetry continues to be an outlet for her after her surgery to voice her struggles with life after brain injury
“Growing up, my life revolved around playing sports, so when my brain surgeon told me I could no longer play on a sports team, my life was shattered. I struggled to find new hobbies and interests to fill my time. I turned to activities such as scrapbooking, photography, crafts, and writing poetry. Since then, whenever I’m struggling with the side effects of my tumor and stroke, I write, because it is easier for me, putting a pen to paper to express my feelings, rather than to voice them myself.”