Workshops offer creative haven for people with endometriosis

BELMONT resident and creative Rachel Bishop was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2021, at the age of 36.

The diagnosis only came after she suffered severe gastritis, which resulted from her attempts to ease the pain and symptoms she was experiencing with a combination of painkillers.

“That’s about a 22-year diagnosis delay, after having issues since I was 14 and being constantly told that [the pain was] normal,” Bishop said.

“The mental aspect was really, really hard. Understanding what had happened to you, the grief and the trauma of being told for those 22 years that nothing was wrong.

“The impact this thing has on people bodies, it’s so much more than a period disease, it’s so much more than a woman’s disease.”

As part of her own recovery, Bishop threw herself into art and eventually connected with local volunteer support group Endo Geelong, an experience which inspired her to launch EndoArt, a series of creative workshops for people with endometriosis.

“I just realised that the community side of things, having people around you that have a similar journey to you, is critical,” she said.

She described the workshops as similar to the popular “paint and sip” classes, but with “more of a purpose”.

“Everybody paints something small. If they don’t want to participate in conversations, they can just listen and learn and just be part of the space. If they want to engage with each other, they can.”

 

 

Instead of collecting artworks participants have no personal connection to, Bishop said, the EndoArt workshops encourage attendees to craft a piece that reminds them they can survive hard times, whether it be a mantra or a symbol.

“Mine lives in my bathroom because that’s where I spend all my time,” she joked.

“It’s just to remind you that you’ve done some really hard stuff, and you can keep doing really hard stuff and that you should be proud of yourself.”

Next month, Bishop will host another three EndoArt workshops, which are scheduled for the 2nd, 23rd and 31st of March, coinciding with Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Now in her third year of delivering the workshops, Bishop said one of the most rewarding aspects is seeing participates swapping contact details after a session.

“All I wanted, at the end of the day, is just for people to find other people that they can talk to.

“Every March, I look forward to endo month because [the workshops are] my cup filler. I love meeting people and hearing their stories and sharing and seeing them leave knowing somebody else.

“I want you to be able to come there, even if you are in pain. Bring your heat pack, bring your comfy clothes, go in pyjamas. It’s that ability to go ‘I’m in a room with my peers’, so even if I turn around and tell them ‘I’m having a really bad pain day’, everyone’s going to go ‘We get it’.”

The workshops are open to people of all creative ability, and everyone is encouraged to create something that makes sense to them, while enjoying their favourite beverages and refreshments.

To get involved, head to eventbrite.com.au/o/pinchiedraws-48263787023, or visit @pinchiedraws or @endogeelong on Instagram.