In this piece, originally written for a medical anthropology course, I explore how one woman’s experience with illness shaped her worldview, priorities, and relationship to health. Through her story, the narrative reflects on broader questions of risk, responsibility, and the pursuit of meaning in the face of uncertainty.

Responsibility and Health: Mitigating the Risk of Illness

Naomi Braude

While illness often conjures a sense of loss of control, for some, the experience offers new perspective and a commitment to helping others make informed health choices. One woman, referred to here as Jaclyn, shared insights from her journey with illness—reflections that have since shaped her personal and professional outlook.

I. Illness Narrative

From a young age, Jaclyn experienced a series of health challenges, which would, in part, shape her later worldview. Early surgical procedures and hospital stays instilled in her a familiarity with clinical spaces. During adolescence, a significant illness disrupted her life, forcing her into physical and emotional isolation at a time when peer connection felt most essential. She described this period as marked by a sudden sense of seriousness and fragility, a shift from the carefree rhythm of her earlier years.

In early adulthood, Jaclyn faced her most serious health crisis. After a prolonged period of unexplained symptoms, imaging revealed a cancerous tumor. Following consultation, she opted to have the affected organ removed entirely to minimize the risk of the disease spreading. Though she approached the procedure with composure—drawing on her past experiences—recovery was difficult. She had to pause her studies and resign from work, and living alone during that time intensified her vulnerability. She recalls a moment post-surgery, walking with a cane and noticing the way others looked at her, feelings of shame mixing with resilience.

Not long after regaining stability, Jaclyn’s father received a terminal diagnosis. The timing and her close relationship with him made the experience especially painful. She believes that had he undergone routine screenings, the outcome might have been different. Still, she found purpose in sharing this lesson with others; one acquaintance, encouraged by Jaclyn, pursued testing that led to early detection and treatment of their own illness.

These experiences have left a lasting mark. Illness clarified for Jaclyn the fleeting nature of time and the need to pursue life goals with intention. Rather than following a rigid or sequential path, she chose to prioritize fulfillment across both personal and professional spheres.

II. Discussion

Jaclyn’s story illustrates what medical anthropologist Arthur Kleinman describes as the personal, social, and cultural meanings of illness—distinct from the clinical concept of disease. For Jaclyn, symptoms were not simply biomedical phenomena; they challenged her identity, relationships, and worldview. The meaning of illness extended beyond the body, reshaping how she engaged with the world.

Her experience also reflects how our culture constructs the idea of “risk.” As scholars like Mary Douglas and Ian Hacking have observed, modern health consciousness emphasizes risk mitigation and personal responsibility. Jaclyn internalized this ethos, becoming a firm believer in proactive health care. She advocated for screenings, insisted on diagnostic imaging, and embraced procedures that reduced uncertainty. For her, tests offered peace of mind and, in some cases, life-saving information.

Though she recognizes that medical testing is not infallible, Jaclyn sees proactive care as a vital part of living meaningfully. She believes that personal agency in health care is not just about survival—it’s about reclaiming a sense of control. As she powerfully put it, by staying informed and engaged, the “randomness of illness will not have robbed” her of her dreams and goals.