Body of Words is a community writing program at Lighthouse that supports and celebrates the creativity, resilience, and perspectives of writers and artists living with chronic illness and disability. Led by Rachel Weaver, a beloved instructor at Lighthouse who won the Beacon Award in 2018 for her incredible teaching style, this community meets twice a month and spots fill rapidly.
One Body of Words participant shared, “The sense of community Rachel created with such swiftness was impressive. I got a lot out of this—I even have a pretty fleshed out short story in mind I never would have written without the visuals and prompts she created…This is an enormous benefit to the Lighthouse writing community.”
The author of DIZZY, a memoir about her own struggles with chronic illness, Rachel started leading these meetups in November 2025 and created a vital resource for this community. Let’s check in with Rachel on her experience with these popular meetups through the Q&A below to see the value of writing as a tool for connection and support.
Why did you want to start Body of Words?
As chronically ill and or disabled writers, I think it’s important to reclaim our own experience on our own terms, in our own language from the medical industrial complex. I also want to celebrate the specific life wisdom gained from this path we are all on. And I wanted to build a smaller community within the larger Lighthouse community. Arthur Frank, who wrote The Wounded Storyteller, says, "Suffering does not magically disappear when the tale is told, but the more stories I heard the less space my own suffering seemed to take up. I felt less alone."
How have these meetups gone?
Well, I was nervous to start. It felt like a tricky thing to hold the space for a group of people in all different places on a difficult journey. I thought surely I'd be able to manage it for a group of five or six, but then 70+ people signed up for the first meetup. We limited it to 30 and I taught the same session twice, which has been happening most months. The thing that has been so amazing that I did not anticipate is that everyone helps hold the safe space. All emotions and experiences are welcome and supported in such a beautiful way. All I did was start it, and then all these amazing people showed up to support each other.
Was there a special moment in a meetup that really showed you the value of this program?
It's been incredible to watch friendships form quickly and easily over shared experience. It feels like a treasured space of kindness in this time when so much of the country is focused on all things other than kindness and compassion between individuals.
What have you learned as an instructor through this program?
To always do the scary thing. To put yourself out there in a vulnerable way is terrifying, but, especially here at Lighthouse, there are kind people who this sort of act calls forward. I did my best to hide my chronic illness for a long time for a variety of reasons. It's been an eye-opening experience to put it front and center of my teaching.
Why do you think writing specifically is a great tool for community and healing?
Writing encourages thinking through a concept more deeply as we search for the truth of it. This openness within ourselves promotes healing and community building.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED WITH BODY OF WORDS
If you are interested in attending a meetup for Body of Words, check out the next available time.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Lighthouse relies on the support of our community for the crucial work of maintaining and growing programs like Body of Words. Donate to Body of Words by selecting this program from the drop-down menu on our website.
