If You Died and Came Back, What Would Your Art Look Like?

Issue: March/April 2023

Authors: Joelle Borhart, MD FAAEM FACEP

Incredibly, Dr. Matthew Wetschler has answered this question. Dr. Wetschler is a fellow emergency physician and artist who survived a catastrophic spinal cord injury and cardiac arrest while surfing. You may remember Dr. Wetschler from his moving keynote address, “Water and Stars” at the 2019 AAEM Scientific Assembly in Las Vegas, NV. As co-chair for the 2019 Scientific Assembly Planning Committee, I was in the front row when he shared his inspiring story of recovery against all odds.

Since that keynote address, I have continued to think about Dr. Wetschler often, and was delighted to learn that a short documentary of his story was recently released. The movie begins on the beach just after the injury. Two strangers—one another doctor—resuscitate Dr. Wetschler after pulling him out of the water. Weeks of inpatient rehabilitation follows. While in the hospital, an art therapist works with Dr. Wetschler as he begins to process the significance of his harrowing death experience and learns to create art with his changed body, what he describes as “a beautiful opportunity.” Beautiful indeed—we watch as Dr. Wetschler creates gorgeous pieces using medical supplies such as betadine and gauze and only limited use of his right arm.

Another poignant moment takes place in a kitchen. Dr. Wetschler is preparing to return to work in the ED and a friend has set up mannequins to practice placing a central line and intubating. Prior to the accident, he had worked just a single shift as an attending at his hospital. Now 15 months have passed. Dr. Wetschler appreciates the high stakes of returning to work with no back up (“If I can’t get the procedure, no one can get the procedure”). Yet he approaches the situation with humility and levity joking with the mannequin that, “I need to place a big IV in your neck. Side note: I have no feeling or coordination in my hands.”

I have thought of Dr. Wetschler frequently since hearing him speak in Las Vegas. His story is a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit and to the miracles of modern medicine. I hope you will consider watching his inspiring documentary. Matthew Wetschler died and came back, and his art is beautiful.