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Narrative Arts
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. - Anias Nin
" the really interesting autobiographies are those that speak not of the author but of every reader" - Christian Boltanski
"Autobiography is not the story of a life; it is the recreation or the discovery of one.
Simply put, autobiography is a reckoning." Carolyn G. Heilbrun
Narratives provide one person, a rich and resonant sense of another person's experience. While the subject matter and voice maybe uniquely the author's, they speak of universal truths and the human condition: illness, crisis, catastrophe, loss, adventure, accident. They take various forms - written (memoirs,
autobiography, poetry), spoken, visual (photography, film and video, performing arts) and are often a mix of media. Narrative Medicine incorporates both the viewing of narratives (movies, books, photo essays ,performing arts) or the creating one's own story/narrative. Many people can't fully understand an experience, unless it has happened to them or a loved one. Yet, the very nature of illness and crisis is it catches us unawares, there is little time to prepare and one's usual coping skills are usually ineffective. Friends and family struggle and are unsure of how to respond, most hope that things will returned to normal as soon as possible. Narratives then become an invaluable resource providing information, understanding, inspiration and connection. They are effective because they blur the boundaries between education/information and entertainment.
Narrative Medicine is a new and emerging field which uses narratives in healthcare settings. Medical Schools, include it in their curriculum to help physicians be better prepared to evoke and listen to patient's stories. Providers are asked to create narratives based on their experience and perspective. Patients and families might be suggested books/movies view or asked to create narratives in an effort to help them make sense of their experience. Creating narratives in particular has been correlated with enhanced physical and emotional wellbeing, as well as anecdotal reports of value, purpose and connection. Narratives are used in a number of settings beyond healthcare including business, advertising and education.
Steffanie is a licensed clinical social worker and photographer. She discovered narrative literature (memoir and biography) and then other forms of narrative media during a period of illness. They provided her with companionship, hope and perspective. She began to write personal narratives, which helped her make sense of and leave behind her experience. She began to photograph and experiment with other medians as well. She teaches workshops and consults on the use of narratives.
Workshops and Groups
The Art of Resilience and Survival - what helps some survive and persist through challenging and difficult situations. What role does passion, focus, and creativity play? This workshop reviews the resilience and survival strategies of such disparate groups as artist, explorers, outdoorsmen and hobbyists. What do Shackelton (the artic explorer), the author of Seabiscuit and Frida Kahlo have in common and how might this help you?
Artists and other creative types use the passion of their work to sustain them. exploring how both the viewing and doing of art and creativity helps people, not only cope with and transcend crisis and trauma, but transition to a better life. A mixed media format is used including movie clips, music, inspirational quotes, poetry and excerpts from survival memoirs, as well as interviews and various other artistic work.
Narrative Medicine
Narrative Medicine for Caregivers
Caregivers listen to other people stories day in and day out, frequently these are stories of disappointment, pain or despair. As providers, we are expected by our clients and often ourselves to have anwers and resolutions. We are often so focused on meeting the ever expanding, day to day responsibilities of our workload, that rarely if ever is discussed the effects of listening to these stories over time. There are common metaphors The Nurse Ratchett type. Some of us are holding out for the healthcare system our employer or workload to change. What are the costs and benefits of
Finding Your Voice and Telling Your Story - This workshop uses personal narratives to empower participants to tell their stories. We will employ simple photographic methods and participants need not have photographic experience. Other forms of personal narrative may be incorporated, including writing, drawing or painting but the primary focus will be photographic based narratives. The workshop can be customized for specific populations that maybe struggling with identity women, teenagers, and seniors, and the ill.
For further information contact steffanie@steffanieohanlon.com
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