Sprouts of an Idea
Let me be up front, this entry is primarily about verbally sketching out a few ideas about the benefits of storytelling that have been floating in my mind for the past week or so. Thoughts that had previously seemed separate are beginning to collide in some ways that I find exciting, and I want to share where they are going. Just keep in mind that this is not a completed thing, but an early step, and I would love to read your thoughts on what I’m sharing.
But here we go...
Recently, I read the book Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig, a book of reflections about the author’s experience with physical impairments and being labeled “disabled” by society. First, let me say that it is an absolutely brilliant read, and I highly recommend it to everyone, as Taussig is able to convey her private experiences in a manner that is incredibly personal and direct while remaining palatable and enjoyable for the reader. Easy to read, but opens the mind to alternate perspectives of what we call reality or “normal”. But what I want to recognize from this book is how the author is empowered by sharing her story, and it seems to me that it is not only the fact of her sharing her story, but by offering her experience as a way to help other people who are similarly stigmatized by society. And Taussig recognizes that she is just one story, and every person who is burdened with a physical or mental impairment has his or her own set of experiences and adaptations that can be used to demonstrate, teach, warn and inspire. Using her words, from the final chapter of the book, “I don’t know all these stories, but I know each of them is full and complicated and deeply personal.” While Taussig doesn’t directly state it, she certainly implies that she believes in the power of story as a way for people who work through disabilities to love self-identity.
Then, after this wonderful read, I borrowed the book Tribe, On Homecoming and Belonging by Sebastian Junger. Again, a brilliant book -- wonderful, quick read, but with a different tone. In this work, Junger presents an argument that community is a necessary part of being human, and that in contemporary society we are losing many of the community rituals required for healing after trauma, and while he does not suggest that all these rituals have completely vanished, he does cite many ways in which it takes extreme circumstances to foster the community based, altruistic spirit -- examples such as natural disasters or becoming mired in middle of a war zone. He recognizes that, when there are such extreme situations, humans have an instinct to come together and provide support to each other. When the situation isn’t as extreme for an entire community, however, that community may have the tendency to overlook those who have individually experienced a traumatic event or have been part of an alternate community when first dealing with the trauma, and not be able to find a safe social network when returning to the home community -- the example of veterans is used repeatedly throughout the book, and to great effect. Junger looks at these examples, and suggests that one way to support people returning from war is to not merely recite the programmed phrase, “Thank you for your service,” but to take some time to listen to the stories of what happened. Specifically, he suggested that, on veterans day, having an event where veterans can come to a stage and publicly share the experience of war. This isn’t about being elegant, eloquent or entertaining -- this is about taking a few hours and listening the honest stories from those who serve the nation. Again, he seems to be implying that allowing people to share their stories of trauma can help in healing.
Whie both these books were read purely based on recommendations, it happens that I have been involved in research with two rehabilitation practitioners/academics and we are beginning to explore the use of storytelling as a tool for rehabilitation after trauma, specifically Traumatic Brain Injury. You also may know that storytelling as a tool in rehabilitation is one of the major themes in my book, Who Am I, Now? Using storytelling to accept and appreciate self-identity after TBI. I have a strong conviction about the power of storytelling as a tool for rehabilitation after trauma, and while my work to date has been focused on Brain Injury, I feel this tool must be further explored for all types of trauma to see how it can be best employed to encourage reintegration after a traumatic event.
These are three examples of how storytelling can be used, though perhaps being called by a different term. Regardless, it is a testament to the power of story, and the importance of sharing after trauma, both for the individual and his or her community.
And this brings me to the idea that’s growing in my head...I think I want to organize events for people to share after trauma. When I say this, I also recognize that the idea of an open mic for speaking about one’s experiences can be off putting and may keep an audience away. That’s why I think this sort of thing needs to be an event -- make a commotion about it in the community. Have two or three primary, polished speakers leading the event and sharing personal experiences, but then have time and space dedicated to other people who can share about a trauma. The StorySlam format -- popular 20 and 30 somethings in many cities -- is a move in this direction, but the focus is on rehearsed, polished performances as opposed to opening the stage to those who just share. Mind, this is not a dig at any such StorySlam events -- I love these and think they are a great addition to any community conversation, but I want to suggest something with a different focus -- shifting the focus from the performance to releasing the experience. The polished speakers would be there to start things off, but this is only with the thought that stories begat stories...the goal is to see what may come up in this experience.
Like I said, this is only the sprout of an idea, but the three seeds I share above let me believe that this is something that will grow once I’m able to give it the appropriate time, attention, and nourishment. Please share your thoughts.
