Sadly many of stuff our photographs away in drawers and shoeboxes. Whilst that's not so important for more recent photographs it's bad news for those that tell of our past. Before you forget, and before others forget, dig them out and add your stories. When you work with those with fading or daily changing memories then you'll know how difficult it is for people to establish a sense of self, and a sense of place through photographs. Photographs of significant people can have little meaning or relevance. Each time you come upon them can be like the first time. Whilst this is great news in some ways (as it means you can approach each conversation anew) it can seem like you're going over old ground. What's really important is to gather, and record essential information, before its too late. We've all had family members 'pass on' before we've had a chance to gain, or verify information. This can establish those family 'folklore' stories, where things can become more and more fanciful over time. It also, sadly, can add to those 'black sheep' stories, where individuals somehow have their credibility changed by those of successive generations. Fortunately, you can stop this from starting, if you are able to record your own, or others' details in some way. So what do you start with? Well, if you're working with those who have memory impairment then the most obvious place to start is with what they know and can recall and what they are most willing to share. That may be information about parents or grandparents. Or perhaps it may even mean starting with themselves, or their brothers or sisters. So how to go about it? Well here we can take a few lessons from Journalling techniques practised by those doing Memory Albums or Scrapbooking. We know from research that the memories that stay with us the best are those that have the greatest impact. That is those that touch a nerve. Perhaps we have sort of emotional response to the event or the person. Perhaps the occasion was particularly important for us, or it may have been a conversation and words said at this event that made a huge difference to how we thought about something or someone. So in being able to access these memories we need to know what open questions to ask. Using the right questions, together with an encouraging approach will help. Use questions that focus Who, What, Where, When, Why. As you get information, record it sensitively, and in agreement. You may only have an opportunity to put these into bullet points, but there may a chance to take things further and to write a brief few lines that 'tells' the story of the photograph. Don't be tempted to add your interpretation of photographs, because this can affect the recall of others. It may even take them down a different path than the one they were engaged on. Remember, the more you do this kind of linking or association, the stronger these memory links or 'engrams' will become. It's not so vital in the early stages to get the correct spellings or dates down. These things can always be confirmed through someone else - (perhaps another family member), with a greater ability to recall. In checking details, bear in mind that this action tells the person you are working with that you don't trust the information that they have shared. If that's an issue, consider how you will receive and react to personal stories. Remember that the person you are working with is telling their story (as they see it or recall it) and asking another family member to verify, or add to information be disrespectful for the story telling. Lastly, before sharing any information with a larger audience, do check that you have permission. Data protection and confidentiality issues must be considered when dealing with personal information and vulnerable individuals. |
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