Drawing the Future: Visual Storytelling for End-of-Life | Dr Jill Greenbaum | TEDxSantaBarbaraSalon | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Visual scribe Jill discusses her work of drawing conversations with individuals, capturing stories, memories, and hopes for the future, regardless of age. Through this process, people gain a deeper appreciation for their daily lives and reflect on their mortality.

Key Insights

• 💨 Drawing conversations provide a unique, visual way to capture stories and memories.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 The process is not restricted to older individuals but also includes people in their 50s and 60s who are looking towards the future.
• 🛟 Engaging in conversations about mortality helps individuals appreciate their daily lives more.
• 💭 Visual scribes provide a compassionate and caring environment for individuals to explore their thoughts and emotions.
• 🎚️ Visual representation helps individuals understand and connect with their narratives on a deeper level.
• ⌛ The process can involve multiple drawings and ongoing conversations as ideas and perspectives may change over time.
• 🛟 Visual obituaries and life reviews are effective tools for sharing memories and reflecting on one's life, regardless of age.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What is the main idea behind drawing conversations instead of recording them?

Drawing conversations allows for a unique way of capturing stories visually, giving a deeper understanding and connection to the narratives. It also provides a more personal and tangible representation compared to recordings.

Q: How does the process of drawing conversations unfold?

Before the session, individuals are prepared to discuss their wishes, hopes, dreams, worries, and envision their future. During the conversation, visual scribes listen deeply, ask key questions, and draw simultaneously. Afterwards, the drawing is reviewed, and any necessary additions or changes are made.

Q: How do people react when seeing their stories visually depicted for the first time?

The reaction is often one of total experience, where individuals feel deeply heard and appreciated. Visual representation helps them see their stories in a new light and brings a sense of gratitude and peace.

Q: How do visual obituaries and life reviews play a role in this process?

Visual obituaries and life reviews are not limited to older individuals. They can be a meaningful way for people of all ages to share memories and reflect on their lives. It becomes a conversation and a way to celebrate and examine one's life.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Jill, a visual scribe, engages in conversations with individuals to capture their stories visually, rather than through videos or recordings.

• This process is not limited to older individuals but also includes people in their 50s and 60s who are contemplating their future.

• The act of reflecting on mortality helps individuals appreciate their daily lives more.