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socialjustice_fsu · 12-17-2010, 12:18 AM

about 400 docs, nurses and social workers today about advanced Alzheimer's Disease. Instead of citing stats and a powerpoint presentation of graphs and research design I decided to scrap that approach and make it interactive. I led them down a hypothetical corridor to the room where they were diagnosed with the disease. Each student had a bag of items to help them 'become' the patient. 2 keys, a bottle of pills with specific (basic) directions of how to take them (the 'pills' were M&M's and Hot Tamale candy) and a photograph of someone that was supposedly a close family member that they were to identify by name (the photos were of my family and friends).

I have never seen such energy as these professionals took this exercise to the maximum impact. They stepped into their role as a patient and the impact was beyond anything I ever suspected it would be. There were tears and laughter but best of all I think I imparted what ~ in some ways ~ it feels like to not know yourself, anyone you have loved, and the lack of capability to carry out simple tasks. It was powerful. I feel humbled to have been their instructor.

12-17-2010, 12:18 AM	#3315
socialjustice_fsu Member How Do You Identify?: Feminine Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: It’s all good. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The gulf waters are sapphire blue and the beach sand is white as snow. Posts: 607 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,866 Thanked 2,155 Times in 439 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Teaching... about 400 docs, nurses and social workers today about advanced Alzheimer's Disease. Instead of citing stats and a powerpoint presentation of graphs and research design I decided to scrap that approach and make it interactive. I led them down a hypothetical corridor to the room where they were diagnosed with the disease. Each student had a bag of items to help them 'become' the patient. 2 keys, a bottle of pills with specific (basic) directions of how to take them (the 'pills' were M&M's and Hot Tamale candy) and a photograph of someone that was supposedly a close family member that they were to identify by name (the photos were of my family and friends). I have never seen such energy as these professionals took this exercise to the maximum impact. They stepped into their role as a patient and the impact was beyond anything I ever suspected it would be. There were tears and laughter but best of all I think I imparted what ~ in some ways ~ it feels like to not know yourself, anyone you have loved, and the lack of capability to carry out simple tasks. It was powerful. I feel humbled to have been their instructor.