BC Brain Wellness Program’s Intergenerational Storytelling Project: Everybody Has a Story
By Jennifer Lim
Back cover of the storybook
The Intergenerational Storytelling Project beautifully connected nine student/senior pairs through storytelling for health and wellness. Online orientation sessions highlighted the health benefits of storytelling and participants undoubtedly witnessed the power of sharing lived experiences in promoting a sense of community and belonging. The duos created a physical storybook that highlighted life recollections of the senior. To conclude the project, everyone shared their experience participating in this project at a community celebration.
As one of the students and program assistants who participated in this project, I wanted to share a few takeaways from the experience.
Ex Memoria, Pax
A phrase that I put together in my Latin poetry class, “from memory, peace,” holds many sentiments that truly resonated with me throughout and after this project. I was partnered with a remarkable senior, Diane Daignault, who offered a wealth of invaluable advice on living a fulfilling life.
Initially, I thought that storytelling solely entailed one person recounting memories and the other, passively listening. However, I realized that it is this equilibrial state of respect, empathy, reflection, acceptance, and connection. As Diane began her story from early childhood to her recent life experiences with Parkinson’s Disease, I quickly felt this unspoken bond, rooted in admiration, trust, and compassion. Storytelling is truly an immersive and engaging experience for all parties. As Diane vividly articulated some of her earliest memories, I was also able to look back on my own experiences and reflect upon them, drawing parallels and forming meaningful connections.
The notion of memory and nostalgia is one that I like to revisit occasionally. Often marked with feelings of ‘saudade’ or profound melancholic longing, reminiscing about the past can be painful. However, I found, through eye-opening encounters with Diane, that there is a certain degree of peace when it comes to moments that have passed, especially those that we look back on fondly. It is almost as if memories dynamically live on as their own entity. But as time changes, memories do not. They continue to exist since conception, regardless of whatever succeeds. In other words, there may be different versions of a recollection depending on the nature of the content (whether positive or negative), changed perception of the beholder, or gradual fading due to time. However, the original inception of a memory remains untouched - nothing can truly change it unless time is reversed, of course.
Memories are inherently unwavering unlike human sentiment, and they can provide a sense of steadiness and foundation as they exist, almost set in stone, like a metaphorical engraving, eroded only by the weathering powers of time. But even then, when certain moments seem to slip through the same fingers that constantly reach out for the ever-elusive future, remnants of the past continue to bring peace and solace. Diane poignantly said that she “will treasure [this project] as [her] memory fades,” and I hope that this project offers some sense of tranquility and comfort.
Participating in this project was extremely touching and meaningful on a deeply personal level. Having moved from Korea to Vancouver when I was two years old and only going back twice since, I was never fully able to form that invaluable grandparent/grandchild relationship like so many are lucky to do. However, through storytelling and conversation, Diane and I both shared a sense of each other’s respective perspectives on life. As I shared the uncertainties of a 21-year-old, navigating college, career paths, relationships, and early adulthood, she shed light on the importance of staying grounded and true to myself through everything. And while most people my age are constantly future-driven, she emphasized that in the grand scheme of things, the accumulation of life experiences and memories that make us unique, are invaluable and should be celebrated.
Diane holding up the physical copy of her storybook
Around the time COVID hit, the health status of my grandparents had severely worsened, which was compromised by severe dementia due to Alzheimer’s. Travel restrictions complicated visits to Korea, and so through this project, I caught a glimpse of that longed-for grandparent/grandchild dynamic. Not only did it remind me of my very early memories with my grandparents, but it truly exemplified the benefits of storytelling and sharing life experiences for both of us.
This pilot project truly embodies the vision of the BC Brain Wellness Program: Brain Wellness, Beyond All Boundaries. Although Diane and I were physically apart, we were able to bond on a deeper level and bridge the gap between the age difference that often separates individuals of different generations. In addition, this project allowed me to really sit down and reflect on the deeper meaning of storytelling, memories, and sharing lived experiences.