Need a serving of resilience to go with those New Year’s resolutions? 
Ah January… a new year, a fresh start … time to tackle those goals and dreams that have been carried forward—over and over again! Most of us have a list of goals that seem to elude us. Sometimes (especially when we live with chronic illness or disability) it’s a time and energy issue. And sometimes we lack the courage to begin. When we’re facing the future and afraid to take a step we often forget to turn around to see that we have a lifetime of preparation. Too often we ignore our hard-earned experience, skills, strengths and resources. A few years ago I discovered Guided Autobiography (GAB), a tool for life review or reminiscence and a way to access our personal stories.

Stories are containers that hold our tacit knowledge, the knowledge we possess without knowing that we know it. A unique mixture of experience, skills, strengths, aptitude, feelings and more, tacit knowledge is difficult to write down or communicate to others. We tend to forget about our tacit knowledge because it surfaces only when needed. By sharing stories about our life, we can see evidence that we do indeed know more than we think we do. Revisiting our stories can increase self-esteem and confidence.

Guided Autobiography (GAB) is a form of life review or reminiscence developed by James Birren in the mid-80s. Since then, considerable research has documented the benefits of the GAB method. A standard GAB group meets weekly to read a short story (less than two pages) written on a weekly theme or topic handed out the week before. Each topic is accompanied by a list of questions to help you remember experiences. Topics include: Major branching points in your life; Your major life work or career; Your health and body; Your spiritual life and values; and Your goals and aspirations. It’s important to note that while GAB may be therapeutic, it is not therapy.

BCCPD is offering three ways of experiencing Guided Autobiography through a new program called SOAR (Stories of Adversity and Resilience). Currently SOAR is open to people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C.

1. GAB Group teleconference: a small group (maximum six people) meets weekly by teleconference
2. GAB Group face-to-face: a small group (maximum six people) meets weekly. By special arrangement with agencies/service providers in the Vancouver area. [If you are a service provider interested in a face-to-face GAB Group, please contact me. Contact information below.]
3. GAB Interview: an individual interview (by telephone across BC or face-to-face in Vancouver) for those who prefer not to participate in a group or write their stories. The interview will be between one and two hours long. Prior to the interview you will be asked to make notes in response to a list of questions provided when you register.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does it cost?
SOAR is free of charge.

Is there an honourarium or compensation for participating?
No financial compensation is provided. Guided Autobiography participants typically find the process enjoyable and helpful.

Why is this program available only to people living with HIV/HCV?
This is a pilot project and our funding is specific to an HIV/HCV audience.

I’m not a “writer” and feel uncomfortable about writing stories to share with a group. Do I HAVE to read my stories?
It is normal to feel a bit uncertain about sharing stories with others in your group. Group guidelines regarding respect and confidentiality are discussed and accepted at the first meeting. The facilitator monitors participants’ feedback to ensure that it is supportive, encouraging and empathetic. You will never be asked to share information you don’t feel comfortable sharing. While writing skills vary, the focus is on conveying your experiences and reflections and not “perfect writing.”

How much time will the course take each week?
GAB Group: You can expect to spend an hour or more writing one or more stories each week plus two hours for each class meeting.
GAB Interview: You can expect to spend an hour or more reflecting and making notes on a list of questions provided when you register. The interview will be one-two hours long.

When will the GAB Groups and GAB Interviews take place?
The groups and interviews will be scheduled in consultation with the participants and options discussed when you register.

Why would I choose the group format versus the individual format?
Research on the Guided Autobiography group process has documented the positive benefits of reflecting on and sharing your stories and hearing feedback from others in your group. Sometimes fellow participants observe aspects of your story that you had not considered. Comments about the challenges or difficulties you’ve experienced or your creative problem solving can be surprisingly affirming.

The GAB Interview offering a single appreciative listener/facilitator does not provide the benefits of hearing multiple reactions to your stories. Guided Autobiography is typically done in a group format but the GAB Interview is available for those who may be unable to write their own stories or may need an introduction in order to become comfortable with the process. There are a limited number of GAB Interview spaces.

I have a question not answered here…
Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have additional questions, want clarification or wish to register.

Contact:
Shelley Hourston
Program Director
Wellness & Disability Initiative/AIDS & Disability Action Program
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
604-875-0188 or toll-free 1-877-232-7400
Email wdi@bccpd.bc.ca

PDF for printing: New Guided Autobiography Program Blog Announcement

By Shelley Hourston

I’ve always been intrigued with the “quirkiness” of life… you know, those things that are common yet completely nonsensical. Stigma is one of those things. Sometimes from birth, and sometimes later in life, people find themselves a member of a group without ever signing up. Examples include poverty, racial/ethnic heritage, LGBT, age and disability/chronic illness. Other people who believe themselves spared from membership in one or more of these groups create (or accept) elaborate fictional stories about a specific group’s members without even meeting them! Stigma is a negative life story assigned to you and created by an unauthorized person (e.g. not you). Internalized stigma occurs when members of stigmatized groups believe these negative, unauthorized stories. The shame and fear evoked by someone else’s fiction about your life can make you forget that you are responsible for creating your life story. In fact, stigma can completely derail your life story if you let it. By harvesting our life experiences and strengthening our own story we can combat internalized stigma. If and when we feel strong and/or safe enough to share our stories with the world, we can also help others see stigma for what it is.

Maximizing the benefits of our life stories requires a bit of effort. Too often we let the strengths and wisdom within our life stories evaporate with time. We’ve all experienced adversity and successes but unless we are an avid “scrapbooker” or journal writer, we tend to forget that we are resilient. Collecting and reviewing personal life stories is empowering. Familiarity with your stories reinforces your wisdom, values and resources with evidence gathered in real life. Standing up to stigmatizing fictional stories is easier when your authentic life stories are easily accessible.

Getting started on your life stories
Your public library can direct you to autobiographical writing resources and possibly writing groups too. Or you can contact Shelley (see contact info below) for a Life Story Resource List.

For people living with HIV and/or Hepatitis C, BCCPD is running a pilot five-week course beginning in January 2014. Stories of Adversity & Resilience (SOAR) is free and will meet for five weeks by teleconference. Each week participants write a short story (two pages or less) about a life theme and prompted by a list of questions intended to stimulate memories. Stories are read at the next class and participants share their observations of strengths and resilience illustrated by the stories. Feedback is based on the Guided Autobiography method and the principles of Appreciative Inquiry. Space is limited. For information or to register, contact Shelley (certified Guided Autobiography instructor) by calling toll-free 1-877-232-7400 to leave a message or email wdi@bccpd.bc.ca. Exact start date (after January 13, 2014) and time will be determined with participants.

The BCCPD has received the following notice from the Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN):

Join us to discuss what’s important in your transition after high school and how to get involved in leading others through the same transition.

Finishing high school usually marks the end of one stage of your life and the beginning of another. Please join us for an interesting evening where you can let us know what’s important to you as you plan what you will do after you graduate high school!

We will be holding an info session to learn more from young people about what would be most helpful to them as they face life after graduation. Using your feedback, we’re going to improve our workshop that guides youth with a disability through this transition process.

We’re also looking for youth leaders who are interested in continuing to help guide us in our work. This will help us to develop useful and accessible information that will assist young people with disabilities, their families, and support networks make good choices.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Youth from 16-29
If you have already finished school, or will soon be facing graduation, we are interested in hearing from you about your experiences, ideas, hopes and fears.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?
We want to make sure that our resources include a youth perspective and are developed by youth, for youth!

WHEN?
September 19th, 2013 from 6:30-8:30pm

WHERE?
Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion
2702 Norland Avenue, Burnaby, BC V5N 3A6

Sushi, snacks and drinks will be provided
RSVP: inquiries@plan.ca or 604-439-9566