It's no small task, to partake in a class project as a freshman, where you are partnered with an older adult you have never met before, and are charged with interviewing this person to collect something as personal as their life story. As one of our residents even admitted, he couldn't have imagined doing this type of project as an eighteen year old. But that is also the beauty of the project. It encourages us to step out of our comfort zone, go beyond our own peer group, and engage with someone who has been our age before, who has walked through decades of the joys and sorrows life has dealt, and who has so much to share. I maintain that while the residents end up with the final tangible product of a life story book and banner (which is incredibly meaningful) the students walk away from the experience with an intangible new sense of connection and insight into the amazing lives the residents have lived. The students gain just as much as the residents during this project, because it's inspiring to learn of all the ways the adults in front of us have contributed and are still contributing to their communities and to society. Through this experience, we had the pleasure of learning about residents who had ran marathons, worked on the apollo space missions, were responsible for some of the most iconic construction projects in Wichita, traveled the world, was an antique automobile connoisseur, were private pilots, experienced love stories suitable for Hollywood, received significant recognitions for career accomplishments, raised children … just to highlight a few attributes of the amazing stories shared. Amazing stories that are worthy of being told, celebrated, and passed down to family members through the years. All stories that remind us the person in front of us is more than just their number, they are a collection of experiences and life long lessons that have made them who they are today. We all are a collection of our experiences and if we take the time to engage with one another, imagine what we can learn across generations. Student Snapshots "It had a big impact hearing how each of us had left an imprint on each other's hearts, and it made my heart happy to know that for most people, this was more than just a project." "I am so happy how this project went. I never thought a connecting generations class would have such an impact on my life." "It was also cool to see the relationships that were developed between different generations. That is what I believe to be my favorite part of the project." "This class has not only helped me learn to communicate better with older adults but it's also given me a new friend and mentor." "She showed me, how to be happy in life and how many things you can experience in a lifetime. You are never to old for adventures and you never regret making memories with your favorite people around you". Thanks for following Sharing Life Stories with Shockers!
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This week residents had an opportunity to meet our students right where they are - on Wichita State's campus. We flipped the script and Larksfield took a short fieldtrip to the Rhatigan Student Center where we held a large group session, our first of the spring, and everyone had an opportunity to hear other perspectives. While only six of eleven residents made the trip, their impact was felt in the room. Because at this session, everyone had the opportunity to hear the passion with which residents shared of their childhood. Conversation ranged from growing up in the cold winters of Michigan, summers spent "shocking" the wheat on the farm, driving a car to school illegally, and even stories into early adulthood of marriage and extravagant gifts like a yellow Mercedes that was made on the exact date they were married. Students also had the opportunity to share of their childhoods and how they contrasted to their resident's. Or better yet, how similar they were as one student described he too drove to school illegally, and it was a joy to see that connection and bond unfold. What stole the show though was a shared moment of ballroom dancing. When an instructor shared that part of her history is her experience as a ballroom dancing instructor, one resident leaned over to his student and said, "Get your camera ready." He then walked over to this instructor, and while doing so, explained that one of him and his wife's favorites things to do during their 63 years of marriage was ballroom dance. With outstretched hand, he asked her to dance. Having just lost his wife within the past couple of years, it was the most touching moment I have experienced this semester. It brought smiles to everyone's faces in the room, and a tear to mine. That's what this is all about, isn't it? Reliving memories, sharing them across generations, and remembering that we all have a story. How fortunate we are when we get to see a part of someone's story play out before our eyes. Student Snapshots "I thought it was so cool how we could all relate to each other and find interest in each other's simple but personal experiences. We genuinely had a fun time and a good laugh. That was different for me, to be able to coexist, because with adults in my family it has always been a adult split and have their adult talk and the younger ones do the same and separate by age groups. At the meeting it made it possible in my head now that we can all as a family genuinely spend time together and have fun and conversate with each other." "He talked about all the vacations and silly stories he experienced as a young adult and kid, and it baffled me how free kids were back then compared to now. He was so independent compared to kids now and it really showed me how he is the way he is now. Without his independence, there wouldn’t be any trace of his go-getter attitude." Thanks for following Sharing Life Stories with Shockers! |
AuthorHi! I am Jacie Green, an instructor in the aging studies program at Wichita State University. Follow our freshman class journey as we engage with residents from a local senior living community. Enjoy! Archives
May 2023
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