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Archive Number 32

Date: Sun, 15 Apr 2001 14:08:33 -0500
From: "Andre B. Heuer"
Subject: Re: storytellers/hospice






----- Original Message -----
From: "Donna Marie Kuczynski"
> I have used the ball of yarn with agitated Alzheimer patients,something I
learned from a women at a Alzheimer support group meeting. By giving each
person apart of the yarn to hold on to as we told a story ,we became a unit
and no one left the group and they seemed more content at the time.

Donna and All,

I have noticed the same thing with young and old. There is something about
holding onto the yarn that grounds. I also notice that people become very
respectful of the yarn. It becomes a symbol of the connection. When the
participants in my groups cut the yarn to create a storyline bundle they do
it respectfully. It is amazing how powerful the combination of telling a
story and the symbol of the yarn are together.

In one spanish/english group the spanish speaking members began to sing
DeColores as they cut the yarn and then the whole group began to sing. This
created a strong lasting bond. It ended a struggle that the group had been
having and the healing between the members has now lasted.

I am wondering if others have had similiar experiences in sharing stories
with yarn or other objects.

Andre