AMPLIFY: Curative Stories of Empowerment and Advocacy

Amplify is a live storytelling show of true tales told by patients, nurses, physicians, & health advocates. Our voice gives us power to advocate for change. We all have something to say & through story we can share the deeper meaning of our loss & triumphs. Stories remind us that we are not alone.

The Specifics: What will the $3,000 fund?

The participatory healthcare movement needs a community forum for patients, advocates, and healthcare professionals to unite for one evening a month where all can amplify the collective voice of healthcare to create change for the better.

Amplify: Curative Stories of Empowerment and Advocacy will be produced at a suitable venue in New York City with affordable tickets prices so anyone can attend. The event will host four to five storytellers, a musical performance, and health-related art. It will be an evening to explore the science and art of healthcare.
$3000 will cover the costs of:
Venue Rental/Set Design
Light & Sound technician fees
Camcorder with tripod for filming
Advertising and marketing costs/program design and printing

Discussion

I love this idea! I blogged about the importance of patient stories back in 2010 and highlight the UK's Patient Voices Programme. You can read it here: http://www.hivestrategies.com/2010/12/patient-voices-can-you-hear-them-listen-through-social-media/ In the post I focused on digital storytelling, but it's the story that's powerful, no matter what the medium.

by jeankelsosandlin

11 months ago | Reply

Jean, I appreciate this link. Thank you very much. I appreciate the 7 Core Values on your site as well, but the UK's Patient Voices Programme looks wonderful! Digital storytelling reaches a broader audience than live storytelling. Live storytelling is an amazing experience for the storyteller and the audience. It's so intimate and raw and in-the-moment. I'll keep all of your information in mind while planning and may reach out to you for further input as I'd like to also have audio or video stories incorporated into the project at some point. Thanks so much for your comment and please share the link if you can. Best, Amy Dixon @amyrnbsn on Twitter

by amyrnbsn

11 months ago | Reply

Hi! It's Amy - the person with the Amplify idea. I've been a nurse for 15 years in Critical Care, Home Care, Hospice, Telephone Triage, Education, and Telehealth. Of all the years that I've been a nurse I've come to realize how important story really is. When I listen and hear what individuals in my care have to say it provides a much more holistic understanding of the experience of their illness. The goals of Amplify: 1. Merge the art and science of healthcare 2. Advocates and clinicians will participate in the storytelling but the patient is the headliner at this event. Patients are the center. 3. Affordable tickets (under $20-30). Have you been able to afford certain national healthcare events? Multiple conferences? Congratulations, if so, but let's see more diversity. Diversity is achieved by better and affordable access to these events. Storytelling shows involve a grassroots effort. Unconferences. Open Forum. Open Source. Relaxed. Casual. Music. A band! 4. Change culture. The focus will be humanity, teamwork, collaboration as the storytellers will participate in a moderated discussion of a specific theme after sharing their stories. (Similar to Twitter but in real life.) Also open to suggestions of what you might want to see at a healthcare storytelling event.

by amyrnbsn

11 months ago | Reply