Communication and creativity cont.

Photographs, life story work and literature
Photographs are particularly useful with people who have expressive language problems and have been used in a variety of contexts (see Jackson & Jackson, 1999). From a bereavement perspective, photos of the person who has died, family members, holidays, special events and places can be used to develop a life story or memory book. Life story work revolves around the individual, has multiple functions, and provides a unique heritage about that person and can be developed with anyone (regardless of levels of ability). The process of creating a life book can also serve as a vehicle for acknowledging the present, exploring the past and planning for the future They can be constructed as a book, as a folder or box, involve video or audio footage, and photographs and should involve the input of families friends and carers. Life story work is a valuable and useful resource generally, but when a bereavement occurs information from the life book may be helpful in assisting the person to deal with the death Additionally, information about the death can be incorporated in the life book as a natural event. Memory work is similarly developed, but has a specific focus (i.e. is usually around a person who has died)

Example Two: Life story work
Miss C has a learning disability, lived in a large institution and has limited communication skills. She lost contact with her family, but continued to frequently talk about her father to the care staff.

The institution where she lived faced closure. In order to help her through the resettlement process, the care staff started a life story book with her. They approached her father to get some background information and photographs. Her father willingly gave the information and started to visit Miss C. again, which pleased her immensely.

The life book helped Miss C. when she moved to a new home and new carers The carers were able to read about her history and discuss the contents of the book with her.

The life book came in useful again at a later date when her father died. The care staff were able to help her add details to her book which helped her through the bereavement.

Keeping photographs can help individuals to retain memories of the deceased in a concrete way. This is particularly important when considering the multiple losses that are so often experienced by people with learning disabilities following a bereavement. Photographs can help the person to maintain a sense of self amidst all the changes that are occurring. If individuals have to move home and change Day Centre placements, they may find themselves without anyone who knows their life history.

When individuals with expressive communication difficulties have suffered a bereavement, a useful approach is to help them make a small album of photos of their loved one, which is always available to them. If they attend a Day Centre then a duplicate album should be available there Such albums can also be used to quickly initiate interaction with staff about what has happened. They may also be useful as a way of gauging how individuals are feeling by assessing their reactions.

Example Three: Using a photo album
The father of John, a young man with autism, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. John has no speech but was obviously aware that his father was very ill.

The family and staff at the Day Centre collected photos together so that John could have a permanent reminder of his father. A copy of the album is kept at the Day Centre in a place John can access independently.

Now, 3 years after his father's death, John will get his album out and smile at the photos of him and his dad doing things together. (John also had home videos of him and his dad together, which he likes to watch from time to time.)

Next or Back to A Guide for Professionals Offering Bereavement Support