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Tuesdays...a legacy of your life, in your words.
How does the "Tuesdays" program work?
What should I talk about during the "Tuesdays" conversation/interview?
What if the writer asks me questions I don't want to answer?
Will I see the story before the final copy is printed?
Will I get a copy of the taped interview? Will my family?
I'm interested in sharing my personal legacy through the "Tuesdays" service. How do I go about
getting this service?
Tuesdays ... a legacy of your life, in your words.
Words can be powerful. They entertain and intrigue, comfort and inspire. They take people
to places they've never seen before and remind them of places they've seen. And now, through
Tuesdays, a special service of Sparrow Hospice Services, it's our hope they will also heal.
By special invitation, hospice patients may "wrap" their own gift of words for their families
and loved ones, a lasting tribute to their lives, their spirit, and their personal legacies.
How does the "Tuesdays" program work?
Volunteer Tuesdays writers meet at the convenience and comfort of the individual hospice
patient and engage in a personal, one-on-one conversation. The conversation may take place
in the person's home, at Hospice House, at the patient's bedside or in their favorite room.
The "interview," if agreeable with the patient, is recorded so the writer can work efficiently
and make best use of the time shared with each person. An interview might last an hour,
might include a follow-up visit or telephone conversation, or could occur over the course of
several hours or meetings. The writer and patient together craft the way the story will be
put together, just as they craft the story itself.
From that conversation, or interview, the writer prepares a "life story" of the individual,
prints it on special Tuesdays letterhead, and inserts it in a keepsake binder. The patient
decides when to share their words with their loved ones. The bound copy becomes a lasting
gift from the patient to the family.
What should I talk about during the "Tuesdays" conversation/interview?
There is no "right" topic or approach to your life story. Maybe you'll want to recall and
get in writing special memories you've shared with your loved ones, memories you hope will
bring them peace and comfort. Maybe there are special words from your heart you'd like to
leave as a legacy of your life. Or, perhaps you only wish to share the chronology of your
life and the significant events in your life. You decide. The Tuesdays writer may contact
you before the interview/conversation to answer any questions you have, or to get an idea of
how you'd like your gift of words to be presented.
What if the writer asks me questions I don't want to answer?
This is your story, and you can decide what you want to talk about. The writer will try to capture not
only the facts and events of your life, but also your spirit. The conversation/interview remains confidential
between the writer and the patient, as does the final piece - it's up to the patient to decide when they will
share the story with family members and loved ones. Remember, most of all, that this is your story, your words,
your legacy and your gift.
Will I see the story before the final copy is printed?
Whenever possible, the Tuesdays writer will work with your hospice nurse or hospice staff
member to get a copy for you to review and to make changes before a final copy is printed and
bound for your family members.
Will I get a copy of the taped interview? Will my family?
In order to maintain the highest level of confidentiality for our hospice patients, and in
accordance with guidelines governing patient confidentiality, the tape may not be turned
over to patients or family members. Only the writer has a copy of the tape.
I'm interested in sharing my personal legacy through the "Tuesdays" service. How do I go
about getting this service?
The Tuesdays service is free. All you need to do is let your hospice nurse or a Hospice House
staff member know you're interested. Our office will contact an available Tuesdays writer
and pass along your telephone number, address, and any pertinent medical information the writer
will need to know for your safety and well-being. Any such information provided to the writer
remains confidential.
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