AWE Struck Aspirations

If you work or are interested in working with the senior population, please take a look at the blog post by Kristy Wolfe. She has a podcast called Leading Through Stories which is worth checking out too, if you're at all interested in Digital Storytelling and how we can enhance the wellbeing of the people we work with! https://kristywolfestories.com/2024/05/13/leading-through-stories-digital-storytelling-in-elderly-and-dementia-care/

Leading Through Stories: Digital Storytelling in Elderly & Dementia Care - Kristy Wolfe Stories In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, particularly in elderly and dementia care, there's a transformative tool gaining recognition: digital storytelling. Our latest podcast episode delves deep into this topic, guided by the insights and experiences of Lisa Joworski, a Common Language Digital...

Thanks for the opportunity to be on your informative and heart driven podcast, Leading Through Stories, Kristy Wolfe! It's an honour to be part of the Common Language Digital Storytelling community with others who believe in the power of life stories!

Send a message to learn more

It's that time of year again!! The Walk for Alzheimer's is on Saturday, May 25th and we've created a team called the Brain Train! If you're looking for a way to give back, please consider supporting this important cause that affects so many of us. We'll be walking in St. Thomas for the first time! The Alzheimer Society Southwest Partners do incredible work for our community! Thank you in advance! ❤
http://www.alzgiving.ca/goto/Lisa_Joworski

https://support.alzheimer.ca/site/TR/WFA/WFA_ON_LondonMiddlesex?team_id=28026&pg=team&fr_id=4858

IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's Register or donate now to help those living with dementia and their families.

Digital Storytelling (DST), which I also like to refer to as "Life Story Videos" is more than an idea, an interest or something I do to fill my time. It has proven to be even more powerful than I could have imagined.

Eventually, there will be more shared here about the videos I've helped co-create but for now, please take the time to listen to my friends and Common Language Digital Storytelling colleagues, Mike Lang and Kristy Wolfe speak about what we do and what CLDST is.

Taking the time to listen to people's stories is what connects us, builds trust and helps us remember how much we all have in common.

Send a message to learn more

Have you ever pondered the idea of writing your life stories? Or maybe you're looking for a way to reconnect with yourself. If so, this 8 week virtual group is for you!

Email me at [email protected] for more information or to register!

The whole reason AWE Struck! Aspirations exists is to increase awareness and reduce judgements for all, but mainly with a focus on giving a voice to those impacted by memory loss (i.e., people living with dementia, their loved ones and health care teams). Through the power of listening and learning about life stories, then capturing them in a meaningful way, we can create better connections.

Please take a look at the website, join the email list at the bottom of the page and if you think it would be valuable for someone you know, please share!

About | Awe Struck Aspiratio We help strengthen relationships, build awareness and reduce judgements and labels through the power of listening and learning about personal life stories.

Thanks to Whitney from Sacred Stories for bringing this podcast to our attention!

Listening and learning about people's stories is key to building great relationships and to enhancing quality of life for all!! I wish MemoryWell™ the very best in growing their initiative!!

BBC World Service - People Fixing The World, The power of a life story The power of a life story

Sometimes ideas come to us that people may say are just 'too hard' to bring to life. But when you feel that putting in the time and effort could dramatically change the way we approach health care, it's worth doing... regardless of how long it takes or how hard it gets. Although early in the journey, there are people who continue to believe in me and this initiative and help move it forward. I feel so fortunate that I have health care leaders and professionals who fully support me and this work, and see the value of , and !

I'm learning that if you have an idea that feels 'too hard' but you know it could ultimately change lives if you stayed with it, it's important to start somewhere and do it anyway .

Lisa Joworski, a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in the Geriatric Mental Health Program, has started a pilot project creating “life story videos” to enhance relationships between staff and clients.

Working with patients like Art, Lisa helps create videos that share the life story of a patient.

The videos can be used for legacy purposes as well as an educational tool for health professionals involved in their care.

Learn more about this pilot project: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/news/telling-a-life-story-an-experience-in-digital-storytelling

Beautiful day and a beautiful space for our GAB - Guided Autobiography introduction workshop today!

We learn so much from stories! If you have ever had an interest in writing your own life story/autobiography, I would love you to register for this one-time workshop where you will learn about Guided Autobiography! There are a few spots left and the even takes place on June 4th!
Is there someone in your life who you wish would capture their own stories for legacy reasons? Please pass this opportunity along to them as well!

Every year that passes leads to more and more reasons to support the Alzheimer's Society. Interested in helping me support their work? The link will lead to my participant page for this Saturday's Walk! Thank you in advance.

IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer's Register or donate now to help those living with dementia and their families.

Thanks to Danielle Joworski for having me on the show she hosts called In Studio! In the last 7-8 minutes, you can see our conversation about AWE Struck! Aspiration's Etsy shop and the resources available! https://www.rogerstv.com/show?lid=12&rid=22&sid=7633&gid=620907

In Studio - Full Episode This episode features Darren Hamilton, Susan Crossman, Angela Higgins & Lisa Joworski.

For the first time ever, my best friend friend since Grade 1 and I got away for a little one night creative retreat! We had time to catch up, laugh, eat, hike AND zone in on the "work" that fuels us. While she worked on her books, I worked on a new summer themed activity to add to my Etsy shop! It's finished just in time for Seniors Month in Ontario as well as for the official start of summer! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1247211181/sorting-and-matching-dementia-activity?click_key=93b37a420e4f17dfccae6e5435ef4bb15a3c7eb2%3A1247211181&click_sum=e81af320&ref=shop_home_active_2&sts=1

Digital storytelling is the key to what I've been thinking and dreaming about for years!! Thanks to Common Language Digital Storytelling, I now have the tools I need to help people (especially people with memory loss), to develop their own "life story videos" as I like to call them, created from their OWN words and from their OWN perspectives.

I just learned that I’m a Star Seller on Etsy this month! That means you can purchase from my Etsy shop knowing I have a record of providing an excellent customer experience. https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AwestruckAspirations?ref=shop_sugg

Oh, the caring and nurturing that the mothers in our lives give! 💞 Did you know that reminiscence and social simulation can improve mood and wellbeing for individuals living with dementia and can also increase feelings of belonging and connection? Visual cues like these can be very helpful! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1215705319/reminiscing-activities-dementia?click_key=23147df0da336d3f6b1079d723484d16e05695ed%3A1215705319&click_sum=97c62100&ref=shop_home_recs_1&crt=1

Reminiscing Activities Dementia Activities Matching and | Etsy Canada This is an instant download for Babies and Animal Activity Bundle. All digital downloads can be printed on 8.5 x 11 letter size paper or cardstock. You get: 4 pages of 9 high resolution photos (to be printed two or more times for sorting and matching). 4 pages of 9 observation questions relating to

Thanks to Karina Stickle and her Engaged in Rec podcast for welcoming me to share a bit about the evolution of AWE Struck! Aspirations!

*NEW EPISODE ALERT!*

Join me as I chat with Lisa Joworski, creator of AWEstruck! Aspirations while she shares her meaningful and printable activities specifically for individuals with memory loss. https://etsy.com/shop/AwestruckAspirations

https://open.spotify.com/episode/05RJLTESiaAxp6bfWShdy9?si=b81655e8ea2a4b10

AWE Struck Aspirations updated their information in their About section.

Etsy shows me that 9 people have this activity bundle in their online "basket"! I just wish I had even more time to create resources for people caring for individuals with dementia! :)

The Activity Page Bundle Cleanable Activities Printable PDF | Etsy Canada This is an instant download for the ‘The Activity Page Bundle’ which includes 5 pages of activities. When laminated, they can be wiped clean for re-use in an aged care facility, for example. Or, simply print again as you need them! These pages include life story questions (Conversation Qs), Fill...

We can't forget those cat lovers out there!!

Sorting and Matching Activities Dementia Activity Brain | Etsy Canada This is an instant download for Sorting and Matching Kittens & Cats. All digital downloads can be printed on 8.5 x 11 letter size paper or cardstock. You get: 1 page of 9 high resolution photos (to be printed two or more times for sorting and matching) 1 page of 9 observation questions relating to

On a roll!! Check this out! For all those baby and children lovers out there, this is a perfect activity to match and sort some beautiful little faces!

Sorting and Matching Game Dementia Activities Digital | Etsy Canada This is an instant download for Baby Sorting and Matching. All digital downloads can be printed on 8.5 x 11 letter size paper or cardstock. You get: 1 page of 9 high resolution baby photos (to be printed two or more times for sorting and matching) 1 page of 9 observation questions relating to baby

The newest edition to the Etsy shop! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1185072410/sorting-and-matching-activities?click_key=0817152a9286c4476cda24fea38bd43f133ecf6e%3A1185072410&click_sum=920a2a2f&ref=hp_rv-2

Sorting and Matching Activities Printable PDF Dementia | Etsy Canada This is an instant download for Sorting and Matching Puppies & Dogs. All digital downloads can be printed on 8.5 x 11 letter size paper or cardstock. You get: 1 page of 9 high resolution photos (to be printed two or more times for sorting and matching) 1 page of 9 observation questions relating to

There's an exciting little video clip added to my Etsy Shop! Take a look (only 15 seconds). Thanks to the important people in my life who helped to model the cards!!

Conversation 'q's Life Story Collection Instant | Etsy Canada This is an instant download for the ‘Conversation ‘Q’ Card Activity Kit’. Although this meaningful activity would be effective to use with many, it was created especially for caregivers to use with people with memory loss or dementia. The information gathered from a person’s responses can ...

The newest addition to my Etsy Shop! It's a clean, family fun version of 'Never Have I Ever'. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1191017261/have-you-ever-game-print-and-cut-cards?click_key=215faeca8a4ae811e38ca8f5247a051c6ef5d302%3A1191017261&click_sum=d5d59c1b&ref=shop_home_active_1

Have You Ever Game Print and Cut Cards Digital Download | Etsy Canada This is an instant download for the ‘Have You or Have You Not Activity Kit’. Although this activity would be effective to use with many, it was created especially for caregivers to use with people with memory loss or dementia. It was designed to be used as a failure free activity for social fun,

The very first printed package of goods from the Etsy AwestruckAspirations shop ever created, to be gifted to a school fundraiser. Hopefully it helped! 🥰