David’s Story
David always had time for a cup of coffee regardless if you were young or old.
You would never know that he had served in the US Department of State and served five US Presidents and participated in many historical events.
He would tell life haad been a serendipitous and joyful ride for an introverted Danish farm kid from Reno, Nevada.
And although beloved in his care home, the nurse knew none of this.
And he had always been there for me.
And now I really didn’t know how to be there for him.
Questions could quickly become judgemental and frustrating. My wife played a key role, prompting open ended questions that were easy to answer. I also realized that the stories he had loved to share were in danger of disappearing.
Out of this was born The David Project.
Resident stories
Ola’s Story
If David’s Story was the beginning. Ola Crain’s story was the next chapter. Watching my wife interacting with Ola and the nurses, helped me realize the importance of story and dignity. When they realized that this was a fiercely independent woman who had shoveled her roof in the winter at 70-years of age, they could see the spirit rather than the difficulty.
Again, like David, we could see that the care staff knew little of her background.
And as family, we realized what we did know was fragmented and uncertain.
The David Project 