|
|
Stories sought for Inishowen book
16.05.11
A GROUP has been formed
in Inishowen to record some of the stories of loss
in the peninsula. It is hoped the book,
provisionally titled 'Hear My Voice', will be
published later this year with the aim of providing
a therapeutic point of reference not only for those
who contribute their own stories but readers who
have suffered loss themselves and may learn
something from the contributors.
Buncrana man Noel Bradley, spokesman for the group
behind the project, says there has been a great
initial response. He said: “Having spoken to people
about the idea, there is widespread acknowledgment
that such a book would be a hugely positive
contribution to the whole area of dealing with loss.
Often people tend to clam up when the subject of
loss comes up, but it is a fact that talking about
loss – its effects on individuals, families,
friends, what helps people get through it,
identifying the challenges, etc – is a big step on
the road to gaining some peace of mind.” |
An open invitation is
being extended to Inishowen people to contribute
their story for consideration to be published in the
book:
“People can contact us directly with their own
story. They can either submit their story themselves
or we can arrange to meet them to help piece it
together through an interview.”
Potential topics include: emigration, death,
suicide, religious divide, asylum, education,
Alzheimer’s, mental illness, autism, broken
relationship, drugs, alcohol, illiteracy, first days
at school, unemployment, abuse, illness, sport and
business.
Noel Bradley says that the theme of loss runs
through so many aspects of everyday life that
everyone has a potential story to contribute. |
 |
|
Noel Bradley. |
“It is important to
note that the book will be structured to have a
positive impactful message. While the reason people
have stories to tell in the first place around the
theme of loss might be regarded as negative, we will
be deliberately searching for answers as to what
helped, how a person got through their experience
and what they might do differently to cope with
their loss with the aid of hindsight. This could be
very helpful for people who are going through loss
right now or who will do so at some point in the
future. Any stories told already changes the
situation."
Anyone interested in telling their story can contact
Noel at 087 696 5554, Mary Kelly on 087 135 3780 or
Dónal Campbell on 086 809 5070. Alternatively,
enquiries or stories may be submitted to
hearmyvoicebook@gmail.com |
|
