The Power of Stories

by Deborah Dunleavy

Melissa rocked back and forth in her chair, her arms cradled around herself. She mumbled “I hate cats. I hate cats.” As I entered the hall I immediately realized that making eye contact with Melissa would be impossible and I knew that she was just one of a dozen special needs adults that I was hoping to touch with my storytelling that night.

I had been invited by BACLA (Brockville and Area Community Living Association) to use storytelling with this struggling group of mentally and physically challenged adults. While I knew very little about working with special needs adults I knew a great deal about storytelling so I put all of my trust in the power of the stories to carry us through.

Like Melissa all of the participants had been raised in an institution. They had only recently been moved to residences where they were learning to integrate into society. They ranged in age from 25 to 60 years old and their social skills were fairly limited.

One night a week for several months we gathered to explore storytelling. Each time I was met with unbridled enthusiasm and they showed me that they had a great desire to do well and to feel proud of their accomplishments. Soon the room was full of smiles, applause, and joyful involvement. We decided to call ourselves “Smile & Company”.

Over the next few seasons we went from doing nursery rhyme story presentations for children to interpretive scenes from Shakespeare. And Melissa became a host who welcomed the audience as she handed them their programs.

Indeed storytelling had provided a tool for healing, an avenue for teaching respect, and a means of empowering the individuals to do their own personal best. The case workers shared with me that even in their residences the participants in the storytelling group were showing more respectful behavior and they had more self confidence.

While I was working with “Smile & Company” my mother passed away. The participants shared a deepness of sympathy and a generosity of kindness as they felt my sadness. I will always hold my storytelling experiences with “Smile & Company” close to my heart. It is people like Melissa who over the years have taught me the power of stories.