See the Trees, Then the Forest

A LifeBio Class Perspective

SeniorNet Tampa

Meet Jo Ann Sanderson

Born:  November 8, 1936Birthplace:  Massena (Cass County) IowaCurrent Residence:  Temple Terrace (Tampa) Florida My Childhood FavoritesDoll: A beautiful doll with a china face.

My mother would make clothes for it.Games: Hide-and-Seek and HopscotchTV Shows: After TV came out, I liked “I Love Lucy”.

Some Great, Memorable Moments While Growing Up•Traveling on the train each summer with my mother•Learning how to play the piano and organ—good enough for church and Job’s Daughters! •Using a mangle to iron underwear, socks, tea towels, •My grandfather teaching me to drive at the age of 13, on his 1936 Chevrolet pickup that was built the year I was born. 

Jo Ann at Age 3

Jim and Jo Ann Sanderson, today

Jo Ann’s WisdomWords of WisdomLive each day to the fullest. Treat others as you would want to be treated. It takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown, so smile!

Greatest Joys in LifeMy marriage of 48 years to a wonderful guy. Our children and our three granddaughters are our joy.

Greatest SorrowsLosing our son at the age of 34. My mother not living long enough to see my wedding or her grandchildren. What advice would you give to future generations about love? Listen to your heart and find someone you enjoy being with--not just doing things--but quietly reading, dreaming about your future, and working hard toward your goals in life.

Jo Ann’s High School Senior Picture - 1958

Research• “Autobiography for Older Adults is Like

Chocolate for the Brain,” – Gene Cohen, author of The Mature Mind

• Dr. Andrew Weil, author of Healthy Aging, recommends creating an ethical will.

• Erik Erickson– Ages 60 to 74 - “Ego Integrity vs. Despair” – Introspection

and development of wisdom, creating a sense of community– Age 75 Years to Death - “Immortality vs. Extinction” -

Positive outcomes come from life review, coming to terms with the past and accepting death with a sense courage and without fear.

• Studies of reminiscence show– Increases life satisfaction & decreases

or prevents depression

Benefits of the Course• New course to offer• Attractive course for people 50+

especially – opportunity to invite younger participants

• Intergenerational involvement is possible.

• Helping people create a wonderful gift for their loved ones

• PR and media opportunities abound-- tell the story of your amazing seniors!

What is “Writing Your Own Life Story” About?

• Provides a background on WHY our stories are powerful

• Provides exercises to help people get to know each other and prompts memories to flow back to “top of mind”

• Intergenerational involvement is possible.

• Helping people create a wonderful gift for their loved ones

SeniorNet Tampa• Operates alongside LIR, a Lifelong

Learning Institute

• In operation since 1993

• SeniorNet seeking to “freshen” curriculum

• LIR has been offering Writing Your Life Story continuously since 1997

• To date 40 such Life Story writing classes offered

Obstacles to SeniorNet’s “Writing Your Own Life Story”

Class• Is it technology training?

• Perceived security & ownership issues

• Will a SeniorNet instructor teach it?

• Can we differentiate it from Writing Your Life Story?

• Will anyone sign up?

The Pilot Class

• Summer, 2006

• 6-session class, open to volunteers

• 12-seat class filled within 24 hours

• 6 men, 6 women

• Instructor staff member (30-something F)

• Coach = targeted future instructor (M)

Obstacles Redux

Student concerns we heard

• Who would care about my ordinary life?

• Who would want to read it?

• Where do I start on such a project?

Outcome: [Most] Obstacles Overcome

• “Advanced” class learned the system early

• Focus shifted to anecdotes & memories

• Memories triggered

• Attempts to bridge broken family ties

• Acknowledgement of legacy, and passing it forward

Connecting Classmates…

“It was evident after the first class how connected the group of 12 was becoming . . .the LifeBio course brings a different dynamic to the typical SeniorNet class” - Tom Kochansky

Tampa’s Feedback

LifeBio provides . . .– Starting point– Structure – Safety

to what can be perceived as ‘an overwhelming project’

“It helps you see the forest and the trees!”

- Angie Denninger

Sharing Stories…

“The encouragement to share stories if we desired made the class a fun and enjoyable learning situation. You were not required to share any unpleasant memories. But, writing about them sometimes does put closure to them.” – Jo Ann Sanderson

Creating a Legacy…

“The class . . . stirred up memories from my past that I had not thought of in a long time. As Seniors we have a tendency to forget some important things, but sharing our experiences was a valuable tool in writing the Life Stories to be passed along to children and grandchildren.”

– Jo Ann Sanderson