Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Specialization

Communication and Leadership

School or Department

School of Leadership Studies

First Advisor

Dr. Heather Crandall

Second Advisor

Dr. Joseph Albert

Abstract

This project will provide a guide to support pediatric oncology patients. The manual will describe how to develop, implement, and train volunteers to incorporate a communicative art class in the hospital. The desired goal for the class will be to provide a safe environment where pediatric oncology patients feel free to communicate an aspect of their narrative through art and storytelling. The Narrative Paradigm Theory is based on the perspective that human beings are naturally storytellers and that stories should have consistency and credibility. Art that they create will be used as the platform for the sharing of their narratives. The narratives that will be shared by patients are their personal stories. Narration is described as, “symbolic actions-words and/or deeds-that have sequence and meaning for those who live, create and interpret them” (Fisher, 1984, p. 2). This program has the potential to reduce stress, increase coping, and even help with healing.

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