[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.15,0:00:03.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thirty years ago,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.42,0:00:05.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I walked into a nursing home,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:05.67,0:00:07.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and my life changed forever.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.89,0:00:12.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was there to visit my grandmother Alice.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:12.72,0:00:15.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She was a very powerful woman
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.98,0:00:20.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who had lost a battle with a stroke\Nthat stole her ability to speak.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.18,0:00:24.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Alice had just three forms\Nof communication left.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.77,0:00:29.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She had this sound\Nthat was like, "Tss, tss, tss,"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.97,0:00:31.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she could shift in tone
Dialogue: 0,0:00:31.90,0:00:35.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from emphatic, "no, no, no,"
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.25,0:00:38.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to enticing, "yes, you've almost got it."
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.70,0:00:43.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She had an incredibly\Nexpressive index finger
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.68,0:00:47.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which she could shake\Nand point with frustration.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.62,0:00:52.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And she had these enormous pale blue eyes
Dialogue: 0,0:00:52.41,0:00:55.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she could open\Nand close for emphasis.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.100,0:00:59.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Wide open seemed to say,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.03,0:01:01.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Yes, you've almost got it,"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:01.43,0:01:04.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and closing slowly
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.23,0:01:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was, well, it didn't really\Nneed much translation.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.39,0:01:11.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It turns out that Alice had taught me
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.86,0:01:14.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that everyone has a story.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.83,0:01:18.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Everyone has a story.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:18.33,0:01:20.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The challenge for the listener
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.62,0:01:23.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is how to invite it into being,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.59,0:01:25.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and how to really hear it.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.15,0:01:30.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, Alzheimer's and dementia,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.08,0:01:33.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these are two words that,\Nwhen you say them in front of people,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:33.50,0:01:37.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can watch a cloud descend over them.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:38.36,0:01:39.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can imagine me at dinner parties.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.90,0:01:41.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"What do you do?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.37,0:01:45.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Well, I invite people with Alzheimer's\Nand dementia into expression.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.74,0:01:47.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where are you going?"
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.06,0:01:48.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Laughter)
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.56,0:01:54.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fear and stigma wrap themselves\Nso tightly around an experience
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.75,0:01:58.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that affects 47 million people\Nacross the world,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.04,0:02:02.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they can live with this diagnosis\Nfor between 10 and 15 years,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:03.13,0:02:05.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that number, 47 million,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.70,0:02:09.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is supposed to triple by 2050.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.45,0:02:12.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Family and friends can fade away
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.75,0:02:14.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because they don't know\Nhow to be in your company,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:14.85,0:02:16.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they don't know what to say,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.68,0:02:18.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and suddenly,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.45,0:02:20.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you need other people the most,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.19,0:02:23.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can find yourself\Nreally painfully alone,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.18,0:02:27.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,unsure of the meaning\Nand the value of your own life.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.32,0:02:31.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Science is pushing for treatments,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.96,0:02:33.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dreaming of cures,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.88,0:02:38.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but loosening that grip of stigma and fear
Dialogue: 0,0:02:38.17,0:02:42.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could ease the pain\Nof so many people right now.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.38,0:02:47.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And luckily, meaningful connection\Ndoesn't take a pill.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.09,0:02:50.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It takes reaching out.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.52,0:02:54.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It takes listening.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.24,0:02:56.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it takes a dose of wonder.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.59,0:02:59.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That really has become my unending quest,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.84,0:03:02.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,set in motion by Alice
Dialogue: 0,0:03:02.01,0:03:05.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then later on by really\Ncountless elders in nursing homes
Dialogue: 0,0:03:05.100,0:03:07.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and day centers
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.26,0:03:10.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and those struggling to stay at home.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.63,0:03:12.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it comes down the question of how.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.91,0:03:17.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do you meaningful connect?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.21,0:03:21.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I got a big part of that answer\Nfrom a long-married couple
Dialogue: 0,0:03:21.22,0:03:24.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I'm from,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:24.18,0:03:26.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fran and Jim,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.70,0:03:31.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whom I met on a rather dreary winter day\Nin their tiny little kitchen
Dialogue: 0,0:03:31.53,0:03:35.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a humble duplex over by Lake Michigan.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:35.38,0:03:36.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And when I walked in,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:36.76,0:03:40.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fran and a caregiver and a care manager
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.26,0:03:42.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,greeted me really warmly,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.36,0:03:45.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Jim stood staring straight ahead,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.44,0:03:47.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,silent.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.93,0:03:51.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He was on a long,\Nslow journey into dementia
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.53,0:03:54.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and was now beyond words.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.02,0:03:58.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I was there as part of a project team.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.81,0:04:01.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were doing what we called\N"artistic house calls,"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.53,0:04:03.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a really simple goal
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.54,0:04:06.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of inviting Jim into creative expression,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.86,0:04:09.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hopeful in modeling\Nfor Fran and the caregivers
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.60,0:04:14.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how they could meaningfully connect\Nusing imagination and wonder.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.61,0:04:17.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this was going to be no small task,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.96,0:04:21.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because it turns out\NJim had not spoken in months.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:21.83,0:04:25.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Could he even respond\Nif I invited him into expression?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.51,0:04:28.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I didn't know.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.06,0:04:32.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Family members, when they try to connect,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.42,0:04:35.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,most commonly will invoke a shared past.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.86,0:04:38.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We say things like,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:38.22,0:04:39.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Do you remember that time?"
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.78,0:04:42.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But nine times out of 10,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.08,0:04:45.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the pathway for that one answer\Nto travel in the brain is broken,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:46.14,0:04:48.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we're left alone with a loved one
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.61,0:04:50.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the fog.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:50.74,0:04:53.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there is another way in.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.22,0:04:56.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I call them beautiful questions.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.67,0:05:01.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A beautiful question is one\Nthat opens a shared path of discovery.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.28,0:05:05.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,With no right or wrong answer,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.55,0:05:10.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a beautiful question helps us\Nshift away from the expectation of memory
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.22,0:05:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into the freedom of imagination,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.68,0:05:16.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a thousand possible responses
Dialogue: 0,0:05:16.67,0:05:19.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for people with cognitive challenges.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.47,0:05:22.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, back in the kitchen,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.07,0:05:24.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I did know one thing about Jim.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:24.10,0:05:28.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I knew that he liked\Nto walk along Lake Michigan,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.05,0:05:30.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and when I looked around that kichen,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.62,0:05:32.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I saw, over by the stove,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:32.62,0:05:38.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this trunk that was just covered\Nin little pieces of driftwood.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.11,0:05:39.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I thought,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.35,0:05:41.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"I'll try a question
Dialogue: 0,0:05:41.46,0:05:43.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that he could answer without words."
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.07,0:05:46.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I tried, "Jim,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:46.62,0:05:51.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can you show me how water moves?"
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.94,0:05:56.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It was silent for a while,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.22,0:06:01.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but then really slowly he took a step
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.74,0:06:04.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,over to that trunk
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.15,0:06:08.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he picked up a piece of the driftwood
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.84,0:06:11.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and he held it out,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:11.60,0:06:17.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then very slowly\Nhe began to move his arm,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.08,0:06:20.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,leading with that driftwood.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.02,0:06:27.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In his hand, it became buoyant,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.02,0:06:31.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in sync with the motion of the waves\Nthat he made with his arm.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.02,0:06:34.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It began this slow journey
Dialogue: 0,0:06:34.20,0:06:38.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,across calm waters,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.45,0:06:41.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this gentle rolling to the shore.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.48,0:06:48.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Transferring his weight\Nfrom left to right and back again,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.65,0:06:53.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jim became the waves.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.93,0:06:59.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,His grace and his strength\Njust took our breath away.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:59.53,0:07:01.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For 20 minutes,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.65,0:07:07.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he animated one piece\Nof driftwood after the other.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.04,0:07:10.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Suddenly, he was not disabled.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.21,0:07:13.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We were not gathered in this kitchen
Dialogue: 0,0:07:13.98,0:07:15.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for a care crisis.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:15.33,0:07:20.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Jim was a master puppeteer,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.03,0:07:21.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an artist,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.08,0:07:24.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a dancer.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.71,0:07:26.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Fran later told me
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.21,0:07:30.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that that moment had been\Na turning point for her,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:30.20,0:07:33.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that she learned how to connect with him
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.16,0:07:36.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even as he progressed\Nthrough the dementia.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.78,0:07:40.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it really became\Na turning point for me too.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:40.30,0:07:44.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I learned that this creative,\Nopen-ended approach
Dialogue: 0,0:07:44.34,0:07:47.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could help families shift,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.86,0:07:49.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,expand their understanding of dementia
Dialogue: 0,0:07:49.93,0:07:54.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as more than just tragic\Nemptiness and loss
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.96,0:07:57.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into also meaningful connection
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.02,0:07:59.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hope
Dialogue: 0,0:07:59.46,0:08:02.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and love.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:02.28,0:08:06.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because, creative expression in any form
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.12,0:08:08.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is generative.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:08.68,0:08:13.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It helps make beauty and meaning and value
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.30,0:08:17.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where there might have been\Nabsolutely nothing before.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.09,0:08:21.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we can infuse\Nthat creativity into care,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.73,0:08:26.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,caregivers can invite a partner\Ninto meaning-making,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.91,0:08:30.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and in that moment care,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:30.18,0:08:33.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which is so often associated with loss,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.84,0:08:37.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can become generative.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:37.70,0:08:40.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But so many settings of care
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.39,0:08:44.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,offer bingo
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.72,0:08:47.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and balloon toss.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.99,0:08:51.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Activities are passive\Nand entertainment-oriented.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.31,0:08:57.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Elders sit and watch and applaud,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:57.19,0:09:03.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really just distracted\Nuntil the next meal.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.78,0:09:07.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Loved ones trying to keep\Ntheir partners at home
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.97,0:09:10.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes don't have anything to do,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.77,0:09:13.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and so they resort\Nto watching television alone,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:13.38,0:09:17.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which compounds the symptoms of dementia\Nwith what researchers now tell us
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.55,0:09:22.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,really are the devastating impacts\Nof social isolation and loneliness.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:22.92,0:09:27.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what if meaning-making\Ncould be accessible
Dialogue: 0,0:09:27.45,0:09:32.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to elders and their care partners\Nwherever they lived?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.99,0:09:36.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I've really been totally\Ntransformed and captivated
Dialogue: 0,0:09:36.60,0:09:39.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by bringing these\Ncreative tools to caregivers
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.92,0:09:43.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and watching that spark\Nof joy and connection,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.69,0:09:47.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,discovering that creative play
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.23,0:09:51.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can remind them of why\Nthey do what they do.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.84,0:09:54.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bringing this creative care to scale
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.08,0:09:58.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,could truly shift the field.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.61,0:10:00.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But could we do it?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:00.32,0:10:05.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Could we infuse it\Ninto a whole care organization
Dialogue: 0,0:10:05.09,0:10:08.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or an entire care system?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.65,0:10:12.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The first step towards that goal for me
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.61,0:10:16.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was to assemble a giant team\Nof artists and elders and caregivers
Dialogue: 0,0:10:16.64,0:10:21.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in one care facility in Milwaukee.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:21.54,0:10:24.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Together, over two years,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.54,0:10:29.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we tackled reimagining the story\Nof Homer's "Odyssey."
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.42,0:10:34.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We explored themes.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.06,0:10:35.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We wrote poems.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.81,0:10:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Together, we created a mile-long weaving.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.95,0:10:43.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We choreographed original dances.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:43.24,0:10:45.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We even explored and learned Ancient Greek
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.83,0:10:51.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with the help of a classics scholar.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:51.22,0:10:56.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hundreds of creative workshops we embedded\Ninto the daily activities calendar
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.11,0:10:59.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and invited the family members\Nto join right along with us,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:59.08,0:11:06.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and had caregivers and staff\Nfrom every single area of care
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.79,0:11:09.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,collaborating on programming\Nfor the first time.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.32,0:11:11.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The culminating moment
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.42,0:11:13.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,was an original,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.92,0:11:15.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,professionally produced play
Dialogue: 0,0:11:15.59,0:11:19.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that blended the professional performers\Nright alongside the elders
Dialogue: 0,0:11:19.16,0:11:22.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the caregivers,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.35,0:11:24.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and we invited a paying audience
Dialogue: 0,0:11:24.60,0:11:26.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to follow us from scene to scene,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.35,0:11:28.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one in the nursing home,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.09,0:11:32.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the assisted living dining room,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.13,0:11:34.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and finally in the chapel
Dialogue: 0,0:11:34.34,0:11:35.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for the final scene
Dialogue: 0,0:11:35.92,0:11:38.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where a chorus of elders
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.59,0:11:40.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all playing Penelope
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.43,0:11:46.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lovingly welcomed Odysseus\Nand the audience home.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.08,0:11:50.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Together, we had dared\Nto make something beautiful,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.85,0:11:54.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to invite elders, some with dementia,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.07,0:11:55.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,some on hospice,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.95,0:11:59.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into making meaning over time,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:59.14,0:12:01.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to learn and grow as artists.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:01.96,0:12:05.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,All this in a place where people\Nwere dying every day.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.24,0:12:09.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I find myself now in a place
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.90,0:12:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I'm having to tackle this challenge
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.50,0:12:16.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of meeting a person with dementia
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.25,0:12:18.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,across that gap
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.22,0:12:20.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a more personal way.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:20.68,0:12:23.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At a family dinner over the holidays,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:23.46,0:12:26.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,my mother, who was seated next to me,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:26.12,0:12:29.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,turned to me and said, "Where's Annie?"
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.05,0:12:36.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My funny and beautiful and feisty mother
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.77,0:12:40.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.38,0:12:44.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I found myself in that place\Nthat everyone dreads.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:44.16,0:12:46.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She didn't recognize me.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.72,0:12:51.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I had to figure out fast\Nif I could do what I'd been coaching
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.36,0:12:53.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thousands of other people to do,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:53.18,0:12:55.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to connect across that gap.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.100,0:12:59.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"Do you mean Ellen?" I said,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.28,0:13:03.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because my sister's empty chair\Nwas just right across the table from us.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.93,0:13:06.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,"She just went to the bathroom."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.75,0:13:09.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And my mother looked at me,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:09.48,0:13:14.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then something deep inside sparked,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:14.46,0:13:17.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she reached out and smiled\Nand touched my shoulder
Dialogue: 0,0:13:17.88,0:13:21.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and she said, "You're right there."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:21.86,0:13:24.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I said, "Yes, I am right here."
Dialogue: 0,0:13:24.63,0:13:27.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that that moment\Nis going to happen again and again,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:28.18,0:13:32.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not just for me and my mom
Dialogue: 0,0:13:32.77,0:13:35.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but for all 47 million people\Nacross the world
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.58,0:13:40.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the hundreds of millions more
Dialogue: 0,0:13:40.81,0:13:42.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who love them.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:42.71,0:13:44.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How will we answer this challenge
Dialogue: 0,0:13:44.71,0:13:48.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that is going to touch the lives\Nof every family?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:48.91,0:13:52.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How are our care systems\Ngoing to answer that challenge?
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.69,0:13:57.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hope it is with a beautiful question,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.48,0:14:00.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one that invites us to find each other
Dialogue: 0,0:14:00.75,0:14:03.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and connect.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:03.91,0:14:06.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hope our answer
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.53,0:14:08.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is that we value care
Dialogue: 0,0:14:08.83,0:14:11.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that care can be generative
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.67,0:14:13.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and beautiful,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.99,0:14:18.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that care can put us in touch\Nwith the deepest parts of our humanity,
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.83,0:14:22.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,our yearning to connect
Dialogue: 0,0:14:22.39,0:14:25.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and make meaning together
Dialogue: 0,0:14:25.79,0:14:28.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all the way to the end.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:28.81,0:14:32.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thank you.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.20,0:14:34.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Applause)