Stuart’s Story in animation.  A partnership project.

Dementia is just one thing about me, not everything!”

The Animation Working Group was originally established to test animation as a new way of sharing rehabilitation advice for and with people living with dementia and their supporters.  The remit expanded to also include a focus on brain health with the information shared being relevant to all. You can find some our original work here and part two here.

Members of the Scottish Dementia Working Group and National Dementia Carers Action Network have been working in partnership with Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) and AHP students for over ten years.  The animations bring together the expertise of lived experience along with that of the AHPs in a co-design process, with everyone learning together. Different animation styles have been tested with the voice of lived experience narrating and bringing this to life, while also delivering our shared goal, to use animation to promote brain health and rehabilitation, led by people with lived experience.

A key benefit to this work is the opportunity for AHP students to learn from, and work in partnership with people with lived experience.  Stuart Dougall from the Scottish Dementia Working Group and Megan Roberts, MSc Physiotherapy student from Edinburgh Napier University share their experiences…….

Stuart’s words:

When I was first approached regarding working with a physiotherapy student, my first thoughts were what a great idea, what an interesting concept.  I was sure it would be an interesting experience for both of us but in reality, it was an absolutely fantastic experience for me. 

I first met Megan via MS Teams where I shared my journey, the highs and lows and to Megan’s credit, she wanted to learn all about me and my journey.  I was taken aback at her enthusiasm and thirst for learning.  So, after our first meeting, I was gobsmacked when she sent me “homework”, a really interesting in-depth questionnaire to complete regarding our future animation project.  Megan really has a real talent and desire to learn. 

Then we met for the first and only occasion face to face whereby this time Megan had completed all the groundwork, so from student, she was now director and producer, however we were in a small office with no equipment other than what was already there and her mobile phone. 

I was conscious we did not have any expertise in the animation field, but I feel this also makes it more real and meaningful, as we own it.   

So now that the animation is complete, would I do it all again, absolutely.   For me, working with a physiotherapy student on a project like this certainly has benefits with great potential going forward, not only just in something like this, but in many more aspects of their work. 

Working with Megan, was an absolute pleasure she has a great manner, makes you feel totally at ease and I’m sure she will make a great Physiotherapist and have a great future ahead of her.

Well done, Megan!

Megan’s words:

Having the opportunity to work alongside Stuart in a collaborative animation has been inspiring and eye opening. Getting to know Stuart and listen to his story in depth was something I personally wanted to do, to really hear his thoughts and feelings towards his diagnosis and how he lives his life. Stuart had a great attitude towards the project and showed a lot of enthusiasm towards me being a student. I was really intrigued to hear his thoughts on my pre plans for the project as I wanted to make sure this story was “heard as him”. I felt we worked together effortlessly and had a good plan of action going forward with the project.

Even though we met once MS Teams and once in person we managed to have laughs when making the animation in regard to videoing and reorganising the room around and holding all the pieces of paper up for his “story board”.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time getting to know Stuart, which allowed me to reflect on the way the animation was presented. I felt Stuart was owning his story in which I felt it was very important to see Stuart’s face when presenting in the animation. Everything within the project was thoroughly discussed down to the details of what Stuart listens to in the gym, which was important to him.

I think this is a great opportunity for students to collaborate with someone living with dementia as there is learning and deeper one to one understanding of the person.

I am proud to say it was a pleasure to meet Stuart & I am grateful for the patience, attention to detail and awareness that has been brought through this animation. Like Stuart said in the animation…“Dementia is just one thing about me, not everything!”

Thank you, Stuart!

We are delighted to share our animation with you and hope that many more AHP students can benefit from such a rewarding partnership experience.

Contributors

Stuart Dougall, Scottish Dementia Working Group @S_D_W_G

Megan Roberts, MSc Physiotherapy student, Edinburgh Napier University

Alison McKean, AHP post diagnostic lead, Alzheimer Scotland @AliAHPDem

Stuart shares his own story which has been made into a short animation built around the key points that have worked for him.