These words on a bookmark from EMK Press reminded me of Bruce Anderson at Community Activators and what he taught my Partners in Policymaking class on telling our story. (Side note: Check out the awesome Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections book published by EMK Press.)

I blogged about our weekend with Bruce earlier this month. We learned a great deal about what motivates us to volunteer and give back, and how suffering produces blessings. But today, I’m thinking about the storytelling aspect of what we learned.

Nancy Bostock, who I blogged about earlier this week, has done an outstanding job of sharing her story (in two minutes no less) to the Florida Senate committee. This story has now been picked up by at least three different media outlets, and may be broadcasted to an even wider audience soon.

It got me to thinking what there was about Nancy, and her family being forced to relinquish custody of her son so that he will obtain the appropriate health care that got the media’s attention. It was the story itself.

I’ve only met Nancy once (this summer), but I was stuck at how sincere, articulate and passionate she was about learning all she could about attachment & trauma (at ATN’s conference). Yet I’m in awe that in two minutes she could turn the hearts and heads of reporters and senators. It was the story itself. And Nancy’s ability to boil it down into sailable points that everyone could relate to.

Many people can relate to needing help for their child but not being able to get it. Many can relate to being worried about all their children, especially if a situation puts them in danger. Most people want to believe that they would sacrifice and risk it all for their children. These were the keys to what Nancy communicated. As Bruce would advise, these were the commonalities between the storyteller and the audience that caused the audience to be able to personalize the story.

Nancy didn’t get hung up in her two minutes trying to explain what trauma does to an infant’s brain or what Reactive Attachment Disorder looks like. She didn’t go through the countless calls, letters and maneuvers they’ve gone through to try to avoid having to relinquish custody of their son.

And many people who were listening connected to the story – enough to put it on TV and in the newspapers.

This was the primary point Bruce Anderson made about storytelling with us – that telling our story was about affecting a change of heart within the listener…not about advocating for political or social change. As Bruce says:

“The focus for this kind of change rests not in the facts that rest in your brain, but the story that rests in your heart."

Nancy was speaking from her heart. If you have a similar story, you can too! Go here and add your story in the comments.


Related Blogs:

Suffering = Blessings

Giving Back: What Motivates You?

I'm Proud of the Company I Keep

Everyone Speak Up, We Need Services

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