Graphic Novel
The graphic novel format is a popular and powerful way of communicating.
This innovative project brings together an artist, a clinical psychologist, 17 teenagers and a project manager from Nowgen. The teenagers have all contributed their experience and expectations of healthcare, treatment and medical research. The other team members have facilitated the process to ensure the best storyline is developed.
The project is now nearing completion and the book is expected to be printed in autumn 2008.
The image below shows the central character – Alisa
Background
Nowgen is creating this fictional novel to share the perspectives of young people with restricted growth conditions.
The book will be called Alisa’s Tale: A Short Story. It will raise awareness of these conditions and ultimately we hope that it will influence healthcare services. More broadly, we hope it will help create a better understanding in society towards people who are different, and help to reduce feelings of isolation for people with restricted growth.
Drama Workshops
The ideas behind the story were developed during drama workshops in the summer of 2007. The workshops allowed the teenagers to discuss issues and improvise situations.
Al Davison, an established graphic artist and graphic novelist, was joined by Amy Silver, a clinical psychologist with a special interest in drama, to help run the theatre workshops. Al and Amy delivered the workshops to engage the young people in thinking about the way the condition has affected their lives.
Progress to date
The first draft of the 56 page novel was recently completed and Al is currenly working on the final images.
The final version of the novel is expected to be printed in the summer of 2008. It will then be disseminated widely to:
- Schools
- Patient Support Groups
- Clinics
- GP surgeries
- Specialist Health Professionals
One of the final images is shown below.
Investigators
Kate Mathieson, Helen Middleton-Price
