Storyline:
A friend (Samantha) is struck with a chronic illness of some sort. They may or may not be bed-ridden but the illness is severe enough to disrupt their daily lives. Samantha's friend, Roberto, is unsure of what to do. As a non-sick person, he is not sure how to relate to Samantha's condition. Therefore, he goes online and orders a set of the "Empathy Illness Objects" for himself and Samantha. The set includes two objects - one for Roberto and one for Samantha. Roberto carries his around with him at all times - it serves as a reminder of Samantha. Samantha puts hers in a highly visible place where she will be able to see it repeatedly throughout the day.
Roberto's object requires his attention and care. It sporadically vibrates, beeps, or lights up to remind him of his friend and to simulate what having a chronic illness could be like. Chronic illness affects one of every five Americans. If we do not die an accidental tragic death, most likely we will experience a chronic illness sometime during our life. When Roberto responds to his object, it sends a signal to Samantha's object - reminding her of her community that cares for her.
This object set addresses three needs:
1 - It reminds Samantha of her friends and those who love her, therefore helping her endure whatever illness she is facing (in some subjective measure).
2 - It allows Roberto to stay connected to his friend and reminds him to think of her.
3 - It allows Roberto to undergo a small symbolic simulation of what a chronic illness could be like. A chronic illness acts up unexpectedly and requires your attention. Your response matters, for your own sense of health as well as for others involved.
I need your opinions:
1 - After reading through this scenario, what are your initial thoughts? Does it make sense? Would you be interested in using it?
2 - If you are Samantha, what kind of object would you prefer to have? Would it be a decorative object such as a photo frame that lights up, a functional object that you use for something else in addition to this? What type of object would be most helpful to you in this situation?
3 - If you are Roberto, what kind of object would you prefer to have? Would it be abstract and conceptual - something you add to the things you already carry around each day? Or would it be more functional - attaching to a beltloop or something so you wouldn't forget it?
Please feel free to comment. The project is an exercise... I value all honest feedback!!!!
2 comments:
1. this story makes sense to me, my grandma suffered from chronicle illness before so i had the similar experience. I would be interested in using it.
2. i would say i want a functional object because i may stay home for whole day and the priority would be function, not decoration. I think a helpful object would be a mobile device or something like that (or a nurse).
3. If I were Robert, I would say I may need a alert that can remind me all the time. and I think I what to carry it with me all the time, so it would be a watch, glasses or earring that i can wear all day long.
good luck and cheers,
Jerry
Yes it makes sense. I would use it if it were something that was easy to carry wear...like a pendant,ring, or bracelet.
Same for Samantha, maybe they are matching rings? The image shows something that resembles a baby monitor. I agree that something that is multi-functional like the picture frame might be more practical.
I like the idea of the symbolic simulation. No matter what the trigger(lights, buzzing,etc) it is a reminder and allows him to use his imagination to try and empathize with her pain.
I do wanna know is it always beeping, buzzing? or only when she has pain? Is it a constant reminder? Something that is constantly reminding you might be too much to bear esp if it's a terminal illness. Does it have to do anything? Can it just be a symbolic artifact?
very cool idea Nikki..as always! make one!
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