Climax

“Stories do not appear on their own. They are lived, told, and re-produced in embodied experiences shared by/with others.”

-Nicole L. Defenbaugh

Revealing and Concealing Ill Identity: A Performance Narrative of IBD Disclosure, 2013.

Share what you have created with a family member for close friend. Ask them to share their perspective of the story. In a similar manner to which you began this process, perhaps they write out their narrative or record themselves. How do they talk about your invisible illness? What details do they add?

What was it like when you first disclosed your illness to this person? Did you find out the diagnosis together? How did this person react? How did they feel?

Does this person disclose your illness to others? How? Are there boundaries about disclosing your illness you want to discuss?

Use what your trusted conversation partner shares to help you build on your story.

After this, continue to edit your story, or perhaps begin another one if you have a new idea!