Family Story Discussion And Home Visiting Update ✓ Solved

Family Story Discussion and Home Visiting Update

This discussion has three parts: a family story discussion and an update on your family home visiting. Choose one of the following stories to participate in the discussion thread:

• Fault in Our Stars novel by Green (2012) or Fault in Our Stars movie (2014)
• Still Alice novel by Genova (2009) or Still Alice movie (2014)

Part 1: Family Story Discussion

Using the blank construct grid, choose 8 constructs relevant to the family in the novel/movie and complete those rows of the grid. Share your completed constructs with your discussion group and explain why you chose them.

Part 2: Family Story Discussion - Fault in Our Stars

If you choose this story, engage with the discussion questions such as:

• Why do you think John Green chose to use the voice of a teenage girl? Was it effective? How would it have differed if told from another voice?
• What does the title "Fault in Our Stars" mean?
• How would you describe the two main characters, Hazel and Gus, in relation to their cancer?
• What does Hazel mean when she states, "Cancer books suck"?
• How do Hazel and Gus change over the course of the novel?
• Why is "An Imperial Affliction" by Peter Van Houten Hazel's favorite book?
• What are your thoughts about Peter Van Houten?
• Why was it important for Hazel and Gus to learn about the heroine’s fate after her death in "An Imperial Affliction"?

Part 2: Family Story Discussion - Still Alice

If you choose this story, consider the following questions:

• Why do you think the author named the book "Still Alice"?
• How is Alzheimer's not only Alice's diagnosis but also her family's?
• How does Alzheimer's affect roles within a household?
• Why do you think the narrative is third-person, reducing personal connection?
• Feel free to write your own question related to the novel and answer it.

Paper For Above Instructions

In this paper, we will explore the themes and constructs presented in both "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green and "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova, with a focus on the implications of family dynamics, health challenges, and personal growth.

The Fault in Our Stars: An Overview

"The Fault in Our Stars" is a poignant tale that revolves around two teenagers, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, who fall in love while battling cancer. Their relationship serves as a lens through which we can examine the constructs of familial relationships amidst chronic illness.

Relevant Constructs

Using the construct grid, the following eight constructs have been identified as particularly relevant to the familial experiences portrayed in the novel:

• Health Management: The way Hazel and Gus navigate their illness highlights the ongoing challenges of managing health in family contexts.
• Emotional Support: Their love affair showcases the importance of emotional bonds in coping with illness.
• Communication: The honest conversations they share reflect on the role of communication within families dealing with serious health issues.
• Identity: Both characters confront their identities as young adults facing mortality, a theme that echoes in familial perceptions of role changes.
• Grieving Process: The anticipation of grief and loss is a critical element that impacts family structure when dealing with terminal illness.
• Resilience: Gus and Hazel's resilience in the face of their cancers can be viewed as a model for families facing adversity.
• Hope and Acceptance: Their journey emphasizes the balance between hope and acceptance in challenging family dynamics.
• Social Support Systems: The support they receive from family and friends illustrates broader social connections that help families cope.

Character Analysis: Hazel and Gus

Hazel and Gus's relationship is defined by their shared experiences with cancer, which significantly influences how they perceive life, death, and love. Hazel's assertion that "cancer books suck" reflects her struggle with the romanticization of illness, underscoring the desire for realistic narratives that resonate with their lived experiences.

Conclusions on 'An Imperial Affliction'

In their journey, Hazel’s fascination with "An Imperial Affliction" illustrates the quest for closure and understanding in life’s narratives, particularly concerning death and its aftermath. The importance of such stories in family discussions cannot be overstated as they shape how families navigate grief and understanding.

Still Alice: An Overview

"Still Alice" follows the life of Alice Howland, a cognitive psychology professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. This narrative provides a compelling exploration of the impact Alzheimer's has not only on the individual but also on family dynamics.

Discussion of Constructs

The constructs relevant to "Still Alice" include:

• Diagnosis and Identity: Alice's experience reflects how a diagnosis alters family roles and identities.
• Caregiving Role Changes: As Alice’s condition progresses, the caregiver roles shift rapidly within her family.
• Emotional Strain: The emotional turmoil faced by both Alice and her family illustrates the broader implications of caregiving stress.
• Communication and Isolation: The difficulties in communication highlight how Alzheimer’s can isolate individuals within family structures.
• Perception of Reality: The exploration of Alice's changing perception challenges her family's understanding of her experience.
• Support Systems: The interactions with her family demonstrate different support mechanisms in coping with her illness.
• Hope and Acceptance: Alice’s journey emphasizes the delicate balance of hope amidst the fear of inevitable loss.
• Legacy and Memory: The narrative raises questions about memory and the legacy left for families when illness strikes.

Conclusions on 'Still Alice'

Alice’s narrative challenges readers to reconsider the implications of Alzheimer's on family structure, revealing the intricacies of care and the emotional landscapes families traverse when faced with such diagnoses. The title "Still Alice" encapsulates the struggle of maintaining identity in the face of irrevocable change.

References

• Genova, L. (2009). Still Alice. Pocket Books.
• Green, J. (2012). The Fault in Our Stars. Dutton Books.
• Clare, L. (2003). The Acceptance of Alzheimer's: Theories and Practical Considerations. Journal of Dementia Care.
• Subramaniam, P. (2011). Cancer and Relationships: Finding the Balance. Family Journal.
• Tucker, K. (2015). Challenges of Young Adult Cancer Survivorship. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
• Fitzgerald, C. (2017). Family Caregiving in Alzheimer's Disease: Challenges and Opportunities. Geriatric Care.
• Riessman, C. K. (2008). Narrative Methods for the Human Sciences. SAGE Publications.
• Katz, R. (2016). The Role of Communication in Family Caregiving. Journal of Family Communication.
• Walker, L. (2020). The Social Impact of Young Adult Cancer on Relationships. Journal of Cancer Survivorship.
• Scherer, S. (2014). Constructing Meaning: The Role of Stories in Family Relationships. Family Relations.