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Dec 2307

Feb0608

Annual Report / Annual Letter

Jonathon

Imagiscape Theatre Sincerely testing claims that caregiving is rewarding. Providing tools for developing a culture of care. Caregiving Takes Centre Stage – this is a tagline on some of our posters for Heal Thyself. On June 16-19, 1200 people from every continent converged on Toronto for the first Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging, and Technology, otherwise known as FICCDAT. Imagiscape was there with a poster presentation, 2 paper presentations (including dynamic discussion), and a performance in a special event open to all the conferences. Our performance was a new creation called Neurogenesis through Contact Dance. We have been studying neuroplasticity and the effect of movement and intention on developing neural pathways in the brain. It’s hard to imagine that scientists were so wrong about such a major fact about the brain until just over a decade ago. Earlier faulty studies – all based on a fundamental error ¹ – led the scientific community to accept that the adult brain cannot grow new neural connections, and cannot use existing connections for new purposes. Neuroplasticity is generating lots of hype – and real hope. Neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s can be prevented, or at least slowed down, Alzheimer’s and slowing down its debilitating effects. In a genre called “knowledge theatre” – using theatrical means to communicate scientific learning, Neuro-rehabilitation through Contact Dance blends sophisticated movement and scientific information – and great humor – and intense drama. Personal Support Workers said our presentations regenerated their dreams for what their work can be. A young mother of two who is also a professional caregiver said her life at home and at work would never be the same. Jonathon spoke briefly at the closing session of the conference about growing the global Caring movement by growing the concept of caregiving to unite caregivers’ movements and environmental movements, making both more mature and more hip. Caregivers of the Planet.org has just received a first draft. The Executive Director of Carers UK came to say that our paper presentation in the very first session of the conference was still far and away the most mind-opening and delightful experience of her trip. FICCDAT organizer and Director of Research at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Geoff Fernie, was delighted with our performance and engaged Jonathon in contact dance. Geoff offered to help our work find its way into research and practice. To give a brief review, we tested the show in 19 performances in a 2005 Fringe Theatre tour. We got 3 strong reviews, and a 4.5 star rating. (See: reviews.) In November of 2005, we officially opened Heal Thyself to full houses – and a CBC TV crew. We have performed the show for several communities including the Cerebral Palsy Organization’s 25^th annual 3-day Caregiver Conference. Our projects for 2008 (and 2009) are ambitious, and are best communicated in a post dedicated to that purpose (forthcoming). We will be gathering a board of directors to guide and support the vision to which we are committed. We are proud of our ability to produce big bangs for few bucks, but we are now working directly to develop a financial base for this work to continue and grow, for the wellness of families and caregiving facilities. All donations are tax deductible through the registered charity Imago. We would be happy to meet with any individual or group who would like to know more about our work and partnership opportunities. We have much more news, but we will keep this reasonably short for now. We hope you are enjoying health and love. Carlynn Reed 905-513-6122 Jonathon Neville 416-763-6565 www.imagiscape.ca

Imagiscape Theatre Sincerely testing claims that caregiving is rewarding. Providing tools for developing a culture of care.

Imagiscape works to raise awareness of the necessity and economic wisdom of supporting caregivers, and to elevate caregiving so people choose to be caregivers, identify as caregivers in all they do, and see everyone as partners in care.

Caregivers often find themselves playing a role they don’t like, in a script nobody likes. Imagiscape helps caregivers be aware of the possibilities and potential of the drama they are in so they will have confidence when ‘the curtain opens’ – every day. They explore to what extent caregiving can be a total creative workout, spawning neurogenesis for all partners. Their program “Advancing Your Play” helps caregiving families transform the story they enact and playfully transform from creatures of habit to creators of habits.

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