Experiencing loss exercise

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Experiencing loss exercise

• Dr Rosalie Shaw

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• Form yourselves into small groups of 3 persons
• If possible, select persons you do not know
• There is to be no talking during this exercise.
  You will be given a chance to discuss your
  experience at the end of the exercise

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• You have been given 4 sets of coloured papers
• 4 pieces of red
• 4 pieces of blue
• 4 pieces of green
• 4 pieces of yellow

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Choose one set of coloured paper

• On each piece of this coloured paper you will
  write the name of a person who are very important
  to you. (These people must still be alive.)
• That is, you write the names of 4 people who are
  important to you one on each piece of paper

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Choose another set of coloured paper

• On each piece of this coloured paper you will
  write down an important role you play in your
  life
• For example
• DOCTOR or NURSE
• WIFE or HUSBAND
• MOTHER or FATHER
• TEACHER
• That is, you will write 4 roles one on each
  piece of paper

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Choose another set of coloured paper

• On each piece of this coloured paper you will
  write an activity you enjoy doing
• For example
• COOKING
• WALKING IN THE FOREST
• READING
• That is, you will write 4 activities one on
  each piece of paper

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Choose another set of coloured paper

• On each piece of this coloured paper you will
  write a precious material possession
• For example
• A SPECIAL PIECE OF JEWELLERY
• YOUR HOUSE
• YOUR CAR
• That is, you will write 4 possessions one on
  each piece of paper

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• 4 pieces - PERSONS
• 4 pieces - ROLES
• 4 pieces - ACTIVITIES
• 4 pieces - POSSESSIONS

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Instructions

• There is to be no talking during the exercise
• During this exercise, papers will be given up or
  taken away
• After the papers have been taken, please reflect
  what it feels like when persons, roles,
  activities or possessions taken away.
• This is what happens to our patients as they
  become very sick. They have to give up roles and
  activities. As they face death they also realise
  that they will be separated from loved persons
  and from their possessions.

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Step 1

• Take 4 papers of any colour and throw them into
  the basket as it is passed around
• Reflect on how you feel

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Step 2

• Give up 4 papers each must be a different
  colour
• If you have already given up all one colour, just
  give up 3 papers each of a different colour
• Reflect on how you feel

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Step 3

• Facilitators will go around and take any paper
  and any number of papers from each participant.
• Reflect on how you feel

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Step 4

• Form groups of 3 persons and discuss how you felt
  at each stage of the exercise

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Step 5

• You will be invited to share your experience
  during this exercise with the large group

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Step 6

• Remember that this is only an exercise.
• Re-orientate to present time and place
• If you are still feeling very distressed, please
  seek out one of the facilitators