http://storycorps.org/listen/teresa-diane-tells-his-name-and-bonnie-buchanan/
Diane Tells His Name talks with her daughter, Bonnie Buchanan, about first discovering that she was an adopted Native American, and the decision she and her husband made to adopt a child from the same tribe themselves. It's understandable and relatable to hear a story of not fitting in, feeling out of place, even in your own family, and to generally think that you don't belong. It's uplifting to hear about her discovering why she was different, and being able to turn that into an improvement in the life of a child, as well as in her own.
My mother was adopted, and later on, she gave our sister (whom I never knew about until I was six) up for adoption. But now, she has become a part of our family, and her children along with her. I can see the meaning of such stories, of families brought closer together by isolation, because in many ways, it's my story.
Possible questions:
When did you first begin to realize that you were different?
What sort of things made you feel out of place in your family?
When did you find out that you were adopted?
What motivated you to adopt a child from your tribe?
What lead you to choose Bonnie for adoption?
1. Diane describes differences, both physical and mental, between her sister and herself, which led her to realize that she didn't fit in. This also establishes feelings of isolation, separation, and inadequacy, which is to be expected in such a situation.
2. When she talks about, "going through family albums looking for my face in old photographs," Diane shows her curiosity at such a young age, and her desire to know the truth, but also to see if she ever fit in at all.
3. She also says that when she saw old pictures of herself, "I didn't see me." This depicts her lack of identity when she realizes that she's an odd, mismatched piece in the puzzle that is her family, but she doesn't know why.
4. When she was finally told that she was adopted, Diane recalls a sense of relief and elation that she "wasn't crazy," and that the questions that had troubled her throughout her childhood had finally been answered.
5. Deciding to adopt a child from her tribe brings a full-circle sense of completion to her story, and shows how willing she is to take in the life she was not aware of for so long.
6. The brief anecdote regarding which child they chose to adopt brings a sense of levity and humor, as well as painting a more detailed picture of the relationship between this mother and her adopted child.
http://storycorps.org/listen/marcela-gaviria-and-dempsey-springfield/
This is the story of Marcela Gaviria and Dempsey Springfield, a young girl who nearly lost her leg to bone cancer, and a doctor who went the extra mile, not only to heal her, but to give her hope. Their trust and familiarity continues to this day because of his kindness and dedication.
The story of this doctor and patient goes to show how far an act of kindness can go, and what a difference an encouraging soul can have on the life of a child. Whether they be a doctor or a teacher or a parent, a simple gesture of kindness and good faith can spark an unforgettable change in a life.
Possible questions:
What was it like having Dr. Springfield as a doctor?
What was it like having Marcela as a patient?
Why do you still go to Dr. Springfield?
Has your relationship gone beyond doctor-patient over the years?
How does it feel to look at Marcela now, after all this time, and after all she's been through?
1. Marcela describes in detail what Dempsey was like, how he looked and acted, when he came to visit her in the hospital. It shows what an impression he left on her and how he made her feel in his efforts to cheer her up.
2.When Dempsey says that he kept moving and she kept following, she responds saying that she never trusted other doctors as much as him.
3."Every scar in my leg has something to do with you," is a line from the story that, given the context isn't as negative as it might sound. It shows that despite her hardship, she can still look at the marks that others might consider disfiguring and think of the kind man who helped her when she needed it most.
4. When Dempsey says that hers was the first wedding of one of his patients that he had ever attended, it shows the connection these two have.
5. He recalls getting up at the crack of dawn to get to the hospital early, showing his dedication to a patient, and his overall desire to help.
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