Up,

I think you're heading in the right direction by switching to a first person narrative. Also, with regards to back-story, I would add around 3 sentences to each main point in your script to allow your audience to connect to the situation by sharing commonalities, even if they are really mundane. There has to be a connection. Does that make sense?

Best,
Rachel

I've never watched Sex in the City mostly because I just don't watch that much television. I think that I understand about writing in the first person though.

I can't draw a stick figure. Would you be able to use clip art? Evie (batgirl) is very good at drawing maybe she would be willing to help you. I haven't seen her around lately so maybe you would ask her step mom, Kathy, if she is feeling well enough to contact her.

I will do some more thinking about this and give some feedback when I get something worth mentioning.

Also, Rachel makes a good point about letting the audience connect in some way. You would need different nationalities and a variety of people with different stereo types. For instance, one wouldn't think an upper class woman with a good job and up bringing would be a victim of incest or rape, but it happens.

Tammy

Would all those new sentences be before the existing script? Would they be directly related to each point or is that just a rough guide for how much more script I need?

This is a great venture! I really believe anyone diagnosed with PTSD and the people in their life have an education video as a resource and overview of possible symptoms, conditions, and situations that could occur.

As an educator I know students do not always get it when it is in writing, BUT give them a demonstration or video clip or visual (diagram/pictures) they have that ah-ha moment.

One trick I use with my students (all ages really - mostly 14-18 yrs) is to emotionally or sensory bonding them to the lesson if I can. It is very powerful. EX: Severe thunderstorm - have them describe their feelings during past storms, what was it like when the power went out, what scared them the most? etc...

If somehow you can evoke emotion while informing the audience they will have a much better retention of the information. Let me give it a try ...

While explaining a flashback, have the learner (actor) describe a daydream(like a car accident) to the PTSD sufferor, The (actor) with the PTSD then describes how they may experience a flashback of the 'car accident' as a direct comparison to the difference in severity. In addition to the physiological effects and disorientation of the flashback experience that lingers afterwards.

People often try to relate new information in the context of anything familiar in their experiences to understand the content. You need to take them from their initial connection to the next level for them to see the difference.

I hope this makes sense. I would be glad to help you out with this project in July and August when I am on Summer Break. For the first time in 20 years I am not working over the summer except in a local coffee shop a few days a week for socialization. At least that's the plan.

Cindy

Sounds like some good ideas... don't know what my life will be like this summer but would definitely like to work on it.