Comments on: Friend's father is dying - how does he prepare?

Question: Friend's father is dying - how does he prepare?

OpinioNate — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 16:26:54 -0800

I'm trying to find an NPR interview/piece on recording the stories of elderly family members for future generations. I recently learned that a friend's father is dying of Lou Gehrig's disease and has been given between 18 months to five years to live.

I'm trying to come up with ideas for him to make the most of the time he's got left with his father. One thing that struck me was an NPR piece that involved recording elderly family members telling stories from their past so future generations could hear their voices, but I'm having trouble finding the interviews on their site.

He's also planning a trip with his father to next year's World Cup in Germany.

Anyone else have experience with this sort of thing? Any other ideas for him? Thanks in advance.

By: SashaPT

SashaPT — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 16:33:01 -0800

I think you're looking for Storycorps. The project started with a booth in Grand Central Terminal.

By: OpinioNate

OpinioNate — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 16:43:42 -0800

Yes! I believe that's it. Thanks.

I'm still open to any other ideas, or similar experiences people have had with this.

By: Alison

Alison — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 16:59:45 -0800

Here is the NPR story you're looking for.

By: vetiver

vetiver — Tue, 21 Jun 2005 17:34:14 -0800

OpinioNate, you (or your friend) might want to check out Transom -- practical, hands-on advice for non-professionals who want to record audio.

The Smithsonian Folk Life folks have put out a guide for recording oral history -- more focused on how to initiate the interview, ask questions, etc., though there is some tech info. (It's always worth poking around in the Folk Life archives -- some truly stupendous audio there.)

This must be such a shock for both your friend and his father. I'm glad you're helping out.

By: OpinioNate

OpinioNate — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 09:55:18 -0800

Thanks for the great suggestions and links everyone. This will be a good start for me.