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Internatonal Digital Storytelling Festival
2024
My last “Standing Back Up” Story posted here takes place over 8 thousand kilometers away from home: in Zakynthos, Greece.
But first, let me explain the “echo”. Long after the surgery, and bulk of the “Standing Back Up’ stories happened, there was lull in my life. Silence. Now what?
I was reminded I that I am “STILL Melissa” by a video created with Todd Goold of the BT Foundation and Mike Lang of Digital Storytelling. video below (also posted in ‘My Story” in the website menu).
Echo: A couple years later, I was invited to enter my video to THE 1st Annual “International Digital Storytelling Festival” AND go to the fest in Zakinthos Greece! It was exciting to get an email back congratulating me for my successful submission. The video could inspire more people!
I brought with me my bestie from back in our teenage- young adult days: Ashley, who together, we put the word “fun” in “DysFUNctional” back then. So, off we went… We met so many people with incredible stories! Especially fellow Canadian BT survivors and their spouces
Yes there was dancing and plate smashing, breathtaking views and a breathtaking church. Oh, and driving in surrounding areas? Yikes!
So grateful for the fest for their generosity to cover our accommodations and meals.
Admittedly the hundreds that attended the fest theatre dwindled down to about a dozen by the time most videos played. Although kind of selfish, it’s understandable- we were in greece!! A once in a lifetime experience for many. To be fair, the organizers worked SO hard at putting this together (Shoutout André!)- so there were lots opportunities to improve in keeping attention if hosting in the future.
A highlight moment was when witnessing a recent fellow survivor (Tash) see her video up on the big screen, and bursting into tears. I get it. If you’re reading this, You’re awesome girl, I adore you! My blubber was when I hit my 10 year ‘brainaversary’ (2022) and was surprised with a video of all the key peeps in my life congratulating me.
By the end of the trip it was clear- this trip was meant to be Ashley and I going away together – just like 20 something years ago. The best moment with her was when she called me over to take this picture to send to her Mom- desperately asking for help because we’ve been put in jail.
Yes, I am “STILL MELISSA”.
