The Hero's Journey
Video
Intro
Stages of The Hero's Journey
The Study
“Many people think of having cancer/sickle cell disease as a type of Hero’s Journey. You might think about it as an experience in which you are asked to cross a threshold into a new world, face trials, find people who will assist you, experience problems or challenges, and ultimately come out as someone stronger, wiser, and braver than you were before. We hope you’ll help us create materials for future teenagers with cancer/sickle cell that will teach them about The Hero’s Journey and how it can apply to their lives. Over the next 10 days, we’d like you to take photos and write captions for those photos that include pieces of advice. We plan to put your photos and captions into an interactive website that future patients can use to guide them through this challenging time. Each day we will text you and ask you to do three things:"
Part 1:
Each day for 10 days
Directions
What stage are you in today?
- Road of Trials/Struggling
- Transformation/Coping
- Master of Both Worlds/Thriving
Part 2:
Part 2
Each day for 10 days
1. Take a picture of something CHALLENGING
2. Write a caption for the photo and give advice -->
For your photo of something challenging or hard, please first describe it - the more detail the better. What was this moment like? Where and when did it happen? Who was involved? How did it make you feel?
Caption Example
For example, if you took a picture of your medication, you might write, "This photo shows that sometimes you have to take a lot of medications to feel better." Of if you took a picture of your stitches you might write, "This photo shows that sometimes it hurts to have cancer/sickle cell, and it takes time to heal."
For your photo of something challenging or hard, after you describe what the photo is, please describe what this photo could teach others going through cancer/sickle cell disease.
Advice Example
For example, if you took a picture of your medications you might write, "this can teach others that even though it is no fun to take medications, they can really help you feel better and be able to get through this, and sometimes even save your life." Or if you took a picture of your stitches you might write, "this can teach others that it can be painful to have surgery, but healing takes one step at a time so you have to be patient."
Part 3:
Part 3
Each day for 10 days
1. Take a picture of something GOOD
2. Caption and advice
For your photo of something good, please first describe it - the more detail the better! What was this moment like? Where and when did it happen? Who was involved? How did it make you feel?
Caption
Example
For example, you might write, "This is a picture of the ice cream I got today,"
Or, "This is a picture of my mom. She is my support system."
For your photo of something good, after you describe what the photo is, please describe what this photo could teach others going through cancer/sickle cell disease.
Advice
Example
Or if you took a picture of your mom you might write, "This photo shows you are never alone and have people to help you stay on track."
For example, if you took a picture of ice cream you might write, "This photo shows that even when you are going through something hard, there are still moments in life that are sweet."
The Study - Overview
- Part 1: Hero's journey
- Part 2: Picture and caption of something challenging
Overview
- Part 3: Picture and caption of something good
Black Panther: A Hero's Journey
Let's Begin!
Black Panther
Call to Adventure
T'Challa, who lives in Oakland, California learns of the death of his father and King of Wakanda, T'Chaka. Doubts of his ability to be King challenge T'Challa when he has to fight M'Baku.
Call to Adventure
Meeting the Mentor
Once he is crowned king, and given the elixir, T'Challa gets a spiritual dream where his father gives him advice on being king.
Meeting the Mentor
Crossing the Threshold
T'Challa takes on the challenge of being king and soon his first challenge comes to him when he finds out about the stolen vibranium
Crossing the Threshold
Tests and Trials
Catching Klau, fight in the casino, car chase all are T'Challa's first challenges to preserve and avenge the theives of the precious vibranium.
Tests and Trials
Abyss and Temptations
T'Challa learns about Kilmonger's history and his Wakandan ancestry. They fight for the throne and T'Challa is defeated. He has another spiritual dream where T'Challa's father and elders insist a change in perspective on Kilmonger and his relation to Wakanda.
Abyss and Temptations
Transformation
After this new perspective, T'Challa challenges Kilmonger, defeats him and regains the throne.
Transforma-tion
The Road Back
T'Challa acknowledges that they could help more people if they open Wakanda and the use of vibranium to the ordinary world.
The Road Back
Master of the Two Worlds
T'Challa returns to the ordinary world to create an outreach program in Oakland to share vibranium and their knowledge with the outside world.
Master of the Two Worlds
Harry
Potter
Harry Potter's
Journey
Call to Adventure
Harry is living in the cupboard at 4 Privet Drive when he receives a letter to attend Hogwarts; Harry doesn’t believe he could be a real wizard
Call to Adventure
Meeting the Mentor
Hagrid takes him to buy his things for school at Diagon Alley
Meeting the Mentor
Crossing the Threshold
Harry takes the train to Hogwarts; Harry learns about his parents death via Lord Voldemort
Crossing the Threshold
Tests and Trials
Harry has to adjust to his new life at Hogwarts
Tests and Trials
Abyss
Difficulties approaching the Sorcerer's stone
Abyss and Temptation
Transformation
Harry works hard with his friends Ron and Hermione's to get through the barriers and finally makes it to the room where the Sorcerer's stone is hidden.
Transforma-tion
Road Back
Harry has to face Professor Quirrel and wins against him
The Road Back
Master of the two worlds
Harry returns to 4 Privet Drive for the summer with the knowledge that he is, in fact, a wizard in training.
Master of the Two Worlds
Pain Crisis: Heidi's Journey
SCD
Example
The Call
The Call
- Heidi was admitted to the hospital for a pain crisis.
- She knew that anything she did would not get rid of her pain, and she just wanted it to go away.
- She resisted the idea that she could do things to help her pain
- She wanted to withdraw until it was over.
- She had let her symptoms control her schedule (i.e., if she wasn't feeling well, she stayed in bed, didn't attend group, and didn't follow her schedule).
- Heidi’s call was to do something different to manage or cope with her pain.
Meeting the Mentor
Meeting the Mentor
There were several mentors who helped Heidi cross the threshold from her old way of viewing pain to a new path.
- She saw the example of other youth walking the halls, completing school work, and participating in group in the midst of their crises
- She participated in a Comfortabillity group
- Members of the care team (psychologist, nurse) helped her understand her mixed feelings about pain management skills and provided support.
Crossing the Threshold
Heidi experienced several setbacks in the hospital (e.g., her pain intensifying when she thought she was getting better).
These unpredictable setbacks made her realize that she couldn’t just wait for this to pass. She wanted to do something even if she didn't know what that something was.
Crossing the Threshold
Tests and Trials
- Heidi began following her recommended schedule, even though if felt pointless at first.
- She took small steps
- She tried new techniques (deep breathing, guided imagery, etc.)
Tests and Trials
Abyss and Temptations
- Heidi experienced fluctuations in her pain and some setbacks.
- She was tempted to give up on the schedule and techniques and ride out the crisis in her bed with medications.
Abyss and Temptations
Transformation
Right in the midst of it all, Heidi experienced some happy moments, small things that made her laugh or smile
It helped her to realized that even though it was harder to stay engaged during a pain crisis, it was worth it for all of those small moments.
She also realized that it was better for her in the long run.
Transforma-tion
The Road Back
When it was time to discharge, Heidi was actually reluctant to return back to school and a normal schedule.
She didn’t know how she would react the next time she had a crisis. She was worried to get lost all over again.
The Road Back
Master of the Two Worlds
Master of the Two Worlds
Heidi realized that she could both go back to “normal” life and incorporate the new skills and habits she had learned.
She knew that she could get lost and find her way again.
She also knew that no matter what happened, she could find things to appreciate and value in the midst of it all.
Cancer Diagnosis:
Kara's Journey
Cancer Diagnosis Example
The Call
The Call
- Kara was 14 years old when she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
- At first, she had no idea what to expect.
- She gradually realized how much the diagnosis would change her life.
“It’s a Force of change; It comes into your life and stops you in your tracks”
Meeting the Mentor
Meeting the Mentor
As she started treatment, Kara met a lot of people involved in her care.
There were several team members who helped her know what to expect and helped her to find her way.
Crossing the Threshold
Initially, Kara did not want to think too much about her diagnosis.
She wanted to get back to "normal" as soon as possible with as little disruption in her life as possible.
Crossing the Threshold
Tests and Trials
- Kara experienced many challenges during her treatment.
- Frequent appointments and extended hospital stays
- Disruption in life areas including peer relationships, school, future plans
- Feelings of loss of control and powerlessness
- Anxiety, frustration
- Bodily changes
- Painful, uncomfortable, fear-inducing procedures
- Side effects of treatment
- Seeing the stress, worry and pain of parents
Tests and Trials
Abyss and Temptations
Abyss and Temptations
- Kara’s focus on getting back to “normal” made each change in her prognosis or treatment schedule very difficult.
- She was tempted to engage in unhelpful thinking and behaviors
- Focusing on unhelpful thoughts (e.g.,“Why me?”)
- Ignoring the doctor’s recommendations
- withdrawing and shutting down.
- She was reluctant to do things that reminded her of how much had changed in her life (see friends, engage in activities she valued, like writing and dance).
Transformation
Transforma-tion
In the midst of her challenges, Kara unexpectedly had some really great moments.
For example, she shared her passion for writing with the school teacher in the hospital and began writing about her experiences.
Against the backdrop of her challenges, the things in life that she appreciated were brought into focus
She saw how much family and friends cared about her.
She got a new journal with amazing paper and pens
She read a book of poems that she found in the hospital library
She let go of the goal to “ be normal”
Instead she found ways to engage in things she loved even if the specifics were different from prior to her illness
The Road Back
The Road Back
Initially, Kara was reluctant to go back to school and participate in social events..
For one, she did not want to go back to school until all her hair had grown back.
She was also afraid to engage with friend groups because she felt out of touch.
Lastly, she was concerned that people would treat her differently. She did not want sympathy
Master of the Two Worlds
Master of the Two Worlds
Kara returned to school and her friend groups and accepted the changes in her appearance and situation.
She knew that she could find ways to experience the things she values no matter what happens.
All of those big and small things that she found to appreciate stayed in focus, and life had new meaning and purpose
Black Panther: A Hero's Journey
Let's Begin!
Black Panther
Call to Adventure
Following the death of his father, T'Challa, prepares to take his place as the king of Wakanda. He meets his father in the spiritual realm, who warns him of the trials he will face as a "good man" and a king. T'Challa wonders what type of leader he will be.
Call to Adventure
Meeting the Mentor
Nakia returns to Wakanda to support T'Challa during his transition to King. Nakia believes that Wakanda has a responsibility to all people of African descent. She challenges T'Challa to go against tradition and do better.
Meeting the Mentor
Crossing the Threshold
In his very first duty as both
Black Panther and king of Wakanda, T'Challa crosses the threshold from warrior to leader. With Nakia's guidance, he decides to spare Klaue's life because it is the right thing to do, despite the risks.
Crossing the Threshold
Tests and Trials
Because of his decision to spare Klaue's life, T'Challa faces new challenges at home in Wakanda.
- He looses the support of M'Kathu (leader of the border tribe), and he is challenged by Killmonger
- T'Challa again decides to do what a good person would do. He accepts Killmonger's challenge and asks him to yield during the challenge when T'Challa is winning.
Tests and Trials
Yield!
Abyss and Temptations
T'Challa looses the fight to Kilmonger and Zuri is killed.
T'Challa learns about Kilmonger's history and his father's secrets.
T'Challa faces the Abyss of loosing his faith in his father and the former leaders of Wakanda.
He is tempted to accept that he cannot both do the right thing be the leader of Wakanda
Abyss and Temptations
Transformation
T'Challa decides that his father and the former leaders of Wakanda were wrong to compromise their principles for the sake of keeping Wakanda a secret. He decides what type of King he will be and returns to challenge Killmonger with conviction in his ability to rule.
Transforma-tion
The Road Back
T'Challa takes his place as king. He brings together both factions within Wakanda: those that want to protect the country and those that want to help the world.
The Road Back
Master of the Two Worlds
T'Challa and Nakia create outreach programs across the world so that Wakanda can aid all people's of African descent.
T'Challa is both protector of Wakanda and a good person.