Story-telling project gives voice to people with dual diagnoses

A story-telling project in Philadelphia this week gives voice to a group of people we don’t often hear from.

A story-telling project in Philadelphia this week gives voice to a group of people we don’t often hear from.

People who have an intellectual disability as well as a mental illness are invited to record their stories during a two-day event called “Bridging the Gap – One Story at a Time”.

Hosted by Philadelphia Coordinated Healthcare, the goal of the event is to bring awareness to the issues faced by people with dual diagnoses.

Dina McFalls, director of Philadelphia Coordinated Healthcare says there are many misconceptions about people with intellectual disabilities – for example, that they are non-verbal:

McFalls: The vast majority of people with intellectual disabilities are mildly to moderately impaired and CAN tell their stories and would like to tell their stories

McFalls says giving people in this group an opportunity to talk about their lives will show that many of them live and work in the community.

The event takes place in center city today and tomorrow, and the recorded stories will later be available online.