This Is Another Place

Abstract

This Is Another Place is an autoethnographic narrative written while I was a live-in caregiver for my Nan who was 96 years old and suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. During this time I was also writing my literature review on autoethnography and reflexive research as part of the initial stages of my Masters by Research.

The narrative focuses on the juxtaposition of my life as a student of art and my life as a granddaughter who was dealing with the loss of her grandmother. It is also a glimpse into the associated depressions, experiences of guilt, and joys brought about by caring for a loved one toward the end of life.

It is a narrative that I hope may provide a possible back story to some of the surly students we may come across as educators of real people and focuses on the space and time that alternative learning environments can give to us mere mortals when we may need somewhere to breathe.