Objectives
The association ‘Amici di Luca’ was established in Bologna in 1997 to provide support to people undergoing post-coma rehabilitation and their families. In 2004 the association founded the Casa dei Risvegli (House of Reawakenings) Luca De Nigris, an innovative public rehabilitation and research centre run by the Bologna health authorities for people in vegetative state in the post-acute phase with potential for change.
Beneficiaries
- Roughly 10 young guests aged 16-26 at the Casa dei Risvegli Luca De Nigris in Bologna, who are in vegetative and minimally conscious state, and de-hospitalised patients in vegetative state who have returned home;
- Roughly 20 young people who are undergoing post-coma rehabilitation and with come outcome, and who are at risk of social isolation.
Activities
In 2011 Fondation Alta Mane contributed towards the realisation of two expressive drama workshops targeting de-hospitalised youngsters with coma outcome, who had returned home and were at risk of social isolation: the workshop conducted by the theatre company ‘Dopo… Di Nuovo’ was for young people who had just been discharged, while the workshop conducted by ‘Amici di Luca’ targeted young people who had been out of hospital for some time. The drama activities, including performances and staged shows, aimed to promote the youngsters’ social reintegration.
Amici di Luca organises drama workshops both for patients at the House of Reawakenings and for de-hospitalised patients at home. The clinical-therapeutic activities focus on the different languages of theatre and are tailor-made for the young patients in vegetative and minimally conscious state, who are undergoing post-trauma rehabilitation to facilitate their ‘reawakening’ and the restructuring of consciousness. During sessions, various kinds of theatrical stimuli are used to activate different sensorial channels simultaneously for the physical, psychic and emotional stimulation of the people involved. The workshops also include other activities involving reading, storytelling through objects, puppets, soft toys, video images and screenings and the use of ‘tactile’ materials, smells, coloured lights, music and sound.
For patients with come outcome, who have returned home and are at risk of social isolation, the drama activities provide a tool for social reintegration, treatment and self-awareness and an opportunity to accept and understand their condition and inner world by sharing emotions and feelings, in order to facilitate a process of identity reconstruction that might integrate those aspects that have been altered as a result of the traumatic event, the after-effects of coma and rehabilitation. The workshop targets youngsters who have just left hospital (Compagnia teatrale Dopo.. Di Nuovo) and those who have been out of hospital for a longer period (Compagnia Amici di Luca).
Partner
Amici di Luca is an association founded in 1997. In 2004 it established the Casa dei Risvegli (House of Reawakenings), an innovative public rehabilitation and research centre run by the Bologna health authorities for people in vegetative state in the post-acute phase with potential for change. The centre integrates medical-rehabilitative and psycho-pedagogical skills, structured volunteering and innovative technologies. In addition, the association provides information and raises awareness on the issue and trains qualified volunteers.
Information
Fondation Alta Mane supported Amici di Luca in 2011. Since 2012 the association has had the support of Fondazione Alta Mane Italia.[/fusion_tab][/fusion_tabs]
