Creating a Legacy for Loved Ones
In this week’s episode of the Cancer Education Series, the founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, Dr. Richard Deming discusses “Creating a Legacy for Your Loved Ones” with Brittany Overton, a Life Legacy Photographer and Owner of Positive Emissions Photography.
Brittany is from Iowa, and earned degrees in radiation therapy and radiation therapy technology. She has worked as a radiation therapist, and is now creating documentary videos to assist patients and their families to create a video legacy.
Brittany and Dr. Deming discuss that within the field of cancer treatment, a medical team is not only assisting the patient, but the family of the patient. The goal is to connect the patient with other resources necessary, such as a social worker, dietitian, pharmacist, energy worker, etc.
Brittany deliberates that legacies are important to pass something tangible on to loved ones, friends, and the community, after one passes. Brittany’s journey to this profession began when she was told she had a tumor on her optic nerve at 17 years old. She underwent 32 radiation treatments at the University of Iowa Hospitals and clinics. Through undergoing these treatments, she realized that she wanted to get into the medical and therapeutic field.
The first time Brittany created an audio story was to honor her grandfather Jake, who had stage IV Bladder Cancer. Brittanty speaks about how thankful she is to have tangible stories that are in his voice. The audio recordings she took were able to be sent out to the rest of the family and are available to be used for future family projects.
Brittany discusses the resistance to the recordings, as mortality is a difficult subject for individuals to share about, let alone think about. Brittany speaks about how she wishes life documentaries were more normalized, so that stories are not as easily forgotten. If stories aren't shared now, they might not ever be. It is extremely valuable to capture these stories, as they never expire and will always be new to someone, she argues. No matter what stage of life you are in, putting a life documentary or story together will help to create a legacy for you and your family.
For more, check out this conversation in detail on the Above + Beyond Cancer's Youtube channel.
To get more information on life documentaries, explore the Positive Emissions page, here. Or reach out to her directly, at positiveemissions@gmail.com
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BA Ethics & Public Policy, BBA Management, minor Social Justice
annavanheukelom@gmail.com