Elvira and Federica’s faces fill many screens. In some they appear grainy due to bad connections or low-resolution displays; in others, they appear so close that they seem to be there. Their message, however, arrives perfectly clear, strong and intense in all houses. The students from seven high schools, from Milan to Cassino, are connected from their houses to follow a webinar organized for Project Factor J.
As Psychologist Elvira Tulimieri and volunteer Federica Varriale, both from the Salerno AIL, explain their story, they seem to be there, as guests, in the students’ houses. They feel involved and fascinated by their ability for how they describe their illness, clearly and directly, as if there were no screens.
“You need to be emotionally strong to share such an experience,” the students write on Platform: chat. “My classmates and I would like to thank you for having shared this experience with us and wish you all the best! You are lovely People who have taught us a lot.” And, yes, “people” is written with a capital P. “You are a force of nature! We must thank you for the strength and courage you transmit! Thank you wholeheartedly!”
“Today’s experience was splendid, wonderful.”
“We would like to thank you, marvellous women, for having shared this beautiful strength and disarming gentleness …”
There are many messages on the chat. They are all different and yet unique. They all agree. Together with the students, we would like to embrace Elvira and Federica an all the experts and volunteers of patient associations that are generously participating in Project Factor J.
Special thanks to:
- Associazione Italiana contro Leucemie, Linfomi e Mieloma (AIL)
- Associazione Ipertensione Polmonare Italiana Onlus (AIPI)
- Associazione Malati Reumatici del Piemonte (AMaR)
- Associazione Nazionale per le Malattie Infiammatorie Croniche dell’Intestino (AMICI onlus)
- Associazione Nazionale Amici per la Pelle (ANAP onlus)
- Associazione Psoriasici Italiani Amici della Fondazione Corazza(APIAFCO)
- Network Persone Sieropositive (NPS Italia onlus)
- Progetto Itaca
Factor J, promoted by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale with Janssen Italia, is the first Italian school curriculum for educating students to develop emotional intelligence, respect and empathy towards individuals suffering from unease of disease. This is an important social operation to stimulate a change in mentality and culture in the new generations.
