• To record a story, you will need a cell phone, or a microphone on your computer and a sound recording app or software.
• You can use any sound recording app on your phone or any media software on your computer, (i.e. Sound Recorder if using Windows, or GarageBand if using Mac).
• You can record for up to 60 minutes.
• Along with your story, upload a high-resolution photograph of you holding a picture of your loved one.
• Submit your story by uploading an mp3 file to icustoryweb.org using the ‘Submit’ button.
• When we receive your story, the ICU StoryWeb team will review your submission.
• A professional producer will edit your story into a two-to-four minute audio clip, which will then be added to icustoryweb.org.
• Stories containing inappropriate content (e.g., stories that are irrelevant to the mission of ICU StoryWeb), will not be added to the site.

• To write your story, you’ll need a computer or device with word processing software, such as Microsoft Word.
• Write your story using our storytelling guide. *Due to the possibility of emotional distress while creating your journal entry, you may wish to invite a family member or close friend to sit with you while you create your entry.
• There is no time limit or word limit for journal entries.
• Along with your story, upload a high-resolution photograph of you holding a picture of your loved one.
• Submit your story by uploading the Word document to icustoryweb.org under the ‘Share’ section and then Submit’.
• When we receive your story, the ICU StoryWeb team will review your submission.
• A professional producer will edit your story, which will then be added to icustoryweb.org.
• Stories containing inappropriate content (e.g., stories that are irrelevant to the mission of ICU StoryWeb), will not be added to the site.

With ICU StoryWeb, you are encouraged to tell your story the way you want to tell it. It is your story, and it is important that you express what you were feeling, what you are feeling and how you feel about the future.

If you are audio recording your story, you can stop in between questions. You are not required to create a polished, professional recording; let us take care of that for you. Also, you are not required to address all of these questions. This guide is intended to help you get started. We would like to hear your story in detail, but you are welcome to share as much, (or as little) information as you like.

Consider answering these questions:

1. What was the relationship you had with your loved one? (Family? Friends?) Tell us about him/her.
2. How would you describe the events leading up to your loved one being admitted to the ICU?
3. Tell us what happened once your loved one was in the ICU.
1. At what point did you realize that your loved one might not survive?
2. Were there any major decisions that had to be made once you realized that?
3. Were there other people involved in the decision-making process?
4. Had you and your loved one discussed end-of-life decisions prior to entering the ICU? Why or why not?
1. What would your loved one have thought about stopping life-support, or about never starting life-support in the first place?
5. If you had to make the decision to disconnect your loved one from life support, what were your thoughts before, during and after?
6. Tell us about the thoughts and feelings you’ve had about the ICU experience since your loved one died.
1. Any recurring thoughts or feelings about your loved one or particular aspects of the ICU experience?
2. Any disturbing dreams?
3. Any thoughts or images you can’t get out of your mind?
4. Any regrets?
7. What have you shared with other people about this experience?
8. What advice might you have for others in similar situations?
1. What did you learn through this experience?
2. What do you wish you had known beforehand?
3. What do you wish you had done differently?

*If you have any questions about creating or submitting your story, please email us at ICUStoryWeb@gmail.com