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Draft a family newsletter for a parent with ALS from the calendar with Claude

WorkedEvidence: Described by posterPosted Last checked

Dylan Greif has Claude draft a family newsletter about a dad's ALS from the calendar, and friends now send letters and coordinate visits.

How to use this

  1. Tap Copy prompt.
  2. Open Claude.
  3. Paste it into the message box.
  4. Send it, then read the answer before acting on it.
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Prompt

Recreated prompt

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote one from what it describes. The result shown is the source's, not ours.

What the prompt labels mean

The person didn't share their exact words, so we wrote this from what they described. We haven't tested it, and they didn't use this exact version.

Using our family calendar for the past two weeks and the format, voice and context guide I've attached, write the first draft of our family update newsletter. Cover the basic information, any technical or medical updates in plain language and the opening lines. Leave clearly marked spaces where I'll add personal stories and jokes.

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ChatGPT Gemini Grok Claude Used in source

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Optional stronger version

Our rewrite with extra checks. The poster didn't test it.

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about the details below and wait for my answers. Once I've answered, confirm the plan in one line and run the whole task start to finish.

Goal: Draft a regular update for friends and family about a loved one's illness, so I don't have to answer the same questions one by one.

Questions to ask me first:
- Who reads the update, and how often does it go out?
- What should never be shared?
- What help do you want to ask for, such as visits, meals or cards?

Inputs (fill in or confirm):
- Calendar or list of recent events: [EVENTS]
- Tone and format guide or a past update: [GUIDE OR SAMPLE]
- Things to keep private: [LIST]
- Current asks for help: [ASKS]
- Sign-off: [NAMES]

Rules:
- Stick to the facts in the calendar and my notes; don't guess at medical details.
- Keep it warm and plain, in my voice.
- Leave [PERSONAL STORY] spots for me to fill in.
- Put the help requests in one clear section.

Checkpoint: Show me the outline and wait for my OK before writing the full draft.

If you get stuck: If an event's meaning isn't clear from the calendar, list it as a question for me instead of describing it.

Verify before you finish: Check that nothing on the keep-private list appears and every date matches the calendar.

Output: A ready-to-edit draft with a subject line.

Done when: My family can review the draft and send it.

AI tool

Claude

Outcome

As Dylan Greif's dad's ALS progressed, worried friends from temple, tennis and childhood were reaching out so much that it made life harder for the family. Greif, already stretched as a caretaker, set up a family newsletter and automated everything that didn't need a personal touch. Claude pulls recent events from the family calendar and writes a first draft (basic information, technical descriptions and opening lines) following a format, voice and context guide Greif designed. Greif then adds the personal stories and jokes, and parents and siblings co-edit the near-final draft before it goes out privately on Substack. Since then the family gets handwritten letters instead of emails and texts, weekly visits are coordinated by their temple and the fridge is no longer overwhelmed with food drop-offs.

Evidence: Described by posterThe person describes what happened in words, without screenshots or video.

Source

Posted
by Dylan Greif (LinkedIn)
Last checked
Method:
How we verify

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dylangreif_product-editorial-ai-activity-7472657300252422144-d0ZN

Context: The exact prompt isn't quoted, so the prompt here is recreated. Greif's tool list names Claude Code, Google Calendar and Substack. Greif says the newsletter's metrics are excellent but gives no figures.

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