Avoiding the Exploitation of Those I Love

I haven't updated my blog in a long time. The reason is only partly due to the fact that there are ten thousand other things to do in life like... get married, be there for my mom who has cancer, and work. Other than those factors I have mostly stopped updating my missionary blog because I linked it to Facebook. Before I could write entries about my experiences as a Church and Community Worker missionary and I was fairly sure that few would read it. Once I linked my blog to Facebook I not only became aware of the public(ness) of it, but I also began to think about the individuals I write about. I thought about what they would think if they saw their story being told. I struggles with how to tell the stories, the funny, exciting, heartbreaking stories of the Deaf and Deaf-Blind individuals I know, with respect. How would I share their experiences so that others can learn about the struggles and joys that face Deaf individuals while at the same time not exploiting those I love. I came to the conclusion, with the help of my new pastor and friend, that from here on out:

I will not use real names

I will tell true facts but...

I will combine many different stories in order to hide identities.

I will continue to post pictures of individuals who have given me permission but the pictures might not be of those mentioned in the post.



Here's to moving forward! Peace!