Care leavers are left with gaps in their history, denied the ability to be a definitive person, their childhood denied existence because it’s impossible to redact a photograph.
Thanks for sharing this - it's an aspect I hadn't really considered but makes complete sense. Most people can barely keep track of their own histories so can imagine the fragmentation of trying to curate a history as you traverse care workers, locations, age and experience. I run a care service for older adults (think popping in for a wash/tea/meds) and we often take a photo. Many of our clients are at the end of life and the photos occur because of the relationship they have with the care staff. Your writing makes me wonder whether we take them for our own benefit. I always share the good ones with families when the relationship finishes as part of leaving a nicer memory. Thanks for sharing - like The Sophist I followed Jonn's link too and glad I did! Good luck as your progress. x
First, I want to thank you for your thoughtful comment on my post. Then, reading yours, the connections expanded. Photos. I’d love to talk more but offline. My email is staylorstudio@gmail.com. Even though we’re so different (I’m old, you’re young, etc), besides last names, we share.
Thanks, Maureen 😊 It really is. As I mentioned in Pt.1, it wasn't important until someone was smacking me in the face with it. The really heartbreaking thing is that the photos do exist; they're just not allowed access to them because every child must be traced and consent given. There is no way of individually identifying everyone, as all the staff who would have known the children would have moved on.
Thanks for sharing this - it's an aspect I hadn't really considered but makes complete sense. Most people can barely keep track of their own histories so can imagine the fragmentation of trying to curate a history as you traverse care workers, locations, age and experience. I run a care service for older adults (think popping in for a wash/tea/meds) and we often take a photo. Many of our clients are at the end of life and the photos occur because of the relationship they have with the care staff. Your writing makes me wonder whether we take them for our own benefit. I always share the good ones with families when the relationship finishes as part of leaving a nicer memory. Thanks for sharing - like The Sophist I followed Jonn's link too and glad I did! Good luck as your progress. x
God and they're such beautiful photos too. What faces, what boys. Very pleased I followed the link from Jonn Elledge and read this, thankyou Matt.
Thanks so much Sophie 🥹 I still freak out looking at them. Jonn has been a great mentor on developing this newsletter, so I’m glad you found it.
First, I want to thank you for your thoughtful comment on my post. Then, reading yours, the connections expanded. Photos. I’d love to talk more but offline. My email is staylorstudio@gmail.com. Even though we’re so different (I’m old, you’re young, etc), besides last names, we share.
I could’ve laid down in that, really loved it X
Thank you so much 🙏
Thanks, Maureen 😊 It really is. As I mentioned in Pt.1, it wasn't important until someone was smacking me in the face with it. The really heartbreaking thing is that the photos do exist; they're just not allowed access to them because every child must be traced and consent given. There is no way of individually identifying everyone, as all the staff who would have known the children would have moved on.