The JKF rarely shows faces of people who we have helped, and I do not believe we have ever shown “before & after” photos.
Why?
We never want to label anyone.
What anyone calls themselves is their business.
Many agencies use such photos to elicit donations or followers. But, unfortunately, the long-term effect can be a label of “addict” for someone who has now created a life that wasn’t possible for so long.
The woman in recovery who becomes a teacher should be proud to be called “teacher,” not look at this “addict” now! The man who has his children back should be known as “dad.”
People first, people.
We do not prey on the emotions of those affected and their families by immortalizing an image of dis-ease.
If you have ever been to a JKF event, you will meet people we have helped; you would hear their stories as they would tell them. You would see their joy and pride in the life they created in recovery. You would feel the energy, the joy, the pride.
We strive to help people with recovery, not label people forever as one component of their journey.
– Kathy Koenigsdorf
