Mixed Feelings on Ridor's Donation Requests

I have mixed feelings about Ridor's requests for donations. First, yes, he is a "professional" blogger. In a way, I am too. I do earn some money for my work at About.com, but it has never been enough that I could support myself and my family on that alone. I have always had to work at a regular job in addition to About.com.

Second, I am among those who would like to see Ridor get a "real" job. Whether he likes it or not, Ridor has become a "role model" for young deaf people. As such, he ought to have a real job with benefits, a retirement plan, etc. so that young deaf people will see that he can do it. "Professional" blogging is not going to provide Ridor with the trappings of a comfortable life nor will it be enough to fund an eventual retirement.

Third, the number of quality deaf blogs continues to increase - and therefore, the competition increases for Ridor. Sooner or later, the competition will reach a point where Ridor is not able to make enough money from his blog to pay the bills. What then? Will we be subjected to frequent pleas for donations on his blog?

Fourth, I believe that if Ridor had a real job, there would be less pressure on him to be "sensational" on his blog and he could focus on the quality. It has got to be hard thinking to yourself, "what can I write that will get lots of attention" so that there will be enough coming in to pay next month's rent? Freedom from having to worry about where one's next meal is coming from, makes a big difference when you are a blogger.

Fifth, I can't understand why no one has hired Ridor yet. Here we have a strong job market as reported by the media (167,000 new jobs in December alone, and a 4.5 percent unemployment rate). Ridor is young, intelligent, skilled, has an international reputation, and has been in the media. Why hasn't anyone hired him yet for a "real" job?

I half-heartedly support the idea of making donations to Ridor, but only for the purpose of helping him to maintain the quality of his blog. Even after he finds a real job, donations will continue to help maintain the quality of the blog. (Besides, as quality deaf blogs increase, his blog increasingly runs the risk of looking like just another deaf blog).

Finally, I know that Ridor had experienced being laid off. So have I. In my career, I lost three jobs. Each time, I searched hard and managed to find a new job even if I had to take a pay cut. I even managed to find a job during a recession, by determinedly searching and applying for jobs almost 24 hours a day. One loss almost forced me to quit About.com. The stress even put me in the emergency room with severe head pain.

My point is, I believe that any educated deaf person with a bachelor's degree who is determined enough, CAN find a job (I know the chances are not as good for deaf people who lack bachelors' degrees or lack a good work history, or are older). It may not be highly paid - but it will be a job. Even an unpaid volunteer job can be a stepping-stone. Yes, I know there is discrimination in the job search. I have experienced it myself. However, I believe that for every employer who discriminates against deaf people, there is another employer who will not discriminate. You just have to find the ones who don't discriminate!

When I was a child selling candy to help support the Rockland County Association for the Hearing Impaired, my mother gave me some good advice that I have never forgotten. It applies equally to the job search. She told me, "every no you get will bring you closer to a yes."