What’s up Mental Health Neighbors! In this episode of the Real Humans Podcast, Tristan speaks with Ayorkor Adjei about how using sign language early in her life prepared her for a future of working to bridge the gap between the hearing and the Deaf.

Ayorkor spent the first 11 yrs of her life in the Bronx, NY. During this time she learned sign language from her older brother, who is hard of hearing, so that they could communicate with each other. This makes her the sibling of a deaf adult or SODA.

Fast forward, now she utilizes her ASL interpreting skills in various settings, such as religious, theatrical, musical, educational, medical, Video Relay Service (VRS), and conferences. She particularly comes alive when interpreting music in Christian worship settings. 

Ayorkor’s passion comes through as we dive deep into what it was like for her growing up with a sibling who is hard of hearing, jump roping double-dutch (her other passion), and how she is working to help hearing parents connect and build relationships with their children who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

We laugh a lot in this episode. So get ready! Enjoy the conversation. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Ayorkor’s early experiences in the Bronx 

• Growing up with a sibling who is hard of hearing 

• The nickname that has followed her into adulthood 

• Her Ghanian mom advocating for her brother in the American healthcare system

• Acculturation and Codeswitching (in the deaf and hard of hearing community…YES!) 

• Personal and professional costs of pursuing her passion

• The importance of parents having expectations for their children with disabilities

• How God has used Ayorkor in ASL work 

Resources

Connect with Ayorkor!

National Association of the Deaf

Deaf Action Center of North Texas

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What’s up Mental Health Neighbors! How can story change everything? Join host Tristan K. Frazier as he sits down with by Dr. Eva N. Bleeker (Chaplain Eva) to discuss the powerful impact of narrative oriented care in her academic research, chaplaincy care, and teaching. 

On this close out episode, Chaplain Eva shares how engaging her own story or narrative wreckage equipped her to walk alongside others in hospitals, in the classroom, and in life. 

Guest Bio 

Chaplain Eva is a board-certified professional chaplain with a decade of experience in acute care hospitals and an assistant professor at Denver Seminary. Her research sits at the intersection of pastoral care, narrative identity, and practical theology. She holds a Master of Science in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University, two Masters of Arts from Dallas Theological Seminary (Christian Education and Media and Communication), and a doctorate from Baylor University. Through her teaching, Chaplain Eva aims to integrate pastoral theory, empirical data, and the biblical text.

www.evableeker.com

In this episode, you will hear: 

• The intersection of her research interests and Life Story

• The importance of narrative wreckage catchers

• Redemptive/Reparative themes in care work 

• Leading a new generation of stopping church hurt 

• Moving into the academy during a season of discouragement 

• What not to tell yourself 

This episode is dedicated to the Rev. G. William “Bill” Bryan (1936-2018) 

Subscribe and Review 

Have you subscribed to my podcast? I’d love you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. 

I’d also love it if you dropped a review or 5 star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Select ‘Ratings and Reviews’ and ‘Write a Review’. Then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It’s quick and helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks! 

References 

• Ronda Cooper - The Story Catchers 

• Dan McAdams 

• Dr. Arthur Frank - The Wounded Storyteller, narrative wreckage

How do you voluntarily enter into human suffering and provide hope and healing? 

On this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr. Eva N. Bleeker (Chaplain Eva) to discuss her experiences of pastoral care in chaplaincy, passions in research, and serving students in the academy. We definitely talk about all the things! So much so that I actually ran out of time for Zoom (Free version) but stay tuned for Pt.2.

Guest Bio: Chaplain Eva is a board-certified professional chaplain with a decade of experience in acute care hospitals and an assistant professor at Denver Seminary. Her research sits at the intersection of pastoral care, narrative identity, and practical theology. She holds a Master of Science in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University, two Masters of Arts from Dallas Theological Seminary (Christian Education and Media and Communication), and a doctorate from Baylor University. Through her teaching, Chaplain Eva aims to integrate pastoral theory, empirical data, and the biblical text.

This episode is dedicated to the Reverend Chaplain G. Bill Bryan

In this episode, you will hear: 

• Chaplain Eva's origins and narrative 
• Her pioneering role and influence
• Her view on self-donation in caring for people
• The costs and fulfillment associated with caring for people
• Race, Injustice, Authority, and Equity in caring for people

This episode is dedicated to the Rev. G. William Bryan

Subscribe and Review 

Have you subscribed to my podcast? I’d love you to subscribe if you haven’t yet. I’d also love it if you dropped a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Select ‘Ratings and Reviews’ and ‘Write a Review’. Then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It’s quick and helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks! 

Supporting Resources 

• Dory Lobb (event without a witness) 

• Dr. Judith Butler