I don't even remember where I heard about this organization, but I knew the moment I learned of its existence that it was something important.
It's kind of sad that everyone I know, save one or two, has either never heard of To Write Love On Her Arms, or assumes it's only about self inflicted injury. What's worse is they tend to assume it's for "emo kids".

I guess I also used to be one of these people who assumed that the "emo" kids were attention grabbers. I guess it's majorly because of the environment I grew up in. My parents were strict, but with reason. I'd never known what it was like to have my parents either never home, or significant issues. I'd been gifted with a relatively "normal" family. I'd always read/heard about families where affairs happen and everything is just so messed up. And I'd always been thankful that I came from one that was, though somewhat more distant than other ones, in one piece.

That was why it was hard for me to handle the situation when a student at my high school killed himself. I remember it like the back of my hand. Coming into the school, the atmoshphere was heavy. I felt that something wasn't right. And when I learned what happened I was in shock. It wasn't until forth period that it really hit me how sad it was. I was reminded of the dead cousin I never knew, and the marks they found all over her body.

I suppose it was soon after that I'd discovered TWLOHA. And it's definitely helped me personally. I had a friend who had marks on his arms, and I was recovering from my own. However, it was definitely only in the last couple of years that I realised the importance of TWLOHA. Love IS the movement. It sounds cheesey I know, but sometimes it's really hard to believe that there's anyone out there who even LIKES you. On occasion, I still struggle with my own inner battles, and it's easy to overlook the fact that those around you look out for you and really ARE concerned about you when they ask what's wrong. I don't claim to understand all the complicated reason behind others' stories, but at least now I'm open to them and don't criticise like I used to.

I find that a major problem is the reluctance for people to talk about this. There's a lot of negative opinions about self injury and a lot of those around me seem to think that it's a stupid thing to do and it's really the person's own fault for being unable to cope with whatever life has handed them. Addiction is not something that is solely dependent on one's own choices. Drugs have different effects on different bodies and it's harder for some to stop than for others. I personally felt that self injury was also addictive. What those who experience the above really need is just someone to understand, to talk to, to relate to, and someone to stand up for them. Rescue is possible.

Starting a UChapter looks especially attractive to me because of everyone's lack of knowledge of the ressources out there. I would much rather do something that reaches clsoe to home than, say, something overseas in poverty stricken areas (who are we to say what the community NEEDS? Especially if we weren't raised there and couldn't possibly understand life there?).

To be honest, I don't really know when I started to care so much about TWLOHA. But it's definitely something I love a lot because of the fact it's something I chose, for myself, to pursue, not something by the family. I look my faded scars to remind myself of everyone out there who DOES love me, and that there a plenty of adolescents out there struggling to find someone that loves them and someone/thing to live for.

Labels: To Write Love On Her Arms