Today March 30,2012 marks 6 years since the story of TWLOHA began and the first ever Tee-Shirt was worn my Jon Foreman of Switchfoot. It is amazing to see how far To Write Love on Her Arms has come in 6 short years. I have been there since the beginning. I stumbled upon their page on MYSPACE just when I needed to hear their story.
Six years ago….all I needed to know was that I was NOT alone, and that there were other people who were struggling just as I was. Six years ago, I was just beginning to tell people about my struggle with self injury, depression and suicidal thoughts and it was a daily battle not to give in to my addiction. Through To Write Love on Her Arms I found stories of hope, support and encouragement.
Over the Last six years To Write Love on her Arms, has been a huge part of my story. I have gone from just watching from the sidelines to being involved with this organization in more ways than I could have ever imagined. Over the last two years I represented To Write Love on her arms in two AFSP walks for suicide prevention. The first was the 18 mile Overnight Walk. I was stopped by dozens of people, some who had heard of the organization and some who wanted to learn more. People I didn’t know would come up to me and hug me and tell em how important TWLOHA was to them. It was an amazing feeling to know that the TWLOHA community stretches far and wide. On the second community walk for AFSP in brooklyn i was able to sit down with a group of about a dozen college age kids who were walking to raise awareness about suicide in their college community. I was able to share my story with them as well as telling them about IMALIVE: the world’s first Virtual crisis center, a collaboration between To Write Love on Her Arms and the Kirsten Brooks Hopeline. This is a collaboration I am proud to be a part of.
I wear TWLOHA because I believe in the message of Hope and a community of Healing. I believe in the idea that rescue is possible no matter how far you have fallen. I believe in the message that Help is real. Hope is real. And each and every one of our stories is Important.
So today I wear TWLOHA. Why do you #wearTWLOHA?
Hope Rising Project 