To write love on her arms.

For those who don't know "To write love on her arms" is an amazing new organization that one of my friends created. It has grown into an actual movement. I have never seen something grow so intensely and with such impact on so many people’s lives then this. It started as a story, Jamie trying to help a young girl, named Renee, addicted to coke, pills, and alcohol. Also depression and regret in her mind; self medication was a part of it too. The night Jamie first met Renee; she disappeared into the bathroom for a while and came back with “FUCK UP” freshly slashed in her forearms. Begging Renee to come with them that night away from the drugs and “friends” that supplied them, she refused. But agreed to go to rehab tomorrow, she couldn’t do it that night. This is where To Write Love on Her Arms started. The next day at the rehab center, the nurse looks over her and is about to check her in, but then finds the engraving on her arm from the night before and names her too great a risk for the center and will not accept her. Jamie and some friends created their own rehab for the next five days for Renee. Keeping her busy looking after her, helping her heal from all her great pains she has known her whole life. The hope for healing never left any of those who helped Renee; they were her church doing anything to meet her needs. Each night they had plans for the next five days; basketball games, concerts, and church. After the week, Renee handed Jamie her razor blades she had used too many times, so instead of the horrible words she slashed into her arms; they could write love on her arms.

To write love on her arms has grown into something all into it self. Jamie started by getting a dozen or so black T-shirts printed with the name on it and selling them to try to help pay for Renee’s stay in rehab after the week was up.Through their website and Myspace teenagers all over the world who have struggled with depression, self-mutilation, rape, and drug abuse are relating with Renee and talking about it, and giving hope for a better life a chance. Now orders by the thousands are coming into the website for shirts, sweatshirts, hats, even stickers supporting Renee and so many other broken people. A number of bands and important people including Anberlin, Switchfoot, Paramore, Underoath, Thrice, Kelly Slader, CJ Hobgood, Bill Hurley and so many more people are even getting involved with this. It is expanding more than I ever imagined.

 Seventeen million people in the
United States suffer from depression. Untreated depression is the most common cause of suicide, people need to know, and depression is treatable. Self injurers and addicts seek the familiar, even if its pain. This is completely foreign to most people. Self injurers believe pain is their only option, using greater external pain as a relief from the pain inside. To write love on her arms is trying to talk about these topics that don’t get discussed. Helping people so they know they aren’t alone.

To me Jamie, the creator of this none profit organization, is the most amazing person in the world. To devote his life to truly helping people deal with issues most are scared to think about. If you haven’t heard about it check it out. Tell somebody about it. If you know someone suffering from any of these topics let them know about it, they need to have hope. Hope is still here, it’s everywhere. It’s about the idea of love and hope and rescue. Rescue is Possible.

www.twloha.com