[Indie'sOK]

I was searching Google Images for a picture related to To Write Love on Her Arms, the organization that spreads awareness about self-injury, addiction, and other issues, and I came across this picture
http://rachelofcourse.com/wp-content...onyourarms.jpg

The site it came from, www.rachelofcourse.com, had a caption where the site's host said she at first thought the organization was an "emo band". I sent her an email stating that maybe she should take a look at all the publicity TWLOHA has recieved since it's start in 2006, and that it has helped many people. I told her to grow up. It outrages me that people are like this. Do you think I'm overreacting, or are my feelings valid?

I think you had a valid reason to send her an email, for sure. No need for her to be mocking something that is doing very positive things like spreading awareness about different issues.

I'm not sure who would think that her picture/caption was funny, but I definitely didn't.

[Indie'sOK]

Thank you very much for your support. She needs to know that this isn't something to be taken lightly.

Hello, Indie. Rachel likely acted out of ignorance. A gentle admonition is helpful.

No, you didn't overreact. I think you were right, so..good job!! ((((((((((((((Indie)))))))))))))
This is mocking a huge group who helps people..and..-it's just wrong.

ohseedee- I hope people didn't find that funny.

[Indie'sOK]

That girl send me a rude email back..."how is writing love on your arm supposed to do anything past that?" She has my email address, so I just deleted the account I've had for 4 years and made a new one. I don't want anything else from her. I hate when something like this happens. If it was in real life, I'd react in a physical way if things got bad. Now I can't do anything and I hate feeling powerless.

from what i know of the org they sound like a great group. i have a link to them on one of my blogs. all the publicity they have received has really helped spread their message. i think it's good you spoke up but that's all you can really do. it does sound like she touched a nerve with you. maybe you can try to figure out what that is about. take care.

love your sig line & avatar.

[Indie'sOK]

Thank you so much everyone The support that comes from people I know and care about greatly outweighs the catty remarks that come from someone I don't.

I think it is enraging that pop culture treats depression and self injury- both very serious things as annoying attention seeking by whiny brats. If people used just 2 braincells to think about this for a few minutes... hypothetically even if they are right don't you think if a person who is willing to cut themselves to "fit in" is a healthy functioning individual? Who in their right minds would intentionally hurt themselves for any reason?

Normally I don't care about stuff like this but it's awful that people who are genuinely hurting not only have no support but also are ridiculed by other people on top of that.

[AkAngel]

Originally Posted by Kaika

I think it is enraging that pop culture treats depression and self injury- both very serious things as annoying attention seeking by whiny brats. If people used just 2 braincells to think about this for a few minutes... hypothetically even if they are right don't you think if a person who is willing to cut themselves to "fit in" is a healthy functioning individual? Who in their right minds would intentionally hurt themselves for any reason?

First of all, I want to say to the OP that your feelings are always valid; in my opinion the only thing that could ever need validation are actions.

Kaika, for the most part I agree with you and what you are saying but where do we draw the line? Personally, I think that lyposuction is pretty ridiculous...in fact, any plastic surgery beyond reconstructive. Each of these require cuts. Piercings are not cuts but punctures, but they too make no sense to me.

To be clear, your comment "don't you think if a person who is willing to cut themselves to "fit in" is a healthy functioning individual? Who in their right minds would intentionally hurt themselves for any reason?" - I might have said that myself but soooo many people do it. When does a cutting go from unhealthy to mainstream? I don't know the answer to that but I remember when plastic surgery first came out most people were like, "What kind of self-obsessed person would do something like that?" Through the years it seems to have gone mainstream. *shrug* I know I'm out of the pop culture loop - maybe things are changing again.

[Indie'sOK]

I don't think piercings are mean to self-harm. By the time a person reaches a place to be pierced at, the urge most likely has passed. And why pay upwards of $30 to do it anyway? People's motivations for piercing range widely - tattoos are the same way. I know I'm a little biased, but I'm pierced

[AkAngel]

Originally Posted by Indie

By the time a person reaches a place to be pierced at, the urge most likely has passed.

That's a really good point. Thanks for giving me a new way to look at that.

[thine_self_untrue]

Writing "love" on your arm could accomplish nothing.

Or it could help you change your mindset, love yourself and respect who you are. In the end, you have to be ready to change.

I think its good to offer support like that, but its only going to be as helpful as people allow it to be.

did this woman rachel actually think they are telling people to go around writing "love" on their arms? if so, then it might explain her animosity. that is just the name of the organization. they are about bringing awareness and funding treatment for people who self-harm, have depression, etc.

[Indie'sOK]

Originally Posted by bloom3

did this woman rachel actually think they are telling people to go around writing "love" on their arms? if so, then it might explain her animosity. that is just the name of the organization. they are about bringing awareness and funding treatment for people who self-harm, have depression, etc.

I'm not sure what she thought, but I think she what it was about since she mentioned it in her email back to me. I could understand if she honestly didn't know what it is, but if she did, that's just wrong and in bad taste.

[Lisa Michelle]

I think a lot of people would be very offended by her picture, it seems just.. really needless. Being spiteful about a group like that is a strange thing to want to do, it seems a better way to spend time would be to make a picture about something that hurts people/the world, rather than an organisation that seeks to help people who are suffering. I guess the girl who posted the picture and emailed you must have her own issues and just doesn't 'get' mental health issues, perhaps she has issues herself and hasn't found a way to deal with that, who knows. Even when people don't get it though, I wonder what motivation they could have to mock or make cruel comments that will affect other people.

I'm sorry you've been upset by her email, I think you were brave to stick up for the organisation though and try to get her to see how cruel her actions and words against it was.