To write love on her arms
April 10th, 2007
Just about every day, my twelve-year-old daughter comes home from school with messages and doodles all over her arms. These messages are usually from her girlfriends and range from silly, to “I love you girl” stuff. My daughter goes to a Catholic Middle school that is separated by sex, and has a strict dress code. I don’t know if this plays a role in the arm messages, but I find it interesting that my daughter and her friends write messages all up and down their arms. And they wear these messages like badges of courage.
As a parent of a twelve-year-old I worry, a lot. As Kenzie bounces down the paths of cultural influence, I often worry about how affected she is by the culture that some of us, including myself, play a role in creating. I brought Kenzie to my office after school last week and Joe (our ex-intern - now our Young Gun) saw my daughter’s new Sharpie arm art and told me I should checkout TWLOHA.com. He added that Anberlin, a favorite band of Joe, Kenzie and myself, is a spokesband for TWLOHA. I was also excited to see other bands from Switchfoot to Underoath as messengers for this new and much needed movement.
TWLOHA stands for “To write love on her arms.” It was founded a year ago by Jamie Tworkowski. You see, Jamie met a girl named Renee who had a painful story of addiction, depression and regret. Jamie started sharing her story and played a role in developing a community of hope for Renee as she fought her demons of self-inflicting wounds. Jamie started out with a box of t-shirts in hopes of paying for Renee’s treatment expenses. In turn, “To write love on her arms” has offered hope to thousands, and has become a non-profit movement. TWLOHA is now embarking on a big plan for 2007. The 100K fund will contribute to treatment, recovery and support of young people facing depression, addiction and self-injury.
I found this note from Jon Foreman of Switchfoot on the TWLOHA blog:
A year ago, my friend Jamie got a box of shirts. Inside and out, the shirts told a story: a firsthand account of an attempt to love, an honest attempt to change the world for the better. Since then, I’ve seen these shirts from Florida to the UK. They remind me of community. They remind me of the tension between pain and hope. They remind me of my friend.
Love is, as far as I can tell, the most mature response to any situation - the pinnacle of what it means to be truly human. Love is a wrench in the wheels of cause and effect, of reactionary living, of casual imitation. Yes, speed and events are all around us in the information age, but motion - true motion - is rare. Love is the movement.
Keep moving, amigos.
Other posts by Geno.
stephenie says:
Awesome… this is great and I love that you are so involved in Kenzie’s life and interests. You are a role model for all parents out there Geno - you ROCK!!! This is a great movement with great bands who have a huge influence on kids…
April 10th, 2007 at 5:32 pmGeno says:
Steph, you are way to kind, thank you. I have a hard time thinking of myself as a role model. I do think it is important as a parnet to not be passive in your childs interests. If they like a band read their blog. You can bet your teen is reading it.
April 11th, 2007 at 5:18 amJoshua Blankenship says:
I’ve been working with Jamie and TWLOHA for a few weeks now, doing some shirts and such. They’re such a wonderful organization shedding light on a great deal of (unfortunately) rarely-discussed real issues in the lives of young people right now.
April 13th, 2007 at 10:11 amSusie says:
I love this movement. I have bought 3 shirts, 1 sweater, 5 pins and 1 book from TWLOHA. I want to everything I can to enourage Jamie’s organization and spread the word.
June 17th, 2007 at 7:27 pmJessica says:
I am so glad that you are involved with her as you are. You focus on her and that is cool.
September 4th, 2007 at 10:27 amnichol says:
i think the story is amazing. i have a friend that has problems with depression. the story almost made me cry. i hope that if my friend reads the story it will have an influence on him.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:06 amAnonymous says:
i’m glad to hear that someone out there is making a huge difference and stating a snowball for something good
September 23rd, 2007 at 3:42 amAnne says:
I love TWLOHA. it stands not only for my story (cutting) but for millions of others pain. i thik its something that should be supported by everyone!
September 24th, 2007 at 12:44 pmEmily says:
I Love twloha.I had a couple of friends go through a cutting stage and i have went through depression! I first heard about it from the band paramore! I seen hayley williams[the lead singers] wearing one of the LOVE shirts! :] Its nice to see that people do actually care! I want everyone to know about this organization! Im buying a shirt and sweatshirt soon.
October 2nd, 2007 at 9:47 amSarah says:
I’m glad to see that parents are checking TWLOHA out too!
October 16th, 2007 at 12:59 pmI’ve been priviledged to know the people behind the organization and have an opportunity to follow it from the beginning. Right now I’m working with the University of Florida to bring them hear to speak.
Their message of hope and rescue is amazing.
I’ve witnessed so many close friends go through so much brokenness and dispair, and I know how important the message of Love is.
Sarah says:
I just wanted to say that I really liked this story.
October 24th, 2007 at 5:01 amI am trying to spread the word of TWLOHA around my school and town, and towns near where I live.
I want to help donate money to TWLOHA because I’ve finally found something I can be devoted to helping.
I am a freshman in highschool and I have seen many young people who go through these problems.
I first heard of TWLOHA in an Alternative Press magazine.
[:
I just hope that I can get people to help me donate for this great movement.
Spike says:
That’s great, Sarah. Keep on fighting the good fight - we’re behind you!
October 24th, 2007 at 10:30 am