#wearTWLOHA

By Alyce Youngblood • March 15, 2013

we-are-twloha-wear-twloha-2013
It’s been seven years since the first TWLOHA T-shirt was printed. But it was more than a shirt; it was a story. Last year, we launched #wearTWLOHA to mark the anniversary of that shirt, but also to recognize the ways in which its story has grown. Many people see the words “To Write Love on Her Arms” and ask, “What does that mean?” #wearTWLOHA is an opportunity to highlight the many answers to that question.

Over the next two weeks (March 15 – March 30), we want to know why you wear TWLOHA. Upload a photo of yourself on Twitter or Tumblr wearing your favorite TWLOHA shirt and use the hashtag #wearTWLOHA to tell us and your friends what it means to you. What conversations has your shirt sparked? How does its message resonate with you? Why is it more than just a shirt? We want to hear from you. Then, on March 30, everyone is invited to put on a TWLOHA shirt and join us in celebrating seven years of wearing and sharing this message of hope.

Leave a Reply

Comments (19)

  1. Melissa

    I love TWLOHA. Literally, they have saved my life– both physically and mentally. I try to spread the word about how they started & my personal story every chance that I can. Rescue truly is possible, if you really work hard for it!!!!

    Reply  |  
  2. Lindzie

    I think this should be an event added to Facebook! That way many people can join in and have time to order a shirt if they need one!

    Reply  |  
  3. AT

    I have dealt with being a cutter since I was about 10 years old and I am now almost 40. You have helped to bring more attention to this issue and help others not feel so ashamed. You helped my daughter to come to me and talk about her hurting herself. No one can truly understand what it feels like and why we cut but you are helping others to understand that it does happen.Thank-you

    Reply  |  
  4. Delani

    I was bullied all through elementary and middle school and I used to cut and I look back at it now as I am going into my senior year of High school and I realize now that I had better options then and I have learned recently that surrounding myself with friends who care and doing the things I love to do along side keeping my head up no matter what its the best way to over come everything i have faced in life. I have had more people than I care to discuss ask me why I wear my TWLOHA bracelet every single day of my life and I tell them that not only has it kept me afloat but it has helped many of my friends understand that things do get better. Thank you guys so much not only for helping me keep my head above water but my friends too it really does mean the world.

    Reply  |  
    1. Lily

      Delani, I am so encouraged by this comment. I am so glad you wear TWLOHA every day– it show how dedicated we all are to spreading our cause. It is people who stay dedicated and keep holding on who keep TWLOHA afloat.
      Thanks,
      Lily B.

      Reply  |  
  5. Jade

    when i found TWLOHA i was looking for something to live for and it gave me a reason and for that i will be forever grateful. Every chance i get i spread the hope TWLOHA brings to people who like i once did need something to live for. thankyou for saving me like you did.

    Reply  |  
  6. Kate

    I will not be wearing one of your shirts, because I have none right now, hoping to get one Monday for my birthday. But I made a shirt of my own to wear to support those who need the help!

    Reply  |  
  7. lydia

    twloha to me is that little bit of hope when it seems theres no hope left i know i can email or contact twloha and it keeps me going, when i feel at the point of giving up i’ll email through and read the reply and it gives me hope, it gets me through, i keep the emails and re read them, i’ve worn my shirts to supermarkets and have had conversations with the check out assistant who actually checked this site out, now each time im in the supermarket and he’s there we talk, he’s called george, and he’s not like other check out assistants at all – he was honest and said he was shocked that so many people suffer with mental health problems.I told him the story behind the shirt and he was truely and honestly shocked. Not only has wearing the shirt made awareness and made George aware, it has also found me a friend through the check out assistant. if it wasn’t for twloha i honestly don’t think i’d be wear i am today, there’s things i’ve told twloha via email that not many people know about me. twloha = live saver and hope, thats what twloha means to me. on my darkest days i can email, get a reply and suddenly realize hope still exists.
    <3

    p.s. george if you see this comment hi 🙂

    Reply  |  
  8. Andrew

    I didn’t find TWLOHA until college. By that point I had for the most part gotten a handle on my depression and self abuse, but having that name and support group that I could say “these people give me hope” made all the difference moving forward. I wear TWLOHA because it’s a reminder of what I don’t want to go back to and of the hope that I have moving forward.

    Reply  |  
  9. Desiree

    I wear TWLOHA bc this organization saved my life. When I felt like all that was left for me to do was die,I found this awesome organization that let me know their were others like me,that I’m never alone. I wear this shirt bc it gives me hope. I LOVE TWLOHA.

    Reply  |  
  10. TiannaLynn

    TWLOHA have me the strength to put down the bottle. I was 15 drinking every day doing drugs as much as I could inflicting pain on my self so I wouldn’t feel so controlled by everything that had happened to me. All of the lies and deceit that I had gotten from people who were supposed to be role models to me. One day 5 years ago on my space I found your page and I read. I read your beautiful story of pain and suffering hope and recovery and I thought of Renee can come back from all of that then I should be able to pick myself up and make that change the people who have molested and raped me had no more control after that. I made that stand by myself with the unknowing support of TWLOHA and soon after that my family. I wear TWLOHA because it gives me a Chance to make a little change to someone else’s life someone’s outlook on the situation…. TWLOHA has taught me that recovery never really ends but continuing recovery instead of spiraling backwards.

    Happy 7 years everyone 🙂 god bless

    Reply  |  
  11. Nick

    Because my best friend didn’t make it, but I did. TWLOHA helped me in so many ways. They showed me not only that others fought battles and overcame great obstacles, but also how to find support within my community. TWLOHA is a beacon for love and faith that life shines brighter after our darkest hour, and that we are not alone in searching for the courage to reach for better days ahead.

    Reply  |  
  12. EJ

    I wear Twloha because I support my friends who struggle every day to wake up and get through the day, and I wish that this sort of help had been available when I was growing up, I wonder how many it could have saved, I mourn the loss of those who never got help or even the chance to realize that help and hope were possible, and I celebrate the conversation.

    Reply  |  
  13. Louise

    They saved my life

    Reply  |  
    1. Hannah W

      Mine too

      Reply  |  
  14. Naomi

    The very fact this charity exists made a friend of mine hold on that bit longer because she took herself out of this world. The charity saved my life, and it has helped many others too. Without TWLOHA Sophie would have commited suicide long before she did. TWLOHA gave her those last ounces of hope, and it gave me the strength I needed to keep living.

    Reply  |  
  15. Hannah W

    I don’t have a shirt at the moment, but I plan on getting one soon. I have been struggling with self-harm and depression since I was 12 and I am now 18. I have recently began recovering from bulimia also. TWLOHA has helped me so much. You have given me hope that things can change, that the pain can end. I am so thankful for all that you do. I don’t know where I would be without you guys. Happy 7 years!!!!!

    Reply  |  
  16. Mariah

    I have tried alcohol, drugs, cutting & more alcohol. Numbness is what i thought i wanted. I’ve always felt like such a coward. A friend told me about twloha less than a year ago. The pictures & stories of everyone are amazing. Your bravery is inspiring.

    Reply  |  
Get Email Updates

Sign up for our newsletter to hear updates from our team and how you can help share the message of hope and help.