Comments | comes_the_light: Scars...Carrying My Past Into My Present?

comes_the_light

Scars...Carrying My Past Into My Present?

Jul 01, 2007 15:03

In preparation for a television interview next week, the reporter called and asked if I would be willing to show my scars on the air and I said no. You could tell my response was something he had not anticipated and he asked me why ( Read more... )

self-injury, scars, cutting

Comments 8

spacegirlnz July 2 2007, 01:24:56 UTC

I think you are completely right in saying "no". Scars are very private. It's totally different showing one person who asked than showing anyone watching when some may not have wanted to see them. I think it's unreasonable or them to want you to prove yourself by showing your scars. If someone said they were Bulimic they wouldn't ask them to demonstrate how they purge, would they? I congratulate you for staying strong and not wavering from what you're comfortable with.

PS. I totally bought your book yesterday. I'm surprised I found it in little ol' New Zealand, but I did. I didn't want to stop reading at 2am... but I had to. I'm just off to finish it now. It's amazing. I love your style of writing.

comes_the_light July 2 2007, 19:07:38 UTC

Thank you SO much for supporting me on this issue! I feel very strongly that self-injury is a personal disorder and thought it callous that an outsider would challenge me on this viewpoint. I believe I was 100% correct in telling him no, and after reading your comment, am even stronger in this conviction! :)
P.S. I am very happy you were able to find the book! I'm glad it is speaking to you and hopefully you will find the end something you can relate to as well!

spacegirlnz July 3 2007, 04:06:07 UTC

I'm glad I can provide support, even if it's only a few words on a computer screen. =)

I have so many thoughts about your book, that I just can't seem to get them all out in an orderly fashion. The whole thing spoke to me, and I can find parallels between your reactions/thoughts/feelings/reasons and my own. I read it relatively fast for me, but at the same time I took in every word and thought about it, and for each of the questions the counselor asked you I answered them myself. Thank you for writing it.

comes_the_light July 3 2007, 12:35:16 UTC

As you can imagine, this book was very difficult to write at times, because I felt like I exposing myself too much. But in the end, there really wasn't any other way I could have ever explained to the world what my life has been like. In one way, I am terribly honored that so many people can relate to my story. But in the other, I am saddened that there are so many. That means there is a lot of pain in the world and that makes me sad.
I hope that in reading my story you are encouraged. There is someone else "like" you and in the end, I think that's what everyone wants to know...that they aren't alone. Thank you for reminding me of that fact!

golly_goth July 2 2007, 12:55:11 UTC

Stick to it, hun. I hate showing my scars to people who don't know me, I hate people showing their scars off as if they are nothing, represent nothing, hold no significance.

It is a private part of our lives as ex or present self-harmers as they tell the tale of a past day where we felt so bad and yet still survived.

Keep going, hun. Do what you want and not what he wants. You won't just be doing it for yourself but for all of us.

comes_the_light July 2 2007, 19:09:34 UTC

It is amazing what a strong chord this issue has with people. At the time, I was shocked by the reporters request (because I thought it was ignorant!) and now see how rude it was of him to ask! Thank you so much for backing me up on this one. I hope that my refusal to "advertise" my scars will show other self-injurers that they too have a choice in who they show them too.

way to go gurl gerengurl July 3 2007, 06:32:29 UTC

way to go in telling him no, I do not "advertise" my scars, and as I have cut in more private areas of my body only very few ppl have seen them, and it is not somthing that I feel like I need to share. My sister, who is not really related to me has seen me, only after I was scared one night and she is a doctor. But I do not advertise. What channel is the interview taking place on? I would love to see it, you have been such an inspiration to recovery and to help me realize that life gets better, but not perfect. way to go forstanding up for yourself, you did what was right! :)

Re: way to go gurl comes_the_light July 3 2007, 12:37:47 UTC

I am supposed to be the feature story of a local FOX affiliate on July 16th. The show is being taped that morning, but I cannot say for certain if it will broadcast at that time or be shown that evening when the other medical segments typically broadcast. I will put more information about my next radio and tv interviews on my website this week!