2. Reblogged from spreadthepositivity

    source: weheartit.com

    May 22, 2012

  2. ericaonate: thedailywhat: Heartwarming Tearjerker of the Day: The sheer cliffs at the mouth of Sydney Harbor have long been a popular Australian suicide spot. But they’re about to get a lot more deadly — the local man who is credited with talking at least 160 people out of killing themselves since 1964 died this week. Window-watcher Don Ritchie, known as the Angel of the Gap, could spot the troubled ones from his home across the street; he’d wander down to the cliff-edge and calmly ask, “Can I help you in some way?” More often then not, he could. He’d chat with them a bit, then invite them back to his place for a cup of tea. “My ambition has always been to just get them away from the edge, to buy them time, to give them the opportunity to reflect and give them the chance to realize that things might look better the next morning,” Ritchie once said. “You just can’t sit there and watch them. You’ve got to try and save them.” [advocatingprogress] <3<3<3

    ericaonate:

    thedailywhat:

    Heartwarming Tearjerker of the Day: The sheer cliffs at the mouth of Sydney Harbor have long been a popular Australian suicide spot. But they’re about to get a lot more deadly — the local man who is credited with talking at least 160 people out of killing themselves since 1964 died this week.

    Window-watcher Don Ritchie, known as the Angel of the Gap, could spot the troubled ones from his home across the street; he’d wander down to the cliff-edge and calmly ask, “Can I help you in some way?” More often then not, he could. He’d chat with them a bit, then invite them back to his place for a cup of tea.

    “My ambition has always been to just get them away from the edge, to buy them time, to give them the opportunity to reflect and give them the chance to realize that things might look better the next morning,” Ritchie once said. “You just can’t sit there and watch them. You’ve got to try and save them.”

    [advocatingprogress]

    <3<3<3

    3. Reblogged from ericaonate

    source: thedailywhat

    May 16, 2012

  3. A teacher in New York was teaching her class about bullying and gave them the following exercise to perform. She had the children take a piece of paper and told them to crumple it up, stomp on it and really mess it up but do not rip it. Then she had them unfold the paper, smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it was. She then told them to tell it they’re sorry. Now even though they said …they were sorry and tried to fix the paper, she pointed out all the scars they left behind. And that those scars will never go away no matter how hard they tried to fix it. That is what happens when a child bullies another child, they may say they’re sorry but the scars are there forever. The looks on the faces of the children in the classroom told her the message hit home. Pass it on.

    4. Reblogged from starsinthegutter

    source:

    May 15, 2012

  4. cheer-is-religion: Olivia Penpraze. 19 years old. Died from a Suicide attempt that left her brain dead. Her parents made the hardest decision of their lives by turning off her life support. She had a Tumblr account with over 900 posts sharing her emotional turmoil, dealings with depression, loneliness &amp; thoughts about her wanting to take her own life. The only response she got, was insensitive assholes, like the majority of people on Tumblr, encouraging her to do it. She was bullied consistently.Olivia attempted to kill herself every year in May 1st since 2008. In May 2012, her short life came to an end. I know most people can’t tolerate posts like Olivia’s, whom find it attention seeking. My point to you people is… EXACTLY!! Of course it’s attention seeking what else it?! People share that part of themselves over the Internet because they obviously feel they can’t talk to anyone they know nor do they think anyone would care. All I want is for people to cut out the bullying &amp; talk to people like Olivia.A conversation to someone in desperation could save their life. If people can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. You never know…What you say could be used to decide whether they live or die.

    cheer-is-religion:

    Olivia Penpraze.

    19 years old.

    Died from a Suicide attempt that left her brain dead. Her parents made the hardest decision of their lives by turning off her life support.

    She had a Tumblr account with over 900 posts sharing her emotional turmoil, dealings with depression, loneliness & thoughts about her wanting to take her own life.

    The only response she got, was insensitive assholes, like the majority of people on Tumblr, encouraging her to do it. She was bullied consistently.
    Olivia attempted to kill herself every year in May 1st since 2008.

    In May 2012, her short life came to an end.

    I know most people can’t tolerate posts like Olivia’s, whom find it attention seeking.
    My point to you people is…

    EXACTLY!!

    Of course it’s attention seeking what else it?! People share that part of themselves over the Internet because they obviously feel they can’t talk to anyone they know nor do they think anyone would care.

    All I want is for people to cut out the bullying & talk to people like Olivia.
    A conversation to someone in desperation could save their life.

    If people can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

    You never know…
    What you say could be used to decide whether they live or die.

    5. Reblogged from janeshadows

    source: ashschange

    May 15, 2012

    6. Reblogged from spreadthepositivity

    source: muffintop-less

    May 4, 2012

    7. Reblogged from justtryingtomakeyousmile

    source: frostycomets

    Apr 27, 2012

  7. chubby-bunnies: http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d3ve2ev

    chubby-bunnies:

    http://my.deviantart.com/messages/#/d3ve2ev

    8. Reblogged from chubby-bunnies

    source: chubby-bunnies

    Apr 27, 2012

    9. Reblogged from the-skyy-under-the-sea

    source: islifeworthliving

    Apr 27, 2012

    10. Reblogged from wanderinggwolf

    source: exquisitegifs

    Apr 26, 2012

    11. Reblogged from yelyahwilliams

    source: paperraine

    Apr 26, 2012

  11. xedgemodificationx: dirtyscratches: ‘Bullies made me do this to myself’ Bobbi Black’s scarred skin is a constant reminder of her tormented teenage years. Now she’s stopped self-harming, she bravely reveals the devastating effect it’s had on her body By Karen Lipton April 17, 2011 ‘Running my fingers along the hundreds of translucent scars that criss-cross my body, I know that people must wonder what has happened to me. They might think I’ve been in a car crash or a really bad accident. They might pity me or think I’m brave. But I did this to myself. From the age of 11, I cut my skin with whatever sharp object I could find. As the blood seeped out of my jagged wounds, I’d feel relief. Relief that I had some release for all the pain inside me. Relief that I was feeling something. Growing up in Middlesbrough, I was always shy and a bit lonely. My parents were separated and my mum, Sarah Jane, 42, sent me to a different school from my primary school friends when I was 11. Because I had no friends there, I was an easy target for the bullies, who used to steal my lunch money and torment me for being overweight. I was a size 12-14 when I was 12 years old, and to escape the taunts of ‘fatty’ during the day, I would comfort eat at night. I asked my teachers for help - but it made things worse. Too embarrassed to confide in my mum or the few mates I did have, I grew more miserable. The first time I cut myself is etched in my memory forever. I’d had a particularly bad day, and after school I lay on my bed sobbing. But crying wasn’t enough. I spotted a rectangular glass plate and I ran its sharp edges across my forearm until I drew blood. It hurt like hell, but at the same time I felt a massive release. It was like the blood was draining away all my hurt. After that, I’d regularly self-harm. At first it would be once or twice a week, but it soon increased to the point that I’d self-harm every day. I’d use anything sharp I could find. Broken CD covers, razor blades, pins… I’d even burn myself with lighters or lit cigarettes. The blood was draining away my hurt I continued doing this for almost two years, cutting the tops of my arms and thighs - places I could hide. I thought no one knew, but one day my home-economics teacher kept me behind after class. She’d spotted the scars on my arms, and was so sympathetic that I ended up confessing everything to her. When my mum came to pick me up, she was distraught to find out that I’d been doing this so long, and she hadn’t had a clue. I was referred to a psychiatric nurse, and the school arranged for me to see a counsellor once a fortnight. I was also prescribed antidepressants, but none of it really helped and I kept on cutting. Meanwhile, the bullying continued. After my 14th birthday in July 2004, I read a message scrawled in the school toilets: ‘Bobbi is a stupid cow. Why don’t you just get on with it and die?’ I decided I didn’t want to go on any more. Back at home, I took all the pills out of our medicine cupboard and swallowed them. The next thing I remember is my mum screaming, shaking me awake. I was rushed to hospital, where I stayed for six weeks. They kept me in because I kept saying I wanted to die - and I meant it. I was then sent to the adolescent psychiatric unit in Middlesbrough, but I was still cutting myself. It was the only way I could cope with the way I felt. But finally, after 13 months in hospital, thanks to a combination of medication and therapies including art therapy, I slowly began to recover. I’d always been artistic and I started to find drawing a real distraction. I hadn’t completely stopped cutting myself, but it wasn’t as severe as before. In February, I was discharged, just a few months before my 16th birthday. I felt elated and wanted a fresh start. So I enrolled at college to do art and design as well as photography. I also found a flat share with some girls on my course. Of course, it wasn’t easy to make friends initially. I still felt so shy and uncertain, but I learned that not everyone was a bully. Some people actually liked me, and I started feeling quite optimistic. It felt so good to be putting my energies into something creative. While I was drawing or painting, I’d forget completely about the cutting. When I found out I’d got a place at the University of Westminster to study art, I was ecstatic. Three months after moving to London I felt strong enough to come off the medication, and gradually the self-harming stopped. It’s been 10 months since I last cut myself - the longest I’ve ever gone. Like any addict, I can’t promise I’ll never do it again. But it used to be the first thing I’d turn to, and it’s not any more. As for boyfriends, one ex did see the scars. I was nervous about showing him, but he said they were beautiful because they were part of me. I’ve been happily single since moving to London, but when I meet someone I like I know I’ll have the strength to look him in the eye and tell him what I’ve been through. When my new friends have asked about my scars, I’ve simply said: ‘I used to self-harm,’ and left it at that. They don’t ask prying questions, but some have confessed how awkward my scars used to make them feel. I don’t ever flaunt my scars on holiday - I would never wear just a bikini, I always cover up with a kaftan. So posing like this was a nerve-racking decision. But being able to do it just shows me how far I’ve come in the past few years. And if it makes other young girls think twice about self-harming, then it’s worth it. I’m now 21 and it’s still hard for me to look at my reflection without feeling regret. But as much as the scars bother me, I also know that the intense misery and pain that I used to feel have faded. For me, that’s what really matters.” Self-harming: the facts Almost one in three young women have tried to self-harm.* People who self-harm are 50 times more likely to kill themselves.* The UK has one of the highest rates of self-harm in Europe, at 400 per 100,000 of the population.* ‘A physical wound is easier to deal with than an emotional one’ Dr Charlie Alcock is a clinical psychologist, and founder and CEO of the young person’s mental health charity MAC-UK. “When someone goes to the extreme of self-harming it’s usually because it’s the only way they can deal with a stressful or upsetting situation. They may feel they can’t control what happens around them, but they can control what they do to their body. As it’s generally quite a secretive illness, it’s sometimes hard to spot a self-harmer. They often hurt themselves in places that can’t be seen, so only they know they’ve done it. If you’re worried that someone you know is self-harming, get help. The main port of call should be a GP, who can refer them to a trained expert. But if the sufferer doesn’t feel ready to talk about it face to face with someone there are many online support groups. If an injury is severe then always go straight to A&amp;E.” For help and support, visit Selfharm.co.uk, Mind.org.uk or MAC-UK’s site, Musicandchange.com. Alternatively, call the National Self Harm Network on 0800 622 6000. gorgeous &lt;3

    xedgemodificationx:

    dirtyscratches:

    ‘Bullies made me do this to myself’

    Bobbi Black’s scarred skin is a constant reminder of her tormented teenage years. Now she’s stopped self-harming, she bravely reveals the devastating effect it’s had on her body


    By Karen Lipton
    April 17, 2011

    ‘Running my fingers along the hundreds of translucent scars that criss-cross my body, I know that people must wonder what has happened to me.

    They might think I’ve been in a car crash or a really bad accident. They might pity me or think I’m brave.

    But I did this to myself. From the age of 11, I cut my skin with whatever sharp object I could find.

    As the blood seeped out of my jagged wounds, I’d feel relief. Relief that I had some release for all the pain inside me. Relief that I was feeling something.

    Growing up in Middlesbrough, I was always shy and a bit lonely. My parents were separated and my mum, Sarah Jane, 42, sent me to a different school from my primary school friends when I was 11.

    Because I had no friends there, I was an easy target for the bullies, who used to steal my lunch money and torment me for being overweight. I was a size 12-14 when I was 12 years old, and to escape the taunts of ‘fatty’ during the day, I would comfort eat at night.

    I asked my teachers for help - but it made things worse. Too embarrassed to confide in my mum or the few mates I did have, I grew more miserable.

    The first time I cut myself is etched in my memory forever. I’d had a particularly bad day, and after school I lay on my bed sobbing. But crying wasn’t enough. I spotted a rectangular glass plate and I ran its sharp edges across my forearm until I drew blood. It hurt like hell, but at the same time I felt a massive release. It was like the blood was draining away all my hurt.

    After that, I’d regularly self-harm. At first it would be once or twice a week, but it soon increased to the point that I’d self-harm every day.

    I’d use anything sharp I could find. Broken CD covers, razor blades, pins… I’d even burn myself with lighters or lit cigarettes.

    The blood was draining away my hurt

    I continued doing this for almost two years, cutting the tops of my arms and thighs - places I could hide. I thought no one knew, but one day my home-economics teacher kept me behind after class. She’d spotted the scars on my arms, and was so sympathetic that I ended up confessing everything to her.

    When my mum came to pick me up, she was distraught to find out that I’d been doing this so long, and she hadn’t had a clue.

    I was referred to a psychiatric nurse, and the school arranged for me to see a counsellor once a fortnight. I was also prescribed antidepressants, but none of it really helped and I kept on cutting.

    Meanwhile, the bullying continued. After my 14th birthday in July 2004, I read a message scrawled in the school toilets: ‘Bobbi is a stupid cow. Why don’t you just get on with it and die?’

    I decided I didn’t want to go on any more. Back at home, I took all the pills out of our medicine cupboard and swallowed them.

    The next thing I remember is my mum screaming, shaking me awake. I was rushed to hospital, where I stayed for six weeks. They kept me in because I kept saying I wanted to die - and I meant it. I was then sent to the adolescent psychiatric unit in Middlesbrough, but I was still cutting myself. It was the only way I could cope with the way I felt. But finally, after 13 months in hospital, thanks to a combination of medication and therapies including art therapy, I slowly began to recover.

    I’d always been artistic and I started to find drawing a real distraction. I hadn’t completely stopped cutting myself, but it wasn’t as severe as before.

    In February, I was discharged, just a few months before my 16th birthday. I felt elated and wanted a fresh start. So I enrolled at college to do art and design as well as photography. I also found a flat share with some girls on my course.

    Of course, it wasn’t easy to make friends initially. I still felt so shy and uncertain, but I learned that not everyone was a bully. Some people actually liked me, and I started feeling quite optimistic.

    It felt so good to be putting my energies into something creative. While I was drawing or painting, I’d forget completely about the cutting.

    When I found out I’d got a place at the University of Westminster to study art, I was ecstatic. Three months after moving to London I felt strong enough to come off the medication, and gradually the self-harming stopped.

    It’s been 10 months since I last cut myself - the longest I’ve ever gone. Like any addict, I can’t promise I’ll never do it again. But it used to be the first thing I’d turn to, and it’s not any more.

    As for boyfriends, one ex did see the scars. I was nervous about showing him, but he said they were beautiful because they were part of me.

    I’ve been happily single since moving to London, but when I meet someone I like I know I’ll have the strength to look him in the eye and tell him what I’ve been through.

    When my new friends have asked about my scars, I’ve simply said: ‘I used to self-harm,’ and left it at that. They don’t ask prying questions, but some have confessed how awkward my scars used to make them feel.

    I don’t ever flaunt my scars on holiday - I would never wear just a bikini, I always cover up with a kaftan. So posing like this was a nerve-racking decision. But being able to do it just shows me how far I’ve come in the past few years. And if it makes other young girls think twice about self-harming, then it’s worth it.

    I’m now 21 and it’s still hard for me to look at my reflection without feeling regret. But as much as the scars bother me, I also know that the intense misery and pain that I used to feel have faded. For me, that’s what really matters.”

    Self-harming: the facts
    • Almost one in three young women have tried to self-harm.*
    • People who self-harm are 50 times more likely to kill themselves.*
    • The UK has one of the highest rates of self-harm in Europe, at 400 per 100,000 of the population.*
    ‘A physical wound is easier to deal with than an emotional one’

    Dr Charlie Alcock is a clinical psychologist, and founder and CEO of the young person’s mental health charity MAC-UK.

    “When someone goes to the extreme of self-harming it’s usually because it’s the only way they can deal with a stressful or upsetting situation.

    They may feel they can’t control what happens around them, but they can control what they do to their body.

    As it’s generally quite a secretive illness, it’s sometimes hard to spot a self-harmer. They often hurt themselves in places that can’t be seen, so only they know they’ve done it.

    If you’re worried that someone you know is self-harming, get help. The main port of call should be a GP, who can refer them to a trained expert. But if the sufferer doesn’t feel ready to talk about it face to face with someone there are many online support groups. If an injury is severe then always go straight to A&E.”

    • For help and support, visit Selfharm.co.uk, Mind.org.uk or MAC-UK’s site, Musicandchange.com. Alternatively, call the National Self Harm Network on 0800 622 6000.


    gorgeous <3

    12. Reblogged from starsinthegutter

    source: dirtyscratches

    Apr 25, 2012

  12. misspeanuthead:

    chronicillnesscat:

    neofuckingpets:

    neopianbizarre:

    hammerandsaw:

    mother-rucker:

    This is absolutely ridiculous. And no, I haven’t watched it all the way through yet - I’m at about 5 minutes in right now - so I can’t say if it’s worth it to watch it all the way through, but it probably is.

    I can honestly say I am ashamed of our education system at this point.

    This absolutely sickens me. It hits really close to home, too— I’m a member of the New Jersey Public School system. I also have 8 year old cousins, whom I love dearly, who are autistic. One has problems communicating, and it scares me to death to think that something like this could be happening to him, and we’d have no way of knowing. 

    As an adult with autism I started crying about two and a half minutes in
    This is really close to home for me

    This isn’t neopets related at all but I feel like people should see this so I’m posting this here

    I can’t

    It’s so rare to see someone who’s such a good parent in the autistic community it really is.

    People might not think that some of the things these adults did were ‘serious’ but you know what, it IS serious. Failing to uphold an agreed behavioural plan and lying to a child’s parents because you know he can’t tell them that you yelled at and demeaned him for behaviours that are out of his control is serious. Telling a frightened child that he will not be allowed to see his father again and then laughing at him while he cries is extremely fucking serious. Calling a ten year old with a learning difficulty ‘a bastard’ because you know he can’t tell anyone is very, very fucking serious.

    And allowing someone to do those things, colluding with them to avoid punishment, is EXACTLY as serious.

    People who bully children, any children, SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO WORK WITH CHILDREN, and you cannot tell me that the reason this was ignored isn’t because these children had disabilities because I’m sorry, that’s almost certainly what it is. 

    i had to reblog this

    I know this is a humor blog and this isn’t a humorous video, but please take the time to watch it all the same. Sign the petition here.

    this broke my heart.

    13. Reblogged from makethesemilesdisappear

    source: youtube.com

    Apr 24, 2012

  13. No H8! 

    14. Reblogged from everyonesays-youjustgottaletitgo

    source: homofiction

    Apr 23, 2012

    15. Reblogged from suzaypoo

    source: not-changing-for-you

    Apr 22, 2012

  15. marinavampire: Beautiful!

    marinavampire:

    Beautiful!

    16. Reblogged from janeshadows

    source: thisisnotmyfairytaleendingg

    Apr 22, 2012

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