i was talking to one of my old friends from high school. she asked me if i still wore my blue bracelet. she said she wears hers still. when i realized what she was asking i told her no. i told her i am trying to get help, not destroy my body anymore. it sorta ended our conversation.
ana/mia bracelets are a way for girls (in general) to state to others who know what it is that they are anorexic/bulimic. most people don't know what they are so they won't say anything. there were a lot of girls who wore them in high school where i went. we would pass notes that said 'hold fast' on them right before lunch period. we sent them through the hallways to anyone wearing a single red bracelet on left wrist(ana) or a single blue bracelet on the right wrist(mia). now that i think back, we had no idea how twisted it was.
i remember when a new girl would come in wearing one. we would welcome her in. show her wear the best places to eat so you could throw half your food away and not be seen were and if you needed to, where to puke so the wrong person wouldn't hear you. if you needed a 'bathroom buddy' to guard the stall so no one would ask questions. it was so weird how we thought all that was okay and normal.
i think back and i used to be one of the main ones giving the 'tutorials' on where and how so you didn't get caught. i would do it because i had a personality that made people feel welcome and comforted. i think back, i used to help people destroy their life with ED. now i just want to get my @$$ away from ED.
if you see someone wearing an ana/mia bracelet, they are sick just as we are, just not ready to get help yet. not even on the anonymity of the internet. put them in your thoughts. if you are close to them try to give them courage to get or even want help.
a lot of people don't know. it is something you find in pro ana/mia circles. unfortunately i was a big part of them when i was younger. once you know, you start looking around, you see it. especially in treatment facilities. the girls with the red and blue bracelets (usually jelly bracelets but can be pieces of string or anything that is a solid red or blue) are the ones i would be careful around. they are most likely the ones who still hang on to ED and were usually forced into treatment. usually they will be the ones who can 'help' you find ways around the clinics rules about food and such. for the most part, they are still clinging to the idea ED is the salvation.
never heard of this before either. almost as sick as pro-ana sites. they really need to educate better in schools!
i'm glad you're out of it scarlette!!
i really wish they would make recovery bracelets--now that i would soo wear---
lilac----so proud to hear you say 'recovery here i come!'
and you know i have never thought of getting a tatoo but that one tatoo intrigues me each day... i would like to have that tatoo also--but im afraid of those tatoo needles!!!!!! ughhh.. LOL! that is why is so hope they come out with a bracelet!
LOL...
i so feel sad for those girls with the bracletes--but i tell you one thing--i promise in my lifetime to help----get these young girls out of this hell somehow or another. they just would have to be willing though... anyway, that is my promise--and i dont know how i can do this --but ill try my best. the only thing i can think of now is volunteering at NEDA or becoming an ED specialist. or also i am sooo going to write a self help book on ED--now that i am going to do..
i was scared of tattoo needles when i got my first tattoo. i was so scared. my friend was like if i pay them in advance you can't back out. i said okay pay first. so she paid. the needle didn't bother me too much. it was the noise if anything. it didn't really hurt either. the more muscle you have on the spot you get it, the better. the closer to the bone and more detail hurts. i actually have three full tats now. two of them were done in steps. (one tat took three steps, one took two)the less color you get helps too. the more colors you add, the the more it hurts because they have to clean out the needles between colors. but it is not as scary as getting blood drawn i can tell you that. and it lasts a lifetime so make sure you like what you get. i think they are worth it if they mean something to you.
I dont have a tattoo, it would be my first...the needles dont scare me, just the permaent factor of a tattoo does...but hey, i'll take this one..what an awesome everyday reminder. I showed you it M...its tasteful right?
OH geez yes---it is so awesome ! heck i want one!!!!! i asked joe right now for one---and he said no tatoos for you! ughhhhhh ... that so sucked....
anyway--it think it would be great for you!!!!! really!
it would be a great everday reminder--i mean with recovery tatooed on your body --how can ED fight that??? i mean recovery would be embedded in you.
I wear a purple bracelet that symbolizes recovery. I know a lot of girls in my treatment program actually wore purple bracelets as a recovery symbol. Also, people sent us purple bracelets as recovery symbols.
This is a great idea…I have a recovery tattoo…it’s the recovery symbol, and also the NEDA logo.
There are several recovery bracelets out there…some are individual memorial bracelets (I have a great supply from a family who lost a daughter to AN), or you could customize those that are woven, etc.
Patrick Bergstrom has on his website, “I Chose To Live” bracelets that I really like…not very expensive either. For any of you on Facebook, search “I Chose To Live”, and you can also find his website.
Take care…Jan
thanks ashley.
that's right. a purple ribbon. where was my mind? you know who a pink ribbon on your shirt symbolizes breast cancer awareness? a purple ribbon is for ED awareness. a purple bracelet can be the same. a plain purple bracelet.
