HEALING DEEP SCARS

In today’s world, teenagers deal with multiple problems— depression, addiction, bullying, and suicide. However, a Clermont couple is helping kids cope with an issue that few people know exists.

Bill and Pam Findley have poured their hearts into helping children and teenagers who inflict selfharm by cutting. This unhealthy ritual of self-injury occurs when cutters slice their arms or legs using knives, razor blades, and pieces of glass. Physically injuring themselves is emotionally satisfying and serves as a coping mechanism for issues they’re facing. Most cutters wear pants and long-sleeved shirts to hide these cuts and scars.

Pam became aware of cutting several months ago when she entered a store wearing a “To Write Love on Her Arms” t-shirt. TWLOHA is a nonprofit organization based in Florida that helps teenagers struggling with addiction, depression, and self-injury. The 16-yearold store clerk asked if Pam was involved with the organization.

“She began explaining cutting to me and told me there are many teenagers who secretly cut themselves. This teen had attempted suicide and been expelled from school. She told me the organization saved her life.”

The conversation tugged at Pam’s heartstrings and prompted her to research the subject. She discovered that one out of every 12 teenagers cut themselves, and in many cases parents are oblivious to the problem.

“Oftentimes they cut the inside of their thighs so their parents cannot see the scars,” Pam says. “Cutting affects different types of teens—from football players and cheerleaders to kids trying to socially fit in with other students. They think they are worthless and their life is meaningless. Cutting diverts their emotional pain and lets them focus on a different pain.”

A devout Christian couple, the Findleys decided to create awareness about the issue. Realizing music is an effective avenue to deliver powerful messages to middle and high school students, they organized a concert at Real Life Christian Church in Clermont on April 8. Entertainers included Renne Yohe, a former drug addict and cutter who had written profanity all over her arms as a teenager. Yohe’s life was documented in a 2012 drama film, and she was the inspiration behind the formation of TWLHOA. Noah Schnacky, an 18-year-old actor and singer-songwriter, also performed at the event.

“It was an outstanding event, and the feedback we received from parents was phenomenal,” Pam says. “Parents and kids were crying, and mothers had their arms around their daughters.”

Since then, the Findleys have expanded their outreach. They formed Hope for Hurting Parents, a ministry to offer support to parents and family members of teenagers who inflict self-harm. The ministry will launch in late August and meet at Real Life Christian Church, where the Findleys have been members for 14 years.

“We feel like we need to do something to make a difference,” Bill says. “Cutting leads to depression, which leads to suicide. We want to reach these kids and make a positive impact before the problem spirals out of control.”