A Tattoo That Says 1000 Words

By: Taylor Peters | Posted: Mar 09, 2017

A Tattoo That Says 1000 Words

Etched across my back are two lines that ebb and flow. This may seem like a simple design to some, but it alludes to my complex story without using a single word. It is the awareness symbol for disordered eating; my tattoo tells the world that the taboo mental illness has played a starring role in my young life. I frequently field questions and receive compliments on the various pieces of art that cover the right side of my body. But on a few rare occasions, kind words will come from a person who went out of their way to comment specifically on my back tattoo. In these special moments, I can see instantaneously within the eyes of the other person a degree of understanding that is only produced through shared lived experience.

I know when these individuals state, “The tattoo on your back is beautiful,” they are actually saying, “I know what you’ve been through, I have been there too.” An image that may seem simple to some provides space for two people to safely share their mental illness, enabling them to convey empathy to one another without exchanging a single word.

- Taylor Peters

Thank you Taylor for sharing this with BridgePoint! Past participant stories are such an inspiration to us all.

Testimonials

Eating disorders are a lifetime struggle and I strongly believe in building and maintaining a strong positive support system. I am so thankful for the BridgePoint programs for planting the seed of self-acceptance that I needed at that time to begin my road to recovery.

I trust everyone and the confidentiality and the trust here. It's difficult at times, very emotional and it's hard dealing with a lot of feelings but it's what you have to do and it feels so better much and so supportive.

There's no comparison to anything else I've tried and it’s a real blessing and an opportunity to be able to come here and an opportunity not to be taken lightly. It's a privilege to be here and I know that I will leave here a different person.

I can identify the issues and accept them and be able to learn how to work with that. I think over time we can say goodbye to the eating disorder. There is freedom at the end of the tunnel, but it takes work.

It's not about being broken and getting fixed, it's that we are all individuals who have pain and we're learning how to cope in a very healthy way.

The fact that BridgePoint operates so differently than the traditional medical model was very refreshing, and proved to be vital to my experience and healing.

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A Tattoo That Says 1000 Words