 |
| Me during my first year at university |
She attended university in the year I was born. She raged
against conformity, felt hurt, threw down words which the World deserved to
hear. She was making a point before I could even hold a pen, and it is through
people like her that the rhythm was set
for people to use the ink, express themselves. The world, my mind, now often
appears to pulse under a typeface or keyboard – yet it was this Emily who spun
the words like yarn to make the garments without which we would be defenceless.
Ultimately, It is due to people like Emily Pykett and her blog that provide the
hope that writing can, and does, make a difference.
I wonder how she has
broken through the glass box she mentions, surrounding her undergraduate self.
But perhaps ‘broken’ is the wrong expression. For Emily’s words echo with a
sense that has not ‘broken’ and does not ‘break’ – it beats on. Perhaps she put
her hands against the glass not to crack, but to clear the condensation from
the surface, and see herself, in the mirror, as she may do today. I hope she is
proud.
Most days the mirror I see through is still shrouded in a
kind of clutter, but writing helps it to
clear – it makes me realise that if glass surrounds me, it can assume the form
of mirror or window and suggest possibility, clarity. This is what Emily
Pykett’s blog has brought back to me. She is an inspiration.
I wonder if she ever knew
another Emily, back then. I wonder if she had to face the fear of the
under-discussion of mental health alone. She fought to make the situation
better for an Emily of her future, and I
hope she feels that. Emily is not alone. The continued writing and discussion
of mental health awareness shows that the benefits, the inclusiveness, can
extend to so many. So yes, Emily is not alone. Anyone, of any identity, from
any background, should feel that they can express themselves, express their
minds. I hope this gives people hope. I follow in her footsteps. I am Emily and
I am not alone.
I am attempting to
launch a campaign concerned with increasing the awareness of mental health
issues but also changing the language involved within – increasing acceptability
and interactivity. I will keep you updated.
No comments:
Post a Comment