In March, Alex spoke to PAVE: Prevent Assault and Violence Education, a group that focuses on preventing school violence in Licking County, OH. The because I said I would message had a profound affect on one PAVE member in particular.
Alexis is sixteen years old and has been diagnosed with Clinical Depression, OCD, Generalized Anxiety, Anxiety Otherwise Unspecified, Social Anxiety, and Panic Disorder. After Alex’s speech, Alexis tagged her promise card on Instagram. It read, “I promise those I love and who love me: I will beat my record and go 78+ days without self-harming.” Alex posted the photo to Facebook with the message, “Alexis, shatter that record and don’t ever go back.”
Alexis keeps a blog (http://astudentsrambling.wordpress.com) to document her battle with, and recovery from, depression. On June 4th she published a post titled “Understanding PAVE & a Promise.” The post describes Alex’s presentation to PAVE and the impact it had on the members of the organization, especially the impact it had on her. That same day, she reached out to Alex with some truly great news.
As of June 4, 2013, Alexis has gone 143 days without self-harming or having suicidal thoughts. She fulfilled her promise and she has nearly doubled her record. In her own words, “…I have no intention or desire to stop that from going further. That little card has helped me so much [to realize] how far I’ve come.”
All of us at because I said I would are incredibly proud of Alexis and the fulfillment of her promise. Alexis, keep fighting, and keep your promise every day.