Today I posted a link to one of the saddest stories I came across, a suicide note from a trans teenager. It was so heart-wrenching that I had to share it with my brothers and sisters here at Susan's because I couldn't process it by myself.
I apologize if it triggered anyone. It was seriously upsetting. Here is the link if you're willing to allow your heartstrings to be tugged: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,180561.0.html (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,180561.0.html)
I need to say this to all the mods, to all the admins, and to anyone who has ever answered a questions on one of the forums or put up a supportive post:
YOU ARE THE REASON WHY THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN MORE OFTEN!!!
Sometimes we casually make our posts and responses and don't stop to think HOW MANY LIVES this site is saving. Yes we're losing far too many. But there are also countless others who come here and find what they need: the answers, the support, the validation, the fellowship, and simply the knowledge that they are not alone or damaged.
So remember this whenever you make a post you're not sure anyone will read, respond to someone who doesn't seem to be ready to hear you, or just lend support. If you're a mod, remember this whenever you deal with a disgruntled member who takes exception to site policies. If you're an admin, remember this whenever you deal with a server crash or software glitch.
Please remember that every thing we do to keep this site active is very literally saving lives.
Thank you so much for that post.
If I have saved a single life, ever helped anyone in a time of need, or even brightened one's day, then my time here has been well spent.
Hugs to all of you!
Thanks Suzi. Apart from the friendship and support I personally receive here, that is by far the number reason I am here to help. Having been through the wringer the first time I tried to transition, back when there wasn't a Susan's let alone an Internet, I know that a site like this would have been invaluable for me then.
An all too painful reminder of why I drive about 900 miles once a month to visit my house in the boonies of WV and then on to my TG Support group, also in the boonies. An angel or two there were instrumental in saving my life.
Thank you Suzi for spending your time also here.
We all come here to give support and life experiences.
Contrary to some we spend so much time trying to keep the site on a even keel.
It's not easy but the staff I am with are so awesome.
Our forum membership are just as awesome on helping and supporting.
Susan what can I say. She give so much to keep this forum up and running for everyone.
She could easily walk away but she gives and gives.
Remember to reach out. Remember love.
Again Thank you Susan's community family.
Stay safe, hugs.
I for one can say someone from this site saved my life when I was truly on the edge and just seconds away. For some reason known only to those above she PM ed me at just the right time and out of the blue.She had no clue what I was contemplating and about to do but her words brought me back from the abyss into life. I am forever indebted to her. Patty
well, I can vouch for being saved. I lived 60 years in pain and loneliness , my time had come, I've done some wacko things in my life , but I was truly ready to join my Lord who has kept me alive this long. I started HRT and went looking for a place to hang out and found this warm place. I want to thank Susan and everyone for being here . its a good place to hang out. I've always tried my best to help out in life and Susan created something good. I hope I can lend a hand to someone on the brink as I was. We need so much love to be spread around and children need to see life not hate.
I saw this on my Facebook, from a friend that works at lambda legal. Very sad.
The people here helped save my life in late 2012 early 2013. I was at that point for a period of time and the people here held me while my therapist and primary care got me through the dark times.
There are so many here that helped and it would not be possible without Susan's site; I am grateful. Your posts during that period meant the difference between life and death.
I remember when I was most fragile I posted I was going to tell my wife when she came home from the movies. Someone posted to not do that at that time and wait to see the therapist. If I had told her, knowing now her reaction, I would have ended that night. It just would have been too much. I told her 3 months later and even then it was a lot to manage but I had prepared and role played and practiced with my therapist.
Thank you all for being there for me.
I have three messages that mean the world to me. Two are from members here thanking me for making them call a suicide hotline when they needed that assistance. The third came to my email from someone who isn't a Susan's member, but thanked me for always standing up for people who weren't transitioning, ie Drag Queens, CDs, Genderfluid, etc.
It's never ok for a parent to force their child to be who they are not. Guide and challenge appropriately, yes, but force and threaten, never. My heart goes out to the beautiful girl who was lost, and to all others in similar situations.
God doesn't make mistakes, but humans do, and our world is a human world where genetic mistakes abound.
Thank you to all who welcome and understand, you take the place of an understanding heart, giving many people a light to look towards when all seems dark. I love to see the "Suicide Hotlines" threads that are stickied here at Susan's, I'm sure they have saved many lives.
Blessings to you all.