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TW: addiction, abuse, biology.
Periods and menstruation.. I can't stop thinking about people who depend on structure to look after themselves. In particular, young people in vulnerable situations who don't have access to period products at the best of times, who now feel lost.
Periods and menstruation.. I can't stop thinking about people who depend on structure to look after themselves. In particular, young people in vulnerable situations who don't have access to period products at the best of times, who now feel lost.
There can be many reasons - but in my case, I came from a very abusive household. We didn't have a mum around to look after us, to confide in, to ask for help. I bought my first pack of sanitary towels with wages I got from Youthreach when I was 15. First period was my 13th bday.
I've spoken about my mother's problems before; she was adopted from the Orders. Her mother died when she was 10, so she didn't have anyone around in her teens. At 23, her partner died of heroin OD, and it destroyed her completely. She never got over it. She became an alcoholic.
When she was 28 and I was 7, she met her boyfriend who would go on to abuse me for the next 16 years. I tried to go to the police when I was 12 and was placed in foster care before being returned to my family without any charges. My mother took her he's side from the start. But..
Again, she broke, and this time for good. She couldn't face the truth and stopped coming home...leaving me there with him.
I read a lot and learned quickly that I was not to blame for his actions. But I was completely in his power. He paid for rent, food, everything.
I read a lot and learned quickly that I was not to blame for his actions. But I was completely in his power. He paid for rent, food, everything.
When my mother did come home, life was even worse. Endless screaming rows and violence, drink and drugs. She was the last person I could turn to. School was a living hell - I couldn't focus in class, my homework was never done, I had no bits like books or PE kit: "Troublemaker".
There was not one single teacher I could approach. When I got my period, I would wad together toilet roll and place it in a black sock. I lived in fear that it might slip, there was no security as with, say, Bodyform pads. I dreaded that time of the month. Dreaded it. It was hell
I suffered really severe cramps too - I was taken to hospital and my appendix removed because I didn't have paracetamol. A teenager life is pretty grotty at the best of times but menstruation really made it so much worse. And so, I remember very clearly, I bled through my jeans.
I was 14. And it was him who saw the mark and he asked me, do you need sanitary towels? A gleam in his eye.
I said no. I had spent so many times wishing someone would just leave a pack of Always by my door like Santa, but never happened.
He made me answer.
I said no. I had spent so many times wishing someone would just leave a pack of Always by my door like Santa, but never happened.
He made me answer.
I had to refuse because I could not give him ANYTHING that would have power over me. And so I was mortified and ashamed and I spiralled further and got expelled, again.
It wasn't until I was given my own money that I could get the supplies I needed.
It wasn't until I was given my own money that I could get the supplies I needed.
Without a shadow of doubt I was not the only one. I am 100% certain there are others out there right now going through this awful unnecessary biological hell, every day. I'd like to think maybe they can get stuff more easily, at school, from friends.
But they're stuck in lockdown
But they're stuck in lockdown
I hear about period products for people who are homeless, or in Direct Provision. I never hear about period products for teens who have no way to obtain them. Yes, they're cheap and readily available if you can get hold of them, but not everyone can.
Today, I cried when I saw this tweet from @labour. I don't think people realise show much difference is made with a small thing like free period products. I really, really cannot emphasise enough how important this is. https://twitter.com/labour/status/1356891709205078016?s=19
It can be the difference between dignity and danger for children. Let's not put anyone in the position where something as simple as a sanitary towel can be used to coerce a child into danger. Please. It's not a nice subject but it's important. Free period products in EVERY SCHOOL
Thanks for listening to me and I'm gonna go try not to have an anxiety attack now x
Just one more thing - before you give out about teens roaming the streets during lockdown, please bear in mind they might be trying to escape horrors at home. Some are trapped in situations involving drink, drugs, domestic violence or worse for a year, now.
Withhold yr judgement.
Withhold yr judgement.
