Today We Begin!

Last week I had the opportunity to travel to Tucson, Arizona - a true beginning for this journey. I had the honor of  being interviewed on KVOA News4, Kgu9 Morning Blend, and KNST 790 am Money Matters radio talk show, and to speak to the Girls Scouts of Southern Arizona. Launching my journey in Tucson means so much to me.  The love and support that I've received has been just amazing and it inspires to keep going. I believe that greater things are definitely ahead for CHEETAH Movement. 

What this experience has revealed to me is that it is important to be open and willing to all things that come our way. If I'm going to tell my truth - tell all of my truth - it's this - we must stay true to who we are, ALWAYS! I don't look at it as just my story, this is OUR story, OUR truth, and we're gonna rise up together. I envision this blog to be an outlet for expression, awareness, healing and community outreach. We all are going through the same things but each one of us will embrace those situations differently, bringing our light and our unique perceptions to them. Being a teenager is hard! We are faced with changing hormones, peer pressure, bullying, mental illnesses, doubts everyday. And so often we feel we are all alone in this life. 

I am thrilled to announce today that this blog will become a platform for expressing those emotions; our fears, our joys, our lives. I invite you to the submit your poetry, music, fiction, art, video, photography, etc. to us. Everyone is different and that's the beauty of it because you are expressing yourself in a way that only you can, while actually letting people know that they're not alone. Your expression and courage to share will benefit us all. 

Strength and recovery all start with one person deciding they can't be silent any longer. I believe that once everyone else sees that it's okay to speak out everything else will follow. My blog is a judge- free zone, where you can feel comfortable expressing yourself. We are all in this together, struggling with the same issues and striving to live life in the positive light. Our artistic expression is a beautiful way to work through our healing process and to reach out to the world around us - WE ARE NOT ALONE!

My friend, Larry Hearne wrote a poem about CHEETAH Movement, it has touched and inspired me so much that it is how I will introduce the new direction of my blog. I love how he talked about CHEETAH Movement and broke down what each letter stood for while spicing it up a little and adding his own words of encouragement. He's definitely a leader, he's a great friend who has helped me through some really tough times. His poems have touched my heart so deeply and that's what helped me through - to know that I wasn't alone. He's authentic and everything he does is from the heart. He tells a story that almost anyone can relate to out there and that's enough to give someone that sense of hope and strength.  

Live in your light CHEETAHS - we got this! 


The Cheetah Within by Larry Hearn

Send your submissions to: mel@MELMediallc.com TODAY!!!

The Journey Begins in Tucson, Arizona!

Sometimes we may question why we go through what we go through, but it's only to make us better as humans and to know how to handle different circumstances that may try to hinder us. Everything happens for reason, there's always a bigger picture behind it all. It’s not always easy to look on the bright side of a situation when you're going through it. It's so hard to find that light at the end of the tunnel; the tunnel we may feel that is never ending darkness. We have to make the decision that we don't want to live in darkness and make strides toward finding that light deep down inside of us.

KGUN9 Morning Blend

I never imagined myself advocating for self-harm and suicide prevention. Honestly, I pictured myself dead or spending my whole life in residentials. I am so blessed and honored to be advocating for something that is so much more of an issue in our country than we imagine. This is a way of taking my life back.

Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona

It brings so much joy to my heart to know that I can help so many people. This issue relates to everyone in some way, they may be going through it, or have a relative or friend suffering. It would help them to know they're not alone and also to have a better understanding of what it really is. It also means so much to me to be a voice in ending the stigmas surrounding mental health. Having a mental illness doesn't mean that we can't live a normal, productive and happy life.

My Mama at the KGUN9 Studios

I reflect often on everything I went through; back and forth to the hospital, hearing about my illness, and just feeling so depressed, not wanting to another day. I’ve gained a lot of great things from it all. One thing in particular that I’ve taken from my journey is that to really understand mental illness you have to go through it either personally or have someone you truly love go through it. I actually embrace my mental illnesses because it helps me understand others that are going through the same thing and to remember that we are all human. Mental illness doesn't define us or make us any different from being just that. However, we are unique in our own ways, we have different qualities to add to the world.

KVOA News4 

Just imagine if we all pitched in with our unique qualities what a beautiful world it could be. What if everyone worked on believing in each other, offering hope and encouragement and possibilities! I'm just hoping with CHEETAH movement that I can be a part of creating that world.

I'm so excited that I'm launching this journey in Arizona.

Arizona basketball legend Bob Elliott

There's so much love here, people are willing to listen and embrace the CHEETAH movement. The support I’ve received from the Tucson community has been outstanding and I am so grateful. I cannot put in enough words to express how I feel about this beautiful journey I am about to embark on. I wouldn't be where I am without the continuous support of people that matter most in my life. A huge thanks to CHEETAH movement supporters, you guys are the ones who motivate me to keep going. It's your constant encouragement that gives me the strength never to turn back. I'll definitely keep changing the world one day at a time. 
View my appearance on KGUN9 Morning Blend:
http://www.kgun9.com/morning-blend/kenidra-woods-cheetah-movement

Much love Cheetahs, wishing you all the best and I hope that you all will continue to follow this amazing journey. XOXO 💖

Back to the Beginning...

I truly appreciate you all. Knowing that we are all in this together is HUGE! I want to share my full story with you. I imagine you will find many similarities to your own struggles and that is my goal for CHEETAH Movement: To connect and to unite against the very real problem of teen self-harm and attempted suicide. To provide inspiration and more importantly, to let y’all know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE -THERE IS HELP.

 It all started when I was in the 5th grade. My very close great aunt passed away, I was extremely devastated. This is something that I haven’t talked about much, because it brings back so many emotions of sadness and also some resentment. I was first introduced to self-harm in the 5th grade. My friend used to take safety pins, tacks, or anything sharp she could get a hold of and cut herself right in front of me. At the time I didn't know that it was very dangerous or life threatening, so I didn’t tell anyone. She had endured sexual abuse and she told,  but nothing was done about it.

We didn't necessarily feel the same pain, but at least we felt connected by talking to each other daily. I asked her why she cut herself and she told me how it helped her, that it took away the pain she felt from her sexual abuse. She suggested I do it, which shocked me. I simply told her,  "I would never do that because it's crazy." But then 5th grade came to an end and things got so much worse for me. As I began Sixth grade I started to write down all my thoughts, how I was feeling at time. It was a tough year for me. 

Then 7^th grade started and that is when I began to consider self-harm and suicide. I’m talking “24/7” – it was always on my mind. I couldn’t stand the emotional pain I was feeling. I was taken to the hospital for a mandatory psychiatric evaluation. I didn't tell them everything so I was released and I left feeling the same way. I felt that no one cared about how I bad I was feeling. But I was keeping it all inside, so no one could be there for me. It was during my 8th grade year that I began acting on all the thoughts I had. I wanted people to see how much pain I was really in.

When I first started cutting it was seeing blood, but realizing that I was still there and that I was still a human being with feelings, that really got to me. I also had another evaluation in the 8th grade but a scheduled appointment the next day with a psychologist saved me from having to stay. Ninth grade was a very crucial time for me. I was in a very dark place and I couldn't find my way out. I cut my arms in places that I had never cut before. It surprised me that I could do that to myself, but not enough for me to stop. 

In the beginning, I wasn’t cutting to kill myself; it was to take away the emotional pain and anxiety that was consuming me. It was a high that I couldn't get enough of. I was hospitalized in November 2015, a little in December and then again in January 2016. My last hospitalization was February 4, 2016. That is when it all changed for me.

This journey that I’m on has taught me so many things. Two of the most important things are: NEVER SAY NEVER because you never know what situation you might encounter through your lifetime. Also, that happiness cannot be given, destroyed, worn out, or taken away, it is something that comes from within your soul. This journey has definitely been a roller coaster but I’ve made it here AND I’M NOT GIVING UP! It’s too important and dear to me now, and so much bigger than just my part in it.

Never ever feel like it is the end of the road for you! I'm thankful for all the support love and support I have had through this hard time. Sometimes we need to hear that we are important and that our life is valuable and much more than our past or obstacles we've run into. God has been my #1 strength through it all. He kept me - and that's why I'm alive today - speaking my truth open heartedly! 

Always remember that you are way stronger than you may believe. You don't know what you can overcome or get through, that's why believing in yourself is so important! If you ever feel like you can't turn to anyone else, turn to God he loves us NO MATTER WHAT, that's real love!

I love you!

My Name is Kenidra...

My name is Kenidra, I’m 15 and I’ve experienced the pain and suffering of self-harm and attempted suicide over the past few years. I’m here to tell you that you can get through it and you don’t have to do it alone. I created the 'CHEETAH Movement' because I have a really deep passion for helping others and making them know that they’re worth it all! I have been through some really tough times and if I can help even one person suffer less or not go down that path at all, I am blessed. I may only be 15, but I’ve lived through a lifetime of pain and now I am working daily to move beyond that suffering and to help others.

These past weeks I have had a lot going on! Many doors have been opened and my dream of helping others cope with depression/self-harm and suicide is becoming more of a reality than I ever imagined. So it is time to write and offer support through this blog. Thank you for stopping by – read on and reach out – I’m here for you!

I did my first radio interview this past week with Mesh Neal

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/meshneal

Although, I was very excited to share my story, I was also a bit nervous because it was my first interview on the radio and I didn't want to mess it up. I just really wanted it to go nice and smoothly. And it did! I have a positive belief that I can rock any situation now and do great!

It was such a big success and so amazing to know how many people I'm already inspiring! I was honored to answer guest call in questions; and so sad that I couldn't get to them all. I had a bittersweet feeling because I wanted everyone to get a chance to talk to me firsthand and to let them know that I'm so grateful for each and everyone of them.

I have felt so good since the interview. In general because I told the world know my story and answered questions from callers, my peers. My voice matters and I want you all to know how much YOUR voice matters! There are people who care and will be there to support you-you are NOT alone!

It is so important to educate and raise awareness for self-harm and suicide prevention. They are topics that are not easily talked about because people are so judgmental; some get offended, and the conversation may trigger fear and negative feelings as well. My intentions aren't to offend anyone but rather to talk openly and not continue to sweep it all under the rug. Also, it is hard for many to talk about self-harm because they are afraid about what people might say. Since, they are already down they feel like people are going to bring them down even more. It's never right to judge anything that you have no knowledge or understanding of.

In the end, I'm only trying to save change and save lives! I want to advocate for open conversation on these topics because awareness is the first step.  I am compelled to share my journey and to let the world know that self-harm is REAL, depression is REAL, mental illness is REAL, and suicide is REAL, we MUST end the stigma!! I want you to know that there are some up days and down days and that you can really get through self-harm and suicidal tendencies if you believe in your heart that you want more and that your life truly is meaningful.

 I just want you all to know that I love you from the very bottom of my heart! I’ve been there and I’m here for you.

You guys rock!

Silent Screams Short Film Trailer

Cameo Sherrell and I met on Instagram. Not long after, she  reached out to me about "Silent Screams" the short film she'd written and directed. Cameo is an actress and model who lives in LA. This is her debut as a director. She shared that telling this story was so meaningful to her, and how proud of me she was for telling my story. The film is about self-harming in the black community. Something that is much more prevalent than you may imagine. 

"Silent Screams" connects to my story alot. One thing for sure is that it expresses how you don't have to be a certain race or color to self-harm, however, the statistics are extremely high within the black community. Many people believed the stereotype that only whites self-harmed. Truth is, it's not that blacks don't self-harm, it's just not as openly discussed because in our community we are less likely to talk openly about it; because of our cultural backgrounds, and religious views. 

Mental illness, self-harm and suicide are real in my age group, in EVERY community. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. The message in "Silent Screams" expresses much of what I'm trying I get out by sharing my story and through the efforts of the CHEETAH Movement. It is very encouraging and motivational. I felt so many emotions while watching the film, you will too! 

This is a must watch because we should end stigmas attached to self-harm and mental illness that affect so many, across all cultural boundaries. 

Here is the trailer for Cameo Sherrell's new film "Silent Screams"

Hope you guys enjoy! 😊