Tatuaż na twarzy pomógł jej w leczeniu traumy z dzieciństwa

A mum of two from Iceland has revealed her Viking face tattoo is more than just a form of expression; it helps her keep her mental health in check. Born into a tumultuous household with a drug-addicted mother and an alcoholic father, 41-year-old Rona Eriksen's childhood was marred by instability and abuse. "I grew up with four siblings, an opioid-addicted mum, and a dad who was always drinking. My childhood was a nightmare and really messed me up mentally," shared Rona. "School wasn't any escape because I was bullied all the time. When my dad left us in the late 80s, and my mum got full custody, I jumped from school to school – going to six different ones. We moved so often I could never make any real friends." Rona's challenges intensified in her early teens when she suddenly stopped speaking. While doctors attributed this muteness to late-onset autism, looking back, she believes her silence was actually a form of self-protection. Rona's journey into the world of tattoos began at 15 when she first visited a tattoo and piercing studio in Reykjavik with her brother. "While flipping through the tattoo catalogues, I came across this design of a tiny, plump devil girl, topless and proudly wielding a pitchfork. It sparked something in me - a voice I could identify with," recalled Rona. "Given all the hate I'd received, I felt demonised by my mum. If I was to be cast as the villain, I thought, 'Let's make it visible to the world'. The moment the tattoo needle pierced my skin, it was like a wet fire - a sharp, new kind of pain, challenging yet exhilarating. A month later, craving balance to reflect my kind and sensitive side, I returned and got an angel tattooed on my other shoulder." Rona had no idea at the time how crucial tattoos would be in helping her navigate the many challenges. "I fell pregnant at 19, and by 20, I had my second child. Being financially broke and dealing with the intense needs of my firstborn, who has multiple disabilities, nearly broke me and left me functioning on autopilot for years. Then, in 2009, the financial crisis hit Iceland's healthcare hard, forcing me to flee the country with my kids as all the support services for my son vanished," Rona shared. Every new challenge she faced led her back to the tattoo parlour. Her tattoos evolved with her, incorporating symbols like guidance runes and Odin's ravens, deeply connecting her to her Norse roots. "In 2017, I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My body was failing, and amidst this health battle, my marriage was falling apart. My then-husband wanted a divorce, and my autoimmune disease was proving incredibly difficult to manage. I found myself back at square one - a place where, paradoxically, we often rediscover ourselves," noted Rona. "One day at work, while flipping through a historical magazine, I came across a painting of Hel, the Norse goddess, the daughter of Loki and a giantess whom Odin sent to the underworld to oversee the unworthy. Her depiction, half-human and half-death, resonated deeply with me. Hel undertook her grim task with such grace that she became one of the most revered figures in Norse mythology, and Hell itself is named after her. In that image, I finally saw the reflection of my own face, which I had longed to reclaim. The intricate Celtic carving of her skull was compelling, and undergoing the eight-hour tattoo session to place her on my face felt not just worthwhile but transformative - I was reborn." Following her facial tattoo, Rona found a renewed focus on self-care and embraced trauma therapy to rebuild herself. "I discovered street soccer, which reaffirmed the importance of my physical health. I represented Norway in the 2019 Street Soccer World Cup in Wales, where we placed second in the Celtic Cup, and later that year, we claimed victory in the Nordic Cup in Finland. Unfortunately, a knee injury shortly after returning home ended my brief but impactful soccer career. I then channelled my energy back into therapy, uncovering more diagnoses like ADHD, NEAD, C-PTSD, and a dissociative disorder with heavy amnesia - as a result of a lifetime of trauma. This journey through hardship has empowered me to finally break away from the destructive family I was once part of." Today, Rona is an advocate for mental health and trauma recovery, using her personal experiences to educate and support others. "I help people through traumas and have lectures on the importance of being seen when you grow up in a dysfunctional environment," she stated. "Some individuals are destined to endure great hardships to guide and enlighten others. I am one such individual." Featuring: Rona Eriksen When: 19 Apr 2024 Credit: @ronajarls/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**