Semicolon tattoos are more than just ink

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Perhaps you've noticed folks, like sisters Justine Yoho and Robin Francini of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, sporting tattoos in the shape of semicolons. It's a global movement. And like most tattoos, there's a story behind it.

The idea is known as Project Semicolon, a nonprofit movement that represents hope and love to those who are struggling with things like depression, suicide, addiction and self-injury.

As the website www.projectsemicolon.com explains, "a semicolon is used when an author could've chosen to end their sentence, but chose not to. The author is you and the sentence is your life."

The notion made Robin sob.

"I called my sister and told her it represented our lives and our struggles," she said.

Robin and Justine, both in their late 50s, have been through a great deal in their lives — and yet they've done more than just merely survive.

Robin was born with one kidney, and she made many visits to the doctor and hospital when she was a youngster. "The doctors told my parents I would be dead before I reached 12. My husband was diagnosed with a hideous illness 20 years before he died. My son was born at 27 weeks. And I've suffered from anxiety since I was a child."

Justine has had an equally difficult life. "I suffer from depression. It's a daily battle," she said, adding that she also suffers from chronic pancreatitis.

Still with all of their setbacks, the pair, who have the loving support of their friends and families, certainly lead interesting lives.

If you've attended a Rubber City Rollergirls bout, you may have noticed them. They are part of a small group called the Jeer Leaders. Their purpose is to cheer on the roller derby team, stir up a crowd, and teasingly annoy referees, using cheap plastic horns that emit a blast akin to those on 18-wheelers.

"You might be surprised" who suffers from depression, said Justine, adding that if someone saw her acting silly, it's doubtful they would know her dark battle.

The sisters are kindred spirits, seeing each other through the good and the bad.

"I think without her (Robin's) support, I wouldn't be here," Justine said, crying.

HUMOR HELPS

When Robin told her sister about Project Semicolon, Justine, who has two other tattoos, was instantly excited. Robin? Not so much.

"I'm terrified of needles, so I went first. It hurt like the bejeebers," Robin joked, who crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue during the 10-minute inking. "I rate it somewhere between having my tonsils out at 27 years old and childbirth."

But on a serious note, Robin maintains the experience was freeing.

"It was almost as if I let all of that (anxiety) go. It's amazing," Robin said. "And as corny as it sounds, it changed my life.

"A semicolon means that the story is still going to go on. And, for us, that's what the tattoo stands for — our stories aren't over and we are choosing to keep going."

If it weren't for the "bejeebers" part, I might get a semicolon tat myself.

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©2015 Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)

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