Healing with Ink
CUMBERLAND, RI (WLNE) – Inside Beautiful Ink in Cumberland, Trisha Parenteau is touching up one of her many tattoos.
Each one representing the breast cancer battle she won five years ago.
“I lost my hair, I had no breasts, I got my teeth knocked out, and I have all of these scars”, says Parenteau.
So she got a tattoo, transforming each one of her scars into art. “I had a clear slate and had a new canvas to do art on”.
She found getting inked helped not only her physical appearance, but also her mental health. That’s why four years ago, she created the non–profit organization “Boobifcation”: Healing with Ink”, raising money so other women can cover up their battle wounds and get back their confidence like she did.
Helping survivors like Helen fisher, who beat cancer a decade ago. “When I first looked into the mirror, I was amazed that there was some art work there and not just scars, “ says Fisher.
The organization, not only helping those who won the battle, but also those who continue to fight.
Harlee Archer just found out the cancer spread to her liver. She turned to tattoos to give her the strength to keep fighting. “I chose to be apart of this because it’s so strong, says Archer.
The healing doesn’t end there for these women. Trisha recently adding free photo shoots for women to show off their new “you”.
Behind the camera, retired firefighter John Gregson. Each click of the camera, capturing their new found beauty and helping them reclaim their identity. “It’s almost like I’m freeing them and showing them that they still got it and you are still the woman who you forget you were, “ says Gregson.
For Trisha, it’s a chance to help them put their own badge on an experience they had no control over. “You lose your breasts, you lose you hair, you lose your identity as a woman, it’s hard to get that back, but we are hoping to help women to do that, “ adds Parenteau.
Trisha is hosting a bike run on August 4th at the American Legion on River street in Woonsocket to raise money for her organization. Her goal is to expand Boobification to women all across New England.
Donations to the organization can be made out to Trisha Parenteau: 35 Carnation Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2019
