by Paula | Oct 22, 2016 | Anorexia sucks
Whoot! The 2016 Madison NEDA Walk is in the books, and it’s another record breaker! We had roughly 250 walkers– and raised over $23,000 –Thanks to all who contributed and/or walked! (Donations are still being accepted through 11/9 at Madison Walk site). A local TV news was there, and aired a brief segment about the walk: NBC 15 clip.
An important part of the event is the registration timeframe–there is a flurry of activity while people check-in and receive their T-shirts and totes. (After last year’s shortages — I’m happy to report that we had plenty this year!) Walkers had a chance to visit with sponsors, read through available educational material, get a snack, talk with others, enter into the prize drawing, listen to the live music, etc.
Our first, and featured, speaker was Jonathan Tsipis, the UW women’s basketball coach: He gave a great short talk about the impact of eating disorders on young people–especially athletes, and the negative messaging about their bodies that constantly bombard young women. He was warm and engaging – both on stage and off. (Maybe I’ll start watching basketball?)
We had two speakers who spoke of their family’s loss. The speeches were incredibly moving — I admire them so much for having the courage to speak of their loss with a message of hope and recovery to others.
The top team raised $8,000–an amount that puts them on the leader board nationally as well; sadly, that team was driven by the loss of a much beloved family member in August. I truly hope her family found some small comfort by honoring her memory at the walk.
A representative from NEDA, Lauren Smolner, had flown from New York to be with us; she led us in a poignant moment of stillness and silence to remember those that have lost their battle.
The day had started cold and crispy – but the sun made a much-appreciated appearance by walk time. The walk is a 1 mile stroll around around Vilas Park–an incredibly beautiful venue; you can see pictures on the Walk FB page. The walk is symbolic and reflective- versus being any sort of race. (I later learned that one participant showed up in race gear, expecting this to be some sort of 5K event – too funny!)
Upon the walkers return to the park, we held a drawing to award the many prizes that were donated by local businesses; many walkers received restaurant gift certificates, spa certificates, etc.
An enormous thank you to: the walk sponsors, in-kind donors, committee members, volunteers, family members, speakers and the WALKERS who helped make this year’s NEDA walk both a meaningful experience and a successful fund raiser.
Together — we did something special.
by Paula | Oct 6, 2016 | Anorexia sucks, Our ED Story, Uncategorized
(written after Day 2 of last week’s NEDA Conference)
The breakfasts at the NEDA conference have been amazingly awesome. Yesterday was Monica Seles, and today I ate with a group of NEDA Walk coordinators from around the country; from Seattle to Philadelphia and many points in between.
I picked up lots of pointers for next year, and met some wonderfully dedicated women. It was therapeutic to compare notes about some of the challenges associated with putting on the walks.
The very best part of the NEDA conference is the stories of the people here, including:
A young woman whose partner had a terrifying relapse — she struggled to understand and to successfully advocate for her through multiple hospitalizations; A dad whose young son is being treated for severe anorexia and is routinely met with disbelief that a boy can be afflicted; a middle-aged man who spoke of his decades-long struggle that went un-diagnosed for most of his life; The young woman who cannot find treatment in her state; the dad who intellectually understands, but cannot emotionally get his head around why his daughter won’t eat; the young woman who clawed her way to recovery against difficult odds.
Then there is the woman whose story paralleled my own in treating her anorexic teen daughter. She shared some post-recovery insights from her daughter that rang true with me:
- “Thank you for loving me enough to let me hate you” (during refeeding).
- “Recovery is hard. Choosing recovery is even harder; parents may need to choose recovery for you, until you can choose it for yourself”.
So – right now I’m inspired and worn out and wondering what on earth I’m going to do for breakfast tomorrow!
by Paula | May 16, 2015 | Anorexia sucks
Fact or Crap is the name of an actual game (not sure by who – and I’m too lazy to go downstairs and look) The game has cards with declarative statements; and the players ‘vote’ on whether the statement is fact or crap. Welcome to my ED version of Fact or Crap!
First the quiz… then scroll down for the answers and my completely subjective assessment of the results.
FACT or CRAP
1. Anorexia has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness.
2. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, age, and race.
3. In most cases, families are to blame when a child has an eating disorder.
4. There are proven treatments for ED, that if followed carefully, and with the guidance of appropriate providers, can cure any ED patient.
5. The media causes anorexia.
6. You can tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them.
7. Recovery is possible.
8. Dieting usually does more harm than good and is a common gateway for eating disorders.
9. Most health insurance covers ED treatment with a minimum of hassle.
10. YOU can help.
Answer Key
1. Anorexia has the highest fatality rate of any mental illness. FACT: the precise percentage varies on which study you read: but approximately 15% of those diagnosed with anorexia will die of either medical complications or suicide. (Yet, research and prevention remains grossly underfunded when compared to other mental illnesses).
2. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, age, race, weight and body size. FACT: You simply cannot tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them.
3. In most cases, families are to blame when a child has an eating disorder. CRAP: In fact, families are usually the patients’ best allies in treatment.
4. There are proven treatments for ED, that if followed carefully, and with the guidance of appropriate providers, can cure any ED patient. CRAP: While there are excellent treatment facilities and providers, and many patients DO recover: each case is unique and there are no guarantees of success, even if the treatment providers and family members do everything ‘right’.
5. The media causes anorexia. CRAP. The meda certainly CONTRIBUTES to the prevelance of eating disorders; but it is not solely responsible for causing a serious eating disorder; nor does everyone exposed to the same images develop an eating disorder. Having said that, I am the FIRST in line to rally against the impossible standards of beauty and THINNESS that is imposed on all of us.
6. You can tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them. CRAP: There are many people with eating disorders, including anorexia, that appear healthy outwardly. It is common for an ED patient to have a normal or even above-normal weight, but their body can be malnourished due to the damage caused by restriction and/or purging.
7. Recovery is possible. FACT! In addition to participating in and seeing my own daughter’s recovery, I have talked to many former sufferers who shared that they never thought they could get better… but they did. While recovery is not guaranteed – its is possible!!
8. Dieting usually does more harm than good and is a common gateway for eating disorders. FACT: There have been many studies that demonstrate that dieting is very rarely effective for a sustained weight lost. Dieting should be discouraged – especially for young girls and teens.
9. Most health insurance covers ED treatment with a minimum of hassle. CRAP: Unfortunately, many carriers don’t cover residential treatment in particular; and will push back unless (or rather, until) there is a MEDICAL emergency. Finding appropriate treatments is often a significant financial burden on the impacted families.
10. YOU can help. FACT!!! Read my blog, go to the NEDA site. And WALK and/or contribute to a NEDA walk. We need you! NEDA Walk
Results (aka your role in my fictional ED band)
9-10 correct: you are an ED rockstar!
6-8 correct: On the right track to achieving rockstar status. Maybe you are a backup singer, or a bass player.
4-5 correct: Kinda lame, but there is hope. Maybe a groupie? or a drum player?
1-3 correct: Definitely Lame. You have no rhythm. Remedial reading is needed. You should definitely read: the recent NEDA Blog: ED Truths
