by Paula | Jan 15, 2018 | Anorexia sucks, Paula Persists
My job is all about helping teams be successful, which In the ‘lingo’ of agile software development, includes “Managing your WIP” (Work in process); to ensure that teams and individuals identify and focus on the most important work that is needed right now.
Most of us have been overwhelmed at some point in our lives, and have had to make some deliberate choices about what is important NOW, and what to let go. I recall busily mopping the kitchen floor one summer day, when my then 10-year-old son came inside and asked me to play catch. I paused: I looked at the floor, I looked at my son. I dropped the mop and grabbed my mitt. My floor stayed grimy, and that was OK.
For the past three years I have coordinated a walk to raise funds in the fight against eating disorders. It was and is an important and personal cause, and it has been an amazing journey. I have met wonderful, committed individuals who continue to serve as personal inspirations. Oh, and we also raised a lot of money. Now–it is time to start organizing the 2018 walk. Yet, I pause.
2018 also brings an election – an election that provides a critical opportunity to stem the tide of division and hate that has dominated the national political scene. Nowhere is this more important than in my own backyard, where the Koch Brothers have taken well-funded aim at Senator Tammy Baldwin.
When I started the eating disorder walk, three years ago, I had zero advocacy experience. And, aside from ranting, blogging and donating, I do not have any political experience. Yet, I will learn; because…. it is the most important thing, right now.
by Paula | Feb 28, 2017 | Anorexia sucks, Family, Uncategorized
It’s Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and what better place to kick it off than the Mall of America? The mall was rocking with over 1,000 walkers joining the fight against eating disorders. The stage area was jam-packed and the intensity was high.
There were some Disney characters in attendance (although I highly doubt they were Disney-sanctioned; since several of them looked a bit frayed around the edges). In addition to several princesses, there was a very tall lanky version of Jack Sparrow, the efemminate pirate; Guzzy and several other young ladies took selfies with the Johnny Depp look-alike.
I had a quick flash-back to the first time I attended a Twin Cities NEDA walk. It was 3 days after my daughter, Guzzy, had been discharged from the Minneapolils Children’s hospital for life-saving treatment of her eating disorder. This was in September 2013, before the walk moved to February, to coincide with the start of Eating Disorder Awareness week. There were probably 150 of us huddled around a small stage for that walk, listening to a very technical (and exceptionally boring) speech by Guzzy’s psychiatrist. The registration was unorganized and the ‘walk’ consisted of wandering around the inside amusement park.
From humble beginnings, great things can (and do) emerge. I’m sure the organizers of that first walk had no idea that the Twin Cities walk would grow into the mega-event of last Sunday.
Standing in the Mall Sunday we found ourselves surrounded by an incredibly diverse crowd, many of whom were there to support a loved one: a child, a parent, a sister, a brother, a friend, a lover, a spouse; we all came together in a demonstration of support and caring.
One of the speakers, Matt, shared his experience of going on a ‘field trip’ with other teens from his residential treatment program who were wheel-chair bound. On the bus to the destination, a few of the teens were comparing notes about what they would tell people if/when asked why they were in wheelchairs. The plan was to tell people they had a heart condition– to avoid the stigma attached to having an eating disorder. Matt had an ephiphany; why SHOULD they lie about their disease? How can we begin to fight or destigmatize something if we cannot name it?
I admire Matt, Guzzy, Monica Seles, and the many others who are brave enough to NAME their illness and tell their stories; in hopes that others who may be suffering in the shadows, will find courage and hope in their words.
The 2017 Madison NEDA Walk will be on Saturday, September 16th. We haven’t set the program yet, but, maybe I can see if any of the Disney Princesses are available on that day.
