Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking at a Family Day at a local Eating Disorder Treatment Center. The center hosts family day once a month, giving parents, siblings, spouses, etc., time to educate themselves on how they can help their loved one through their eating disorder and recovery. One important piece of this day is having them hear a recovery story!
I was so humbled to be asked and was excited, nervous, scared, but more importantly, hopeful, that my story could help those loved ones see that there is hope!
I spoke for almost 2 hours, telling my story and then answering a lot of questions from several of the attendees. I could see the fear and sadness in their eyes, but I could also see their strength and determination, to do anything and everything they could to help their daughters/sons/wives,etc beat this terrible disease.
Seeing these parents faces during my story, made me reflect back on what my parents were most likely experiencing during my illness. The pain and heartache of not understanding, not knowing how to help and not wanting to push too much for fear of driving me away. It was overwhelming for me to think about that, but made me feel so grateful for the love and support of my parents and family.
One common theme I kept reiterating, was the fact that they can’t give up on them. They have to continue pushing forward and expressing how much they love them, that they know it must be incredibly difficult what they are going through, but that they are so proud of them for fighting!
I spoke with a few of the parents after my talk and my heart broke for them, hearing about their daughters struggles and all they have been through. My story really resonated with one of the parents especially, as my story and her daughters were incredibly similar. My prayer is she walked away with a bit of hope in her heart that if I can recover, so can her daughter.
I pray for each of these families, that their daughters/sons/wives move a step forward each and everyday, towards recovery. That they see the strength they have in themselves and can beat this disease and live a beautiful, healthy, peaceful life on the other side of ED.
Lots of love and prayer to any and all suffering. If you are a family member of someone suffering, my advice to you is: Don’t give up on them! Stay strong! There is HOPE!
eatlivelove.org 