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Showing posts from August, 2014

'Do no harm': ED Prevention Strategies in Schools

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From my own school experiences, there is much emphasis on healthy eating and controlling weight. I am sure you can think back to your own (or your children's, friends', etc.) school experiences and pinpoint a time when 'healthy eating' and weight was discussed. In my case, the focus on weight and eliminating 'junk' food led me to become more entrenched in the eating disorder. So, how do schools 'prevent' ED through their education programs? One article focussed on just that: http://www.ocoped.ca/PDF/ODea_2000.pdf . Not surprisingly, the authors found that programs that focussed on obesity were unsuccessful. This makes think when we think about it: if we are telling kids that they shouldn't enjoy chocolate because they will become obese, what does this say about being overweight? It makes children feel that being overweight is equal to being inferior, lazy, or sinful. Furthermore, it makes students feel nervous about food and their weight, openin

Featured on CBC!

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As I struggled with ED for much of my life, I never thought that one day, I would end up in the ICU with organ failure. I never thought that I would eat again. I never thought that I would be where I am today, living healthily, eating well, and strong as ever. Nor did I ever think that I would have my own blog, let alone publish a book. And even when my book was published, I never thought it would gain so much positive reception and interest. And yet again, I am blessed to say that my story has been featured by another organization. This time, I saw down with the CBC Hamilton and did an interview on what led up to the eating disorder in my life, what my book is about, and more. You can read the story here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/news/mcmaster-student-pens-book-after-nearly-dying-from-anorexia-1.2739812 Who would have ever thought that someone so thin and so sick would ever make it to this point in her life? Who would have thought that at 21, my journey with ED wou

Telling my story to many more people: Made4More

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I was contacted a while ago by an organization who had read my story in the Mississauga News and wanted to learn more about my story. Made4More Ministry is an organization dedicated to helping individuals see how special and unique they are, and that miracles really do happen. While some content may be directed towards females only, a lot of the stories and hope shared there is geared towards helping anyone find faith and overcome challenges. Made4More approached me and asked if I could write something about my experiences with an eating disorder and my recovery, as well my faith in Christ and how I learned to appreciate and love myself. You can read the post here: http://made4moreministry.tumblr.com/post/93245216866/my-battle-with-anorexia-with-god-all-things-are . This is similar to one of my previous posts on how with God, all things are possible. It is a really personal post, as it even details how depressed, tired, and hopeless I became in the ICU. But God used it for the good