Making noise to say "treatment at ALL ages!"
June Alexander is a shining example of a patient once given up on who has gone on to recovery and to fight for others - young and old. She is "making some noise" right now for a specific patient who is falling through the cracks of the system in Sydney just as countless others are around the world. This patient deserves care and needs it urgently - and she represents a tragic lack of services that adds to the burden of an illness that is already so very difficult.
These tragedies are invisible to the public, or misunderstood to be a matter of personal weakness or will. Those of us in the eating disorder advocacy world see these people, know their families, see the struggle of their treatment providers - they are not invisible to us and we do not feel hopeless.
Let's join June in making noise, for this patient worthy of our attention and for ALL those suffering from eating disorders without appropriate care!
Amen to that.
ReplyDeleteMy only question is that with the emphasis (albeit warranted) on FBT for younger sufferers, where do we look for ways OUTSIDE of the family when FBT is not an option?
Nearly two decades on from diagnosis and not only I but my parents have aged too. To be blunt I'm not sure they have the longevity to see me out the other side to "recovery". I'm quite sure they do not have the reserves of strength that they could have called upon twenty years ago to utilise the FBT approach. Frankly, I feel mortified that when I should be taking on a carer role FOR THEM there be even a suggestion that they go into full battle with me against my eating disorder. Realistically, it's not going to happen.
I'm trying to be my own "Mamabear"..but, as you're aware, this is a much-flawed approach!
I have many thoughts on this. Right now though I am running dry. I hope this is not totally out of order, but I did write a blog regarding some of these issues a while back:www.ruftyroo.com, the title being: 7. Do I Sound Glib? I'm Not. Perhaps it may be of interest, if not, no worries.
I am so thankful to you Laura for your sheer determination to give the ed world a big shake up and place it back on it's feet, heading in the RIGHT direction.
Keep making your wonderful noise!
Rufty, I hate that you should be your own mamabear but I'm CHEERING for you. I've known a growing number of patients who had to and DID, heroically.
ReplyDeleteI've learned a lot from their insights, too - when they report back after moving farther and farther from the ED, closer to medical and mental health, and find the unique person they are "without ED." You speak of that in your blog post, of wondering who you'll be - and you hold the key. I find people who have recovered very insightful and interesting and uniquely faceted. Take help where you can find it, and "keep going," as they say. You are worth it. YOU ARE WORTH IT.
Love that image of putting the world back on its feet - I can dream of it! Thank you!!!!