I attended the Raleigh NEDA walk this year as an alumna of Embody Carolina. The NEDA walk is a powerful event of solidarity and reflection. For me, it has particular power in admiring the power of the human body - celebrating life and recovery through intentional movement.
Before the walk started, three people gave talks to the crowd. The first talk came from an Eating Disorder professional from the Veritas Collaborative, the second was a powerful account from someone in recovery. The third speaker took the stage and calmly stated "I'm here to tell a story of loss."
Her sister had been diagnosed with anorexia at the age of eight years old. At the age of 20, she died of a fatal heart attack related to the disease. The story was moving in its raw honesty. It's hard, sometimes, to go beyond the numbers and understand the true toll of the most fatal psychological illness.
She continued: "What was hardest for me was not knowing what to do or say - not knowing how to make it better. There were appointments and sessions I should have gone to that I didn't go to because it was too hard."
Having been on the other side, I felt deeply for her in this moment. It's hard to watch someone struggle - knowing that they should say something, that they HAVE to say something because they love you, because they want to make it all go away - but they can't find those magical words. It's hard watching the fear flicker in their face, watch them throw words to the wind in an attempts to simply reach you. It's hardest when you realize you need them, you need their help, but are so bound by the disorders intent on surviving that you can't articulate what you need, and the disorder speaks for you, lashing out in frustration and anger. Eating Disorders are complex and unique to each person: it's hard to talk to the person through the defenses of their disorder.
My heart was heavy. I hung onto her words, trying to somehow comfort her without words when she said, "It wasn't until I met the amazing people at Embody Carolina that I learned to be a true ally to those struggling with eating disorders."
I lost it.
I cried for her sister. I cried for her. I cried for me. I cried for every person affected by this horrible illness and their communities struggling to reach them. I cried of happiness and pride in the students that have taken Embody and impacted the lives of hundreds of people. I cried because in those words there was hope.
If you do anything today, World Eating Disorders Day, learn about eating disorders. Learn how to approach a friend with care and compassion. Be a part of cultural change through challenging objectification and the sexualization of fitness. Remind yourself and your friends that you are inherently and innately worthy simply for being you.
embodycarolina.com
Before the walk started, three people gave talks to the crowd. The first talk came from an Eating Disorder professional from the Veritas Collaborative, the second was a powerful account from someone in recovery. The third speaker took the stage and calmly stated "I'm here to tell a story of loss."
Her sister had been diagnosed with anorexia at the age of eight years old. At the age of 20, she died of a fatal heart attack related to the disease. The story was moving in its raw honesty. It's hard, sometimes, to go beyond the numbers and understand the true toll of the most fatal psychological illness.
She continued: "What was hardest for me was not knowing what to do or say - not knowing how to make it better. There were appointments and sessions I should have gone to that I didn't go to because it was too hard."
Having been on the other side, I felt deeply for her in this moment. It's hard to watch someone struggle - knowing that they should say something, that they HAVE to say something because they love you, because they want to make it all go away - but they can't find those magical words. It's hard watching the fear flicker in their face, watch them throw words to the wind in an attempts to simply reach you. It's hardest when you realize you need them, you need their help, but are so bound by the disorders intent on surviving that you can't articulate what you need, and the disorder speaks for you, lashing out in frustration and anger. Eating Disorders are complex and unique to each person: it's hard to talk to the person through the defenses of their disorder.
My heart was heavy. I hung onto her words, trying to somehow comfort her without words when she said, "It wasn't until I met the amazing people at Embody Carolina that I learned to be a true ally to those struggling with eating disorders."
I lost it.
I cried for her sister. I cried for her. I cried for me. I cried for every person affected by this horrible illness and their communities struggling to reach them. I cried of happiness and pride in the students that have taken Embody and impacted the lives of hundreds of people. I cried because in those words there was hope.
If you do anything today, World Eating Disorders Day, learn about eating disorders. Learn how to approach a friend with care and compassion. Be a part of cultural change through challenging objectification and the sexualization of fitness. Remind yourself and your friends that you are inherently and innately worthy simply for being you.
embodycarolina.com