I was very good about keeping a camera handy for getting lots of candids. I have always loved this shot of baby Social Butterfly gnawing on Winnie the Pooh while I cooked dinner--and speaking of eating, could you not just nom-nom on those toes!
This past weekend my girl spoke to a group of parents whose children are in treatment for eating disorders.
She was stunning--confident and articulate and throwing down the truth at every turn.
This what I posted on a private group page of which I am a member:
So very proud of my 18-year old daughter (recovered/ing anorexic) today for speaking to a group of parents today about how they can help their children in treatment. A few of her pearls of wisdom: "Don't listen to us when we're sick--we WILL lie to you," "Don't EVER back down when it comes to getting the food in," "Eat what you ask your child to eat (yes, even if you yourself don't need or want to gain weight. Maybe even especially in those circumstances.)," "Trust the professionals" and finally, "You have to believe you are fighting for your child's life, because an anorexic will always choose death over weight gain--so take the choice away."
The (recovered/recovering) in the first sentence is because while I believe that one is "in recovery" when there are no symptoms of the disease present, but that there is always a chance of relapse with this type of disorder, she considers herself fully recovered--and, indeed, she presents right now as someone with no disorder at all. The most amazing thing is that she weighs about 10 lbs. more than she did when she left treatment both times and her attitude about it is "whatever" and "I'm going surfing now."
Life is both baffling and amazing at times!
Susan is on vacation, so it's Karen and Gary again this week.
I have tears in my eyes reading this marvelous update about SB!
Posted by: Jen on the Edge | July 30, 2013 at 09:03 AM
That is wonderful. And it's so wonderful that she's helping --no one can help as much as someone who's been through it.
Posted by: Cassi | July 30, 2013 at 01:28 PM
Glad to hear she is doing so well - often these problems are just adolescent road bumps (albeit scary ones) on the way to adulthood!
Posted by: suburbancorrespondent | July 30, 2013 at 04:14 PM
So happy SB is doing so well! And so glad that she is helping other peeps who are dealing with what she knows so much about. Life is definitely amazing and baffling, but I hope she feels more of the former for the foreseeable future.
Posted by: lanes | July 30, 2013 at 11:39 PM
It is wonderful that she is brave enough to share her experience with others! It would be great for her to speak at high schools. What is she going to do about school in the fall?
Posted by: Jen | July 31, 2013 at 08:20 AM
She is wonderful, and so are you.
Posted by: Smalltown Me | July 31, 2013 at 12:48 PM
I've been wondering how SB was doing. I'm so glad to read this; wonderful news. She is an inspiration!
Posted by: Busy Bee Suz | August 01, 2013 at 08:56 AM
Oh, sweet happy love on your Butterfly and your own selves. *sigh*
Posted by: Jocelyn | August 03, 2013 at 02:35 AM
YAY for progress!! Recovery is a lifelong process. She may never relapse and let's hope that is the case, but she will work the program for the rest of her life if she is smart!
Posted by: MidLyfeMama | August 05, 2013 at 02:59 PM