Testimonials

It’s Not About the Weight:  “Smashing a cold, metal object doesn't seem empowering. Trust me if you have suffered from an eating disorder it honestly is. For over 35 years I was a scale slave. Weighing myself day and night. I weighed before meals after meals, before and after showers and before and after purging. The day Dr. Susie had me smash my scale, I for once had the power over it. Wow what a relief to see that cold metal ‘God’ be destroyed!” Darla

"It gave ME back. Brought Kristi back.  When I smashed the scale, ED was no longer in control.  I had control over everything, and it felt so good.  I finally felt powerful enough to defeat ED.  It was the most amazing feeling I've ever had.  I  realized I am more than a number." - Kristi
 
Weighing In: “Writing letters to advocate for a cause I deeply believe in helped guide me to more self understanding. When we were in groups and the ideas were flying for one purpose I felt strength and even courage. I was able to leave my usual self absent mind because I had a purpose. I needed to work with the other women for a common cause pertinent to all of us. It gave me a sense of accomplishment.” Darla

“The advocacy letters give us a voice.  While being entrenched in ED, we have no voice.  When we start on the road to recovery, we realize how important advocacy is because of the misunderstandings society has of eating disorders.  This advocacy activity gave us a place to start from in order to make our voices heard, loud and clear." - Kristi

Fed Up With ED:  “This part was very good for me! I never have the opportunity to eat with others who have eating disorders except in past hospital settings. I was somewhat scared about this but I wanted to do it. The way Dr. Susie had meals for us is such proof positive that she knows and understands our needs. We each were given a buddy to eat with to make the experience easier for all. None of us felt on display, simply put the food was set out for us and we were expected to eat it. We all did and it wasn't full of rules or pressure. It was very nice to have others in the same boat to eat with in a casual relaxing place.”
 
Art Therapy:  - “I have never been an "artsy" type person. I have never been into arts and crafts. However, when Dr. Susie gave us art projects it was very therapeutic. In the eating disorder world I lived in I was unsure of how to begin or end anything. I only knew following rigid rules so I would be in complete control (or so I thought). When working on these projects I could see a beginning and an end. I was able to see - through creating - that I didn't need "rules". It is okay to just be or do what I felt. It was okay to not see everything in black or white. I felt safe and sure of myself and it all turned out well.”
 
Firing ED: “For me, the act of burning ED at the stake had a tremendous impact on my recovery. Having the mental and physical act of releasing ED gave me insight that it was okay to say good-bye to a part of my life that I know longer want or need. For those of us who are multi-sensory this act took care of everything.” - Darla