PURPOSE

A portion of sale proceeds are donated to the Eating Disorder Program at Toronto General Hospital.

At 36, in September 2019, I entered a 6 week outpatient treatment program for Bulimia Nervosa. I developed my eating disorder when I was 19. The first time I binged and purged was October 2002.

At 35, in February 2019, I asked for help. I was approved for entry in May, waitlisted until September. I allowed myself 6 weeks to be away from work. 6 weeks was the amount of time I decided it would take to get better. I convinced myself it would only take 6 weeks to heal 18 years of self-inflicted injury. Literally all of my energy and focus needed to go into my treatment. Rewiring my brain would not work without complete focus, no distractions.

I am grateful I received in person treatment - had I delayed a few months like I initially wanted - my treatment would have been impacted due to COVID19. Every person seeking or on the list to receive treatment in 2020 was impacted. Without the program up and running - NEDIC (National Eating Disorder Information Centre) an arm of UHN, became the main source of free support.

It’s important to note, that I did not have to pay for my outpatient treatment. I was fed, counselled both individually and in groups and provided with tools and resources on how to change my behaviours. After the 6 week program, I received 6 months of Relapse Prevention Therapy. All free.

My recovery is incredibly personal to me. Some days are easy, some are really hard. I continue to be a work in progress. Resilient.

Eating Disorder Programs supporting recovery on a medical level are in need of funding. It’s important to me to pay it forward by giving back. It is important to me that other people who may relate to my story or know someone who does - know there are resources available to help them.

Eating Disorders can be life threatening and are not one size fits all. Eating disorders do not discriminate and impact all genders, ethnicities and ages.

Thank you for your support,

Lauren (and Beans)