Eating Disorder Awareness Week — Calgary Herald Article

Tomorrow is the last day of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week here in Canada. What have you learned about this dangerous disease that steals the lives of too many young women, and men too?

Last week, I asked my eldest daughter if she was okay with me sending in an OpEd (Opinion Editorial) to our local paper. She quickly said yes and when I sent my first draft, gave me some helpful insight into how to frame it better.

My daughter’s courage, willingness to be vulnerable, to walk with integrity and honesty inspires me every day.

After we’d gone through the piece together, she said, “Thanks for doing this mom.”

I am in awe of this young woman who is brave enough to face an eating disorder and bold enough to talk publicly about it — and to be okay with her mother doing the same.

At one point, I mentioned one of the statements I make in the article — how sometimes she’ll say something and I find this thought immediately racing through my mind, “Oh no. It’s back.”

I wish you wouldn’t do that mom. she said.

And I replied, I’m getting better at not doing it.

And I am. And it takes time.

Fact is, as I learn to let go of my fear and trust in her truth, the thought falls back into the darkness of the past, leaving me free to breathe easily in the beauty of the present.

To read the full article that was published Saturday, click HERE.

8 thoughts on “Eating Disorder Awareness Week — Calgary Herald Article”

My daughter had an eating disorder, no that should read has an eating disorder because in many ways it never really goes away as each day is a struggle with food

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Louise Gallagher on February 7, 2017 at 7:14 am said:

I hear you Joanne — re the daily struggle. ❤

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Thanks for writing about your feelings as a mother. It’s hard to put our reactions into words. Watching a child struggle and not being able to do anything about it is one of the most excruciating experiences I think a mother can go through.

I loved this line especially: “punching holes in the darkness”.

Hugs,
CZ

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Louise Gallagher on February 7, 2017 at 7:13 am said:

I so hear you CZ. It is hard to watch them struggle — and to feel helpless. Those are the moments when all I can do is create space for her to be on her journey knowing, I am here, holding space, loving her and cherishing her just the way she is.

Much love to you my friend. ❤

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