Is your eating disorder your own little secret? Do you hesitate to confide in others, fearing they just wouldn't get it? Do you wish you had support from someone knowledgable about the struggle to recover, yet safe to share with?
Introducing the desperately needed ASPIRE, created by Cate Sangster, who knows a lot about these struggles, as you'll read. We connected through this blog as she embarked on her journey to recover, created a book together and are now dear friends. So read on and then visit ASPIRE!
"Ask someone off the street about eating disorders and
they’ll probably tell you about skinny young girls with too much vanity and not
enough substance to their lives. But those of us in the know, understand that
the true landscape of eating disorders looks very different to this.
Firstly we
understand that eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice. They are not about
vanity or attention seeking, but rather they are a severe mental illness that
cannot be cured by guilt and ridicule.
Secondly eating disorders are not just
about anorexia. Bulimia and BED are far more prevalent and equally as
devastating to the sufferer, both in terms of mental and physical health.
And
thirdly, we also recognise that this is not an illness that strikes only young
girls. Increasingly it is being seen in older women as well as men. However
little exists in the way of exclusive treatment centres or support networks for
older adults.
ASPIRE, or Adults Supporting Peers In Recovery from Eating
Disorders is group I started recently to fill the gap I felt existed for adults
with an eating disorder. During my own recovery from anorexia I found that one
of the places I felt most at home was on the FEAST facebook page, and Laura’s
Soap Box (the FEAST founder’s personal blog) as the people on these sites were
not only adults, but also parents like me. However these sites were set up to
support carers – the parents of young ED sufferers – so was not really my
place. As much as I enjoy Laura’s perspective on things, as well as the
information shared by the parents, it is not set up to support sufferers.
This is where ASPIRE fits. Adults need information and
support – we are often in the treacherous position of being in charge of our
own recovery, as well as, in some cases, needing to raise a family at the same
time. We have unique problems, but also unique skills and insights that we can
use to help each other through the minefield of recovery. Being in charge of
our own recovery means we have to make the decision to attend appointments,
make and eat appropriate meals, take medication, hold down jobs, pay bills etc,
all while our eating disorder is in control of our minds. Not impossible, but
very difficult, especially when you are not accountable to anyone but yourself
(and your eating disorder).
So where can you find ASPIRE?
-
blog
– adult recovery tips and answers to questions from readers
-
facebookgroup - *new* a space for members to ask questions, reach out for
support and provide advice to other adults sufferers
-
twitter
– random thoughts on recovery, RTs from other ED tweeters and respected
researchers, as well as inspirational quotes to get you through the week
-
pinterest
– boards for recovery motivation
How can ASPIRE help me?
- providing you with information about recent ED research
- providing you with motivational advice and information
- providing you with support - talk to other adults in recovery, ask questions about the things that are on your mind
- and you can provide others with support when you are in a good place – helping others gives great purpose to our lives. We have a wealth of experience we can use to help others just starting out on the recovery journey.
-
The value of ASPIRE will increase with every member that
joins. The more members we have to support each other and provide advice on the
myriad of complicated situations that arise during recovery, the better!! Start
by visiting the blog
to find out more.
Look forward to meeting you soon."
Cate
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