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Real Quotes From Real Families About F.E.A.S.T.

“My daughter was diagnosed with anorexia while the world was in lockdown from a global pandemic. I did what any mother would do, and I turned to the internet for support. What I did not know at the time was that I landed on the best resource to support us on our journey. Once we were able to see a practitioner in person, they were so impressed with my knowledge and the actions we had already taken.  FEAST was a huge part of my arsenal of information that I had been utilizing. I continued to use FEAST as my primary resource and now it’s the FIRST resource I suggest when speaking to parents that are new to this journey. “

–Laura Cohen

“I’m thankful for FEAST because it means I don’t have to walk this journey alone. I can count on FEAST to share evidence-based resources and empower me as a parent on how to help my child. With FEAST, I never, ever have to worry about being accused of being the problem. Instead, FEAST has helped me to become an expert myself and has also given me many opportunities to give back to the eating disorder family support community.”

–Michelle H.

 “I can’t even remember how I discovered FEAST but I am thankful every day that I did. It’s a safe place to share a journey that only those who have lived it can understand. It’s a place that seemed to have better advise than many therapists and psychiatrists were able to offer. Problems don’t happen during office hours and FEAST and the forums they provide were always there. Sometimes for advise. Sometimes as a shoulder to cry on and sometimes as my cheerleading to push me to keep going when all I wanted to do was give up. I’m thankful everyday for FEAST.”

–Sarah Beech

“FEAST has been a resource in the lonely, dark hours of the night when, as a parent, I have been scouring the internet in the hope of finding help and support through the toughest times of our lives. Also, FEAST has been “parent therapy” for me for years, providing positive support for the family. The online videos are helpful at 2 am when you can’t sleep. I have used FEAST family guides to help both parents and hospital staff. FEAST helps fill the gaps; even if you have an awesome treatment team, parents only get so much support. FEAST is amazing!”

–Anonymous

 

4 Comments

  1. Barbara McNinch

    Hello…we have a 32 year old daughter Carli living on her own who was diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa at age 24. The world of eating disorders is a slippery slope and we suspect she began her self harm as early as 18. Carli has been in multiple treatment programs which include residential in Illinois, and here in Canada private therapists specializing in ED, two hospital outpatient programs (renowned for their work nationally with eating disorders) and several online therapists. Due to her age she has voluntarily withdrawn from all of these programs. Carli is now very angry with us, her parents, blaming us for her disorder. We continue to be supportive but it is very difficult for us. We are looking for support from other parents to keep us centered and grounded to help her.

    • A.

      Dear Barbara my heart goes out to you! I have a daughter who has been diagnosed as having anorexia, but this only happened after she had been diagnosed as having emetophobia, this is extreme fear to vomit which made her avoid food groups and was her path towards anorexia. Your letter touched me, as when my daughter was extremely ill she became very angry and aggressive towards us, blaming us for her getting ill. We moved from Canada to New Zealand where it all began. She recovered briefly and after travelling again to a third country she fully developed anorexia. In hindsight, had we known better, we would have stayed in NZ. But you only know what you know. After a long and very challenging time, she is now in her path towards recovery. As a parent of a child with an eating disorder, it helps to keep in mind that the aggression comes from her starved brain, and that she is still herself while trapped by the illness. Thinking this helped me to keep loving her when things were extremely difficult. As we came back to NZ we found help and her psychologist has been fostering her inner drive to overcome the illness, but she did not want anything to do with me, as she saw me as the one who was forcing her to eat. Now that she is back to eating she is being herself again, and her kind nature is back. Yours will be back to you, keep faith and detach her from her illness, try to make her eat small amounts to start and tell her that no matter what you love her. All the best to you and your family, I will be praying for you in the hope that this time will pass!

  2. J

    Hello Barbara,
    We are in a similar but different situation with our 30yo daughter who has had to move home due to her illness and resulting difficulties with work. I would be more than happy to be sharing the journey with you. Supporting an adult daughter presents its own challenges.
    Thank you, A for the reminder that it is the disorder that hates us and that our daughter’s kind and beautiful nature will return. We are so fortunate to see glimpses of her sweet and loving personality.
    Judy, is there a way you could connect us?

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