The U.S. is peppered with a number of eating disorder recovery programs, but one in particular really made a huge difference to me. Introducing Project HEAL: Help to, Eat, Accept and Live.
This program was originally founded in 2008 by Kristina Saffran, Liana Rosenman and Becky Allen, who met while in treatment for anorexia. The mission of Project HEAL is to: (a) raise awareness about eating disorders, as well as try and decrease the stigmas that surround them, (b) to promote positive body image, trying to diminish society’s obsession with body image in hopes to have individuals accept their bodies and (c) through the Help to Heal scholarship fund Project HEAL helps sends individuals to receive much needed treatment. These individuals generally have little to no insurance coverage, a large issue faced by many sufferers. Today Project HEAL has grown and has numerous Chapters and Kristina and Liana speak nationally about eating disorders, recovery and positive body image.
Jessica Jurinich is an eating disorders survivor who participates and volunteers wholeheartedly in this project. She says:
“I would like to think in even the smallest of ways that everyone can benefit from Project HEAL. The prevalence of eating disorders is so high that everyone really does know someone, whether or not it is an extremely close relationship. Along with the scholarship fund, which of course benefits the sufferer themselves and I in no way want to minimize that importance, treatment is paramount in overcoming an eating disorder and beginning on an individuals journey to recovery.”
Jessica stresses that the education about eating disorders is equally important. She says that society still often views anorexia and bulimia as only “text book” cases; they do not realize the gamut eating disorders actually run: “It is often difficult for family members to think their child is suffering because they do not seem ‘sick,’ they are not as thin as the picture shown in US Weekly and yet they may be very ill and in need of treatment. Through Project HEAL and the awareness we will spread, I hope to open many eyes.”
Jessica admits that although she has recovered significantly from her eating disorder, she still struggles with “hearing the voice” of her eating disorder and battles negative body image.
“Today, now that I am at my set point as far as weight goes, I do still struggle greatly with body image, not because I want to look like a celebrity, because I am lusting still over what I used to look like. Logically, though, I know that I could never sustain the life I am leading and look the way I used to look, so I know it will just take time, just as all other parts of recovery do, it takes patience, hard work and time,” says Jessica.
But there’s a lesson in this: many of us know that by helping others, we teach our struggling, imperfect, human (yet beautiful) selves the lessons and ideas that can be helpful in our lives.
As far as the standard placed upon women by society goes, says Jessica, “unfortunately that standard doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.” She adds, “I feel the work should be done within, within ourselves, the schools, communities, the more ‘ok’ we are with ourselves, the less impact society and its standards will have on us. We live in a culture of media, and given the rate of technology and advancement that will only grow more and more in years to come. I do not blame the media for eating disorders, I believe there is a largely influential piece but in no way do I place blame.”
She explains that when trying to figure out the “whys” of eating disorders, it’s important to always look at the whole picture and not just the parts. “It is so easy to place blame, one fight with a parent, oh blame the parent, reading a fashion magazine, that must be the cause. Truth is, eating disorders stem from a myriad of variables and from personal experience the variables even changed over the course of my illness, adding some, subtracting others,” she says.
I thank Jessica, Kristina, Liana and Becky for their courage, candidness and hard work. Please visit their website to learn more about the project and to participate in their fundraising events.
xoxo
Holly
Pictured Above: (Left to right) Jessica Jurinich, Kristina Saffran, Liana Rosenman