‘I didn't want to just be alive, I wanted to be well’: Eating disorder clinic marks 10 years of helping people
Patients shared their stories on the 10-year anniversary of the Adult Eating Disorders Services (AEDS) program at the London Health Sciences Centre.
THE AEDS program has helped more than 1,400 people through its outpatient, day treatment and residential services.
Since 2012, the program has helped adults around the province struggling with eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
“You’re living but your quality of life is so important,” said Jocelyn Rasmussen, a former patient who said she has struggled with an eating disorder since she was 10 years old. “I don’t want to just be alive, I want to be well.”
“I couldn't keep food in my body, I was hungry all the time, I was desperate to figure out how to eat in a way to sustain my life,” Rasmussen recalled her time at the clinic Thursday.
After receiving treatment at the day program at the AEDS four years ago, Rasmussen told CTV News her quality of life has improved, however, she still has triggers.
“I keep using the tools I need, there are things that I do that help me and I reach out for help,” she said.
Her advice to those struggling with an eating disorder, “the first step is to accept it, the second is to ask for help.”
The program gets more than 300 referrals per year, according to the LHSC and provides a 20 week residential program with care around the clock.
“We knew that there were big gaps in services. It was really enticing to develop a program from the ground up,” said Elizabeth Phoenix, a nurse practitioner at the clinic.
“When we were able to offer in 2016 outpatient individual treatment that really opened things up for accessibility for treatment to a whole range of folks.”
Their goal is to also educate family and friends about eating disorders in order to provide continued support to the patient.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.