‘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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL has suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.