friends...
may i be blunt?
i need you. to tell me if there is a need. and to share your stories...
i used to battle anorexia nervosa, both as a child, and as an adult. i have shared my testimony a few times on 100 Huntley Street and The Drew Marshall Show; here is a documentary, taped at my husband's and my former home in ontario, when i was pregnant with aiden.
i hadn't realized how badly i'd hurt my family, by refusing to eat, until years later. now, i ache to help other families know what their anorexic loved ones are going through.
seven million women and one million men battle the disorder in north america. i have written a book, called Chasing Silhouettes: How to help a loved one who refuses to eat. it has currently passed two editorial reviews with a promising publisher, and will be coming before the Publishing Committee this November. my agent has told me that, with the financial cut-backs in the publishing world, it would be helpful for the publisher to know there is a need for this book out there--and to even get pre-orders, if possible.
here is a description of the book:
Chasing Silhouettes is a unique resource for those in the church desiring to know how to help an anorexic loved one. Revealing the thought-process of a young woman who’s battled the disease, Silhouettes is comprised of insight and advice from both fami-lies and Christian professionals in the eating disorder field, as well as suggested prayers, work sheets, and tips on what not to say or do. Based on a true story, the easy-to-read chapters are separated into four sections: Recognizing—how to respond to the initial stages of the illness; Rendered Helpless—what to do in the midst of anorexia; Recovery—how to react when your loved one decides to get better; and Renewal—how to help a former anorexic live in wholeness.
do you know of anyone who struggles with this illness? do you see a need for this resource? would you like to buy one, personally? any support is greatly, humbly, appreciated...
((thank you))
36 comments:
thanks first for being real emily...and for using your story...there are a lot of people that struggle witht his...never have but T struggled a little being a ballerina with maintianing weight and figure in college...
Hi Emily, I would definately buy one!!! Actually I could use one right now. Count me in!
Having walked through the journey of anorexia with several friends, I can say that the book is needed. While I don't need it myself at the moment, there have been times when it would have helped a lot.
I would buy one for my church library... have you checked in at
High Calling blog?
hugs friend
Yes. Absolutely. Thank you Lord Jesus for your work in emily's life. Thank you emily for sharing your story and reminding us that God truly does heal and restore. I would order a copy for myself, and have forwarded the link to a friend whose daughter is in the painful grip of anorexia. I believe even this post will encourage her. May God multiply your work, using it to bless, heal, and restore the lives of many.
I would definitely pre-order this book, as I would like to better understand anorexia and the disordered thinking that is associated.
Plus, I appreciate your perspective as shared in your other writings, so I would would very much like to understand anorexia through your eyes.
That documentary was very well done. It covered the facts, and then your story was quite powerful. I'm sure the book will be a wonderful resource for those looking for help. Put me on the "interested" list for your publisher.
Oh Emily I had no idea about this part of your past. What a story you have to share...to help others. I would definitely support you and buy a copy of your book. Awesome documentary. So weird to see and hear you in person. Count me in!!
emily,
my baby sister struggled with anorexia when I was first married, I was so unsure what to do, everytime I tried to talk to her it backfired. So I prayed and prayed, eventually she realized what she was doing and got better before it got to terribly bad. I would have loved a resource like that then and still now, b/c I'm always watching her, waiting to make sure she doesn't go backwards.
xoxo
I would buy a copy. My sister and sister-in-law both dealt with eating disorders, as did two women in a church ministry I led. A resource like this would be very helpful.
This hasn't touched me personally Em, but I am absolutely sure it would be a book that would help so many. Having gone through it yourself, you can minister in a way others cannot.
I'm praying this will become a reality very soon.
What a needed resource! I had anorexia briefly and then ended up being bulimic from the time I was in 8th grade through college. Thanks for writing the book. May the Lord use it to help many people.
oh my friend, i share this with you. i have my own story, i lived this too and i am so grateful for you, for your words, for this book. yes, it is needed, yes i would read it, yes i would pre-order it. may He use your struggles, my struggles, our struggles for His glory.
Absolutely Emily, I will preorder. Can I put a link to this post on my Facebook?
Emily,
I didn't know your story, but your post couldn't have been more timely. I had a counseling appointment with one of the young women from our church today. She has had an ongoing battle with "purging" for quite some time now. Your book would be so helpful. I would definitely get a copy.
Thank you so much. You are making a difference.
Elizabeth
http://www.justfollowingjesus.com
It is tremendous to see such courage that has brought you through this, Emily. Thank you for your hard work. I trust the book will be published and widely used for great good.
It was so nice to receive your kind comment, and welcome you to my blog. Thank you.
Of corse we need this Emily...We floated in the same boat and I would love to read it and pass along a few copies too!
Lots of love
Jill
www.campfunk.blogspot.com
Oh Em, me too. I'm an eating disorder survivor. I'll tell you my story privately if you want to hear it some time.
May you be blessed for your courage, for writing this book.
xo
yes. i think this book would be an invaluable resource, especially for youth workers. i briefly struggled with anorexia. i blame this brief period of not eating for the damage done to my joints during that same time. currently i think my neighbour and dear friend is struggling with anorexia. i don't know how to help her.
thank you em for being so honest. you could hide, but your story brings such life and hope for others. *hugs*
Absolutely there is a need for this book. When my cousin Ellen, whom I told you about, suffered from anorexia, our whole family suffered -- most especially her parents and sisters. Our entire extended family could have used this resource to guide us through that painful experience.
I do think that this book is needed, wish it had been in my hands a few years back! My dearest friend struggled all through high school and we around her simply didnt know how to respond or what to say to her!
Bless you for sharing your story, Emily. So many people struggle with eating disorders (males, too, can struggle and are often misdiagnosed) that anyone who can share their story of the struggle with something so crucial to life as food, has got to be applauded. I defnitely think there is a need for such books.
I only started to watch the video, em , will have to return to it , but I know this is a much needed resource.
It is invaluable to hear the personal story side of the situation, especially from all sides . I would like to purchase this for our local high school, and wonder if this would be a resource the board should have . ( catholic schools ) this might be a place to look into.
love to you,
and love for continuing to believe in yourself .
Hi Emily,
My first time here, popped over from Brian Miller's. This sort of story is so needed to be told. I struggled with anorexia myself in college, and as you know, the struggle never ends, even when we are "well". (I've only just myself begun to talk about it publicly. This here was my first time. I would definitely buy the book, just let me know where to go to pre-order. Nice to meet you. I'm your new follower.
Tina @ Life is Good
Emily you are such an inspiration to me....you always put yourself out on a limb and say what needs to be said...your heart is so open and that is a beautiful thing. I would love to read Chasing Silhouettes. Actually my mother passed away in 1972 of the same thing that Karen Carpenter did...congestive heart failure due to mal nutrition. I am certain i do not have that, but my personal struggle has been dealing with addiction problems in my family. My son is a recovering addict....he had a bad 4 year bout with pain killers. It is truly a miracle that he is alive today. It is always such a blessing to hear stories of recovery like yours...it gives me hope for my son and others that have struggled in our family. I truly feel blessed to have stumbled across you here in the blogasphere. God bless you. :-)
my mother has battled anorexia & bulimia off and on for all of my life. some of those thought processes inevitably trickled down to my sister and myself. thankfully, God has provided healing and we have been able to support one another, and sometimes my mother, in fending off the lies that lead to controlling our lives through food.
i really enjoyed seeing your interview. thanks for being so candid. i would love to read your book. off to look @ ordering it now.
may the healing continue.
:) just looked thru comments- looks like my husband, david n. is already putting us on the list. :)
i so want to read this book, em.
Yes, I would buy the book. As a recover(ed)(ing)anorexic, I am interested in reading from another's perspective. It is a needed resource.
oh-i didn't know this part of your journey! i'm sorry that you've had this struggle, but so glad that you also have had your strength, both within and in your sweet man, to overcome and also, to give back.
and your voice! it's so soft! :)
you are beautiful!
I know someone who struggles with this. I have given them your name.
Thank-you, Em.
the beauty of your honesty and your willingness to be used by God to speak truth into this darkness guts me. sign me up for a copy. as someone who has struggled with food issues it is such a blessing to find others who have been rescued by God and are being healed. He is such a good God! Thank you for your words!
friends... thank you so much for your unending support. those who desire to can share this video, in which i talk about the book: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2Kr-RsZeUo&feature=share.
thank you--for helping me get the word out about God's saving grace in the lives of anorexic children.
I know so many girls who have struggled with this and bulemia. As a counselor of twenty-somethings, every single girl had an eating issue. It was THE presenting problem of our therapy. There is definitely a need for such a resource, and especially in the church.
oh wow, brave girl. i'll take two copies.
Definitely will consider buying one....been there and have seen way too many others struggle.
Rose B. (roseb@live.ca)
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