| Subject: |
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someone's success story |
| Name: |
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grae_bird |
| Date Posted: |
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Jul 4, 08 - 8:56 PM |
| Email: |
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grae_bird@jesusanswers.com |
| Message: |
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Kathleen's Story
Kathleen suffered from anorexia, bulimia, body image issues and exercise bulimia for 18 years of her life before she finally realized that her lifestyle of living in and out of recovery, and always just a few pounds under her ideal body weight, was killing her.
Kathleen's life completely changed on June 13, 2002 after she spoke at a Congressional Briefing sponsored by the Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy and Action (EDC). At the briefing Kathleen was confronted by her reality through the pain and reality of a few very remarkable people. Those people were: Kitty Westin, whose daughter Anna had committed suicide as a result of her battle with anorexia, Ron and Sally George, whose daughter Leslie had died only months earlier from a ruptured stomach as a result of her bulimia, and Celeste Pickard, an eating disorder survivor. It was realizing herself in Anna's story, seeing the pain and anguish on the faces of the George's, and, after hearing Celeste’s story, feeling the first tiny bit of hope in nearly 20 years, that propelled Kathleen into her finally recovery.
Kathleen left the briefing and vowed to herself that she would do everything in her power not to die from her disease, and...she would do everything she could to Fully Recover. On June 14, 2002 Kathleen began her final recovery and never looked back.
Kathleen devoted the next two and ½ years of her life to overcoming her disorders. She faced triggers, challenged her beliefs, got rid of the 'chains that bound her' --like her scale and small clothes--, and she began practicing living a life Free of her eating disorders.
During her recovery Kathleen became active in outreach and lobbying efforts with the EDC. And it was through the EDC that Kathleen and Gail met. After spending the second year of her recovery solidifying her health and life of freedom from her disorders, Kathleen contacted Gail about partnering with FREED, since the missions of FREED were exactly what she had hoped to get active in after getting well. Kathleen became the Education and Prevention Coordinator for FREED and focuses on educational presentations at schools, Colleges and Universities, hospitals and med schools, and various other venues.
Kathleen has spoken to thousands of students across the country, trained hundreds of doctors on the identification, prevention and treatment of eating disorders, and has educated hundreds in the mental health field on eating disorders. Kathleen also focuses on changing legislation in Michigan to support eating disorders as serious and life threatening disorders that require proper treatment, as well as insurance coverage of that treatment.
Her ultimate goal in Michigan is to see a treatment facility brought to the State. In April of 2007, Kathleen was fortunate enough to meet one-on-one with the Governor of Michigan, Jennifer Granholm, to talk about the issues those with eating disorders face in Michigan. It was through that meeting the idea of forming a Task Force on Eating and Body Image Disorders was born. Kathleen partnered with Judy Banker (of the Eating Disorder Center of MI) and Kelly Klump (of MSU) to begin the volunteer Task Force, with hopes of securing funding for a State-sponsored task force this coming fiscal year. For her outreach and prevention efforts Kathleen received the Community Mental Health of Michigan Award in 2006.
On the national level, Kathleen continues to devote her time to the EDC and recently helped author the Education and Prevention section of The FREED Act (formerly known as The Dream Bill) --The Federal Response to Eliminating Eating Disorders. Kathleen has been featured in Health Magazine. She shared her story in a documentary on Good Life TV entitled, "The American Family -Eating Disorders". And recently Kathleen was featured in the documentary, "Made Over in America", a documentary about the 'reality' t.v. show “The Swan” –in which she detailed reasons why the perfectionism of body and image produced in “The Swan” are harmful and detrimental to the self-esteem of our culture. Kathleen has been a guest on the Detroit talk show “Urban Connections” to discuss Cross-Cultural Body Image Issues, on NBC’s “Peter’s Principals” and on "The Sports Triad". Kathleen was a featured speaker at the First National Policy Conference on Eating Disorders in Washington, D.C., in April 2004, presenting on "Prevention through Advocacy".
In June of 2005 Kathleen presented on “Media and Body Image” and spoke as an “Eating Disorder Survivor” at the National Conference on Eating Disorders Legislation in Washington, D.C. Kathleen was part of the development team for Wings of Hope -a support group developed at Ophelia's Place in New York and she was recently invited to present on "The Long Term Affects of Eating Disorders" at the First New York State Initiative Conference on Eating Disorders. Kathleen developed a national online prayer-line for those affected by eating disorders and has served as a Coordinator in Michigan for National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 2005 and 2006 and 2007. Kathleen works closely with the University of Michigan’s CARE organization (Coalition for Action Regarding Eating and Body Image Issues) presenting numerous times to students, medical students, physicians, Greek and sports organizations, and staff at the University. In the fall of 2007 Kathleen had the ultimate privilege of presenting at the NEDA conference, and with Gail at The Renfrew Center Conference.
Kathleen will continue her outreach and prevention efforts until Eating and Body Image Disorders are eliminated.
Kathleen owes a debt of gratitude to Gail for allowing her the opportunity to be her partner at FREED, the EDC for providing her that first opportunity to use her voice back in 2002, her parents, Jim, her friends and colleagues. Together we are a net of compassion in the fight to eliminate these disorders, a fight none of us can fight alone –and together we are making a difference.
To those who are still suffering with the devastation of these disorders, Kathleen offers this message: Never give up hope ---in the midst of 18 years of suffering, I found hope. Recovery IS possible! - Kathleen MacDonald
Below are a few samples of Kathleen's Artwork |
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