Saturday, October 18, 2008

Update: Rogers Hospital

I got an email from the family whose daughter was being held hostage at Rogers: Their daughter came home last night. Against medical advice, but she's home.

Sounds like Rogers was still trying to bring the county in, right up to the last minute, but the family had done their homework and was able to challenge Rogers' assertions.

Now, of course, comes the truly hard part: re-feeding a 13-year-old with anorexia. But this is a wonderful example of how families that are empowered can accomplish near miracles--especially when they're motivated by love of their children.

To the family: You are awesome. As hard as re-feeding is, I found it infinitely preferable to be doing it myself, at home, rather than be far away, feeling helpless about whether my daughter lived or died. We're all rooting for you.

10 comments:

mary said...

YES! This is great news.
I know this is going to be a huge challenge but when this works it works very well, often saving years of time for the person suffering from anorexia.
I'd like to say to the family~
You've got others before you who've walked this path and you aren't alone.The most loving thing you can do is to stay firm against the ED no matter how much recovery shows itself as pain.
You'll be in my prayers.

Fiona Marcella said...

Very best wishes to the family and hope that they find good clinicians to work with along the way.

Katy said...

Wow, great news!

I just hope their &%$#! insurance company doesn't try to stick them with a huge bill for lousy treatment since they took her out AMA...

Best of luck to the family...

Anonymous said...

Just joining in with support and encouragement for this family. I'll keep a good thought for you all.

Anonymous said...

It's ok to not want to be fat. It isn't even uncommon in the fatosphere. Just recently prominent Fat activist Sara Anderson of F-words said "I started taking a drug for ADD, to improve my ability to concentrate, and have to confess that I really liked the appetite suppression side effect that has worn off by now. Lunch was never that great anyway, and I lost a fair amount of weight."

Sure you may be no longer welcome here after you lose weight but you are not alone in not wanting to be fat; even in the fatosphere.

Harriet said...

Tara,

There's a difference between acknowledging that you liked losing weight and saying that you MUST lose weight in order to look good/feel good about yourself/live your life/be loved/etc.

I like it when I have a good hair day, but I don't, for instance, avoid riding my bike because the helmet mashes my hair down.

Anonymous said...

"tara", I have no words to describe how offensive it is to see one of your fat-bashing troll comments made on a post about a young girl whose life is in danger from anorexia. It's outrageous. What do you think you're accomplishing by this kind of childish, hateful behavior?

Harriet said...

And with this, all comments on this thread are closed.

"Smith" said...

Hi all,

It's been nearly 3 years, and I am "Mrs. Smith", mom from the Roger's nightmare. Guess what: FBT works. It worked for us. Our daughter has recovered from AN, and her life is full and good. She is nearly 17 now, not even close to being underweight, and eating is not an issue at all for her. She gets hungry, she eats, and she enjoys food. Period.

What is hard for her is the memories of staying at Roger's. I can't imagine how she would have recovered if she had stayed there. Sharing living areas and group therapy with teens of all ages, both genders, with a HOST of mental illnesses. She was a scared little 13 year old girl, and it was unbelievably traumatic.

Thanks Maudsley, and thanks Harriet. We need to spread the word. Parents CAN help their children. FBT works. Learn about it, and get ready to devote yourself to it. Our girl is well because of it.

Harriet said...

Mrs. Smith, I am utterly delighted to hear this!!!