Kiama's Jo Cotterill has suffered from an eating disorder for most of her adult life.
Day to forget your diet
May 27, 2009
Section: News
EMMA SPILLETT
espillett@kiamaindependent.com.au
RESIDENTS are encouraged to put down their calorie counters and hide their scales on Saturday as International No Diet Day is marked in the area.
Organised by the Butterfly Foundation, the day aims to raise awareness and support for people struggling with eating disorders.
People are invited to visit Kiama Youth Centre for morning tea and to receive information about eating disorders.
The event will be a first for Kiama and has been supported by Kiama resident Jo Cotterill, who has battled an eating disorder for most of her adult life.
The 28-year-old has spent the past six years in and out of hospitals undergoing treatment and said she understands the misconceptions about eating disorders.
“I never thought I had a problem for a really long time,” she said.
“There is such a stigma out there about eating disorders and people conceive it as a vanity thing or an attempt to lose weight.
“People would scream at me and say ‘just eat’, but it’s much harder than that.”
Ms Cotterill said the disease was an emotional and personal battle.
“It’s really an attempt to gain control back in your life,” she said.
“I was going through a lot of stuff personally and this was a way for me to get control back in one part of my life.”
There was little support in the State health system or community for people with eating disorders.
“There are only four beds available in NSW for people with eating disorders,” she said. “I was lucky enough that my dad had private health insurance and could get me into a private hospital but, even then, they put me on
a psychiatric ward and it made me feel worse.
“In Wollongong, there is an eating disorders clinic in Bulli, but it’s a long way to travel and it’s hard to get a counsellor who you like and feel comfortable talking to.”
Ms Cotterill is hoping the No Diet Day will bring much-needed awareness to the prevalence of eating disorders in society.
The International No Diet Day information session will be held from 10am to 1pm.
Entry is by gold coin donation.
Comment count: 1
Well done jo for highlighting such a debilitating illness. I am sure that many people will be comforted by the fact that more help may soon be out there if people like you speak out about the problems you face.