I have had quite a bit of interest in my posts about my past over the last couple of weeks. More importantly, about Cheadle Royal Hospital. I can tell this because of the ‘search engine’ results on which they found my blog.
I can and do understand why perhaps these pages have been interesting to someone, and I hope that in reading them, he or she has a much better understanding of who I am and in what happens at Cheadle Royal Eating Disorders Unit.
A very long story, a very short version.
At 15 I weighed much more than I should have, I started a diet with my local nurse, and it turned into anorexia. When the anorexia wasn’t enough I started to throw up after anything I ate. When I had to eat ‘normal’ for social functions and family meals, this became the ‘normal’ for me, to hide who I was and scurry away to the loo…
I didn’t realize that I had a problem until I passed out at a bus stop.
That problem just managed to keep on being a problem. And then I met the love of my life, Paul Chapman.
The day he told me he loved me was the day I told him about my eating disorder.
With his help and support over the years, I managed. I saw therapists and councilors, but not one of them could help me as much as I needed them too with my eating. However, they helped in many other ways.
I suffered with bullying and sexual abuse as a child and as an adult. But with very different coping mechanisms in place, I plodded on… and on… and on… until eventually the building tension was too much and the bubble burst.
After seeing a therapist who helped me to deal with the sexual abuse at work, I was referred to Cheadle Royal Eating Disorder’s Unit. I had no idea what I was getting into, but as my weight plummeted even more with a death in the family. I eventually agreed to go.
It was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life.
It was also one of the best.
If anyone does take a look through those pages of 2007 I think they will see the pain and the process that I went through to finally get the help that I needed to recover.
At present I have been discharged for over 3 years and they have been wonderful years.
To anyone who looks over my past, wondering, hoping for their future. In my pain I hope they will also see a great courage, a courage that helped me succeed and be where and who I am.
Without the past to mold us into the people we are today, there would not be a world full of strong and beautiful people.
Recovery is possible, believe in it, seek it.
And if you ever, ever, need someone to talk too. Reach out, I’ve been there, I’ve seen it, I’ve done it.
Love and hugs to all.
Dawn x x
Kanundra’s blog by Dawn Chapman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Kanundra's Blog 
You my dear are the wonderful person you are today beacause of the struggles and battles that you faced and overcome. Much like you I do not hide my struggles they are part of my life as they are yours and they have made me the person that I am today as well. You are a people changer and we as well as many others that come into your life will be blessed to have you. Thanks for sharing hun your friend Ron xxx
Wow. Such a huge thing to share this and help others.
Huge repect.
Thanks, means a lot. I’ve never hidden anything, I guess what you sometimes see on the outside isn’t always the full package. 🙂
Dawn your a wee star, you have always been the first to anwser whenever I have needed help with the fish. Take care xxx
Thanks Alex, means a lot, and of course, always here… anytime. Our fish are our ‘wet pets’ we can’t help but love em. 🙂 speak soon..
Dawn,
You are strong,, courageous and very talented woman. I will never forget how gracious u were to read my stuff and give me your input. Not many people would do that for a stranger, but u did. I knew then that you had to be a special lady. You are a survivor and I think that is why your writing is so real.
Thank you. And although time is limited I still love a good read 🙂
I’m so glad you stopped by my blog! Wow. It’s spooky how much we have in common. I’m glad you got the help you needed. I know the pain of letting childhood stuff come to the surface, but it’s necessary to heal. I spent 20 years with an awful eating disorder before I was healed. Cheering you on!
Thanks, sometimes it is good to reach out. So many lonely people out there suffering. They think they’re alone and they aren’t. Glad you stopped by too, and maybe we’ll chat more along the way. 🙂 Take care.
You are more courageous than you think. I’m glad you took the step to see out help. Thank you for stopping by my blog today, and your post inspired me. I’ve been having digestion problems more than usual lately, and maybe it’s time I see the doctor for this. 😀 I’m scared of docs. 😦
I don’t like doctors much either, but they’re a must. I hope you can sort our why you’re not digesting properly… it could be something really simple, but unless you go, you can only make yourself worry and speculate. Take care of yourself and keep me posted…
Sorry, I meant, *seek* out help. Should’ve edited the comment first.
Don’t worry, 🙂
Thank you for coming by my blog and posting encouraging and kind comments – I am in awe of your recovery and journey, and I just wish you all the best in life, happiness, enjoyment, life’s little surprises and lots of love. xx
Thank you, 🙂 means a lot x
Hi! We’ve connected with B-School and I was excited to check out your sites. Thanks for sharing your story. It’s amazing how much it can help others just to hear that someone else has gone through the same thing. I had an eating disorder off and on from about 14 to 21. I was bulimic, I over exercised, and I took diet pills. I didn’t realize how bad it had gotten until I practically had a heart attack at the age of 21.
Yeah, we don’t realise how much it can upset the bodies system. 😦 sucks. Hope you are okay now. Look forward to getting to know you more. x
Thank you for being so brave and sharing with the world. I had an eating disorder too and I can’t say I’m completely recovered as I struggle with that part of myself but thank you for sharing 🙂
You are truly amazing! Thank you for fighting so hard and now spreading hope to others!
I just came across your blog for the first time. Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully everything is going well for you. God bless x
Thank you for the message, it has it’s up and down days. That is life. : ) hope you are okay.
Your words really touched me – I too suffered so much at the hands of others and for a long time I carried those awful memories around. Writing is one thing that always provided peace for me but sometimes or lately it isn’t enough. – You are tenacious and a very strong person – you have found something I’m still searching for. All I can say is wow!! I am very impressed by making your acquaintance via Script. Keep doing what you are doing and embrace your happiness. Well I have a bit of free time so I’m just peeking and reading your work.
Peace and Serenity
Thank you for your lovely words. I am glad I met you. 😉