Distorted: that’s the first word that comes to mind when I think of the public’s view on eating disorders. The other day as I babysat my friend’s kid, he turned and asked me if it would make him lose weight if he stuck his finger down his throat. He’s 8 years old. Taken aback, I looked at him and told him it’d make him sick and wouldn’t help him at all. He then continued on and let me know that he had heard that it’d make him skinny on a cartoon show that is intended to be comedic. Eating disorders are a disease and they have a higher mortality rate than all other mental illnesses, including major depression. An estimated five to ten percent of anorexics will die within the first ten years of developing the disorder. Twenty percent of anorexics will die prematurely due to effects of their disorder. On top of that, only one in ten people with an eating disorder will actually get the treatment that they need to recover. Eating disorders can and will kill someone. So why is it that they are taken so lightly? Eating disorders show no mercy. They take over your mind and every aspect of your life. I’ve been struggling with anorexia binge/purge type for three years. I’ve lost over forty pounds. My disorder has lead me to self-harm myself numerous times and to attempt suicide twice. I’ve been hospitalized four times, one of those being on Christmas of 2009. I’m waiting on word now of whether or not I’ll be shipped off to another treatment center. I’m still sick and fighting for recovery every day of my life. However, I don’t sit around and pity myself for my disorder. Instead, I’m using it to try and make an impact, even though I’m still sick myself. I’ve opened SSA to give everyone with an eating disorder a chance to share their story. I’m working hard to tell everyone that this is a deadly disease. It isn’t a joke, it isn’t a phase, and it isn’t something as uncommon as people tend to think. I want people to understand what it’s like to constantly battle with your own mind. Not only that, but I’ve started a petition to gain the media’s attention. Once I have a decent amount of signatures, I’ll begin contacting numerous news stations and talk shows and ask them to bring attention to the disorder. I have a single small voice, but I can be loud. And I intend to be. I will not stop until people hear my voice and pay attention to how dangerous an eating disorder is. I will make a change, whether it be small or big. I will impact someone someday and that alone will be enough to keep me fighting for my own recovery and hopefully save some lives. That is what the SSA is about. I have chosen Demi Lovato as the face of the site due to her own story of struggle and inspiring battle for recovery. Feel free to contact me at staystrongawareness@gmail.com