Please note that this is an Archived article and may contain content that is out of date. The use of she/her/hers pronouns in some articles is not intended to be exclusionary. Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.

Author: Jan

Checking into Center for Change was the best decision I have ever made. My Eating Disorder had complete control over me. I wanted to want to get better, but there is no way I could have made the commitment to change without the help of the Center.

I was able to express my feelings and views with complete honesty for the first time in my life. The staff at Center for Change was amazing. I have never felt so much unconditional love and understanding. I slowly learned that I could be who and what I really was and people would still love me. Nothing could have demonstrated this better then the Center. Through hours of various therapy groups, I uncovered the underlying issues that led me to my eating disorder. It never ceased to amaze me how my therapist, Dr. Hardman, could analyze exactly how I felt by meeting with me several times a week. He helped me recognize and recover from my eating disorder. The systems and rules were there for my benefit. I was able to move at my own rate, earn the trust of others, and trust myself as I moved up through the program. I have a love for the Center and its staff that I will never be able to fully express. They gave me the jump start I needed to work toward 100% recovery.

I didn’t know hope existed until now. I have lived my life wishing and wanting for everything I didn’t have and didn’t believe my dreams could ever come true. One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that we tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming under us today. The fact is, we destroy the roses blooming at our feet because were jumping up and down trying to see over the horizon. It wasn’t until I stopped comparing myself to others that I finally noticed my rose garden being destroying. By turning my focus towards myself, I was able to nurture my roses, or inward qualities. Hope for recovery and a happy outlook for the future overflows my soul. I only wish I could help others that are struggling with recovery.

I know that everyone out there has his/her personal rose garden that is struggling to grow and live. Please step back and focus on all that you do have and can have in your life. I love myself not for my outward appearance but for my beautiful, continuously growing rose garden I have within.