On 18th March 2019 my daughter, Kayleight Rose, died aged 29 years and 4 months. Kae had suffered from Anorexia Nervosa since she was 14 years old and had been formally diagnosed aged 18 years. Kae had moved from the local hospital to the Hospice Thursday afternoon and died Sunday morning from multiple organ failure.
The initial decline had been a slow and steady one, first giving up crisps and chocolate, then becoming vegetarian slowly more and more food became excluded from her diet. It was noticed by friends who came to me and I was also aware however didn’t know what to do or where to go.
Following Kae’s death I struggled with what the point of life was, how can I move forward, what can I do. I was lucky as I was supported by Nature Therapy CIC and gifted a place on the Wolf Medicine Course which empowered me to see that I could move forward, that I was worthy and that I had a pathway to follow. Now following my dismissal from work due to ill health I am able to follow my heart and soul. My mission is now to help those who are in the same situation I found myself in.
So having appeared on local radio and national TV, having spoken to training groups and End of Life Care groups, I am starting a support group for the families, friends and carers of those with eating disorders. There was nothing locally for me and so I can help those who are sadly facing an illness which is misunderstood, much maligned and ridiculed.
Staring 12th November 2019 at 6.30pm I will be at Aspire, Dover Street, Ryde, Isle of Wight for the first meeting of the Supporting Through Experience Group and welcoming anyone who wants to come along and chat. To spend time with those who know the pain and struggles of trying to help someone they love with an ED, to be included, to feel welcome and to share the stories of positive recovery as well as struggles of recovery.
