Gemma’s Triumph: Inspiring Thousands with Her Battle Against an Eating Disorder
Helaas tonen statistieken aan dat eetstoornissen nog steeds overheersend zijn bij vrouwen over de hele wereld. Hoeveel mensen precies worden getroffen, is een gok, omdat talloze patiënten geen hulp zoeken en dus niet worden vermeld.
But as you’re around someone suffering from an eating disorder, you’ll likely realize it sooner or later. And if someone you love is dealing with such an issue, it can be very challenging.
The Australian teenager Gemma Walker had been battling anorexia for years. Her parents helplessly watched as their daughter’s body withered, trapped in the grip of anorexia.
At some point, it got so bad that Gemma’s father, Steve, would sneak into his daughter’s room every morning to make sure she was still breathing.
“Some nights, we just sat on the floor by her bed, just to be near her, there was nothing else we could do,” said Steve.
(Warning: Shocking images below).
When Gemma turned 14, she weighed only 27 kilos. Her parents, well aware of the severity of her illness, eventually took her to the hospital.
The doctors’ diagnosis was clear: if her condition didn’t change immediately, her life would be in jeopardy. They even predicted she had only 48 hours left to live.
‘I felt numb, the days blended into one another and I hoped each day to pass away, hoping to peacefully sleep. My family and I were ready to say goodbye,’ Gemma told the British Daily Mail.
But it wasn’t Gemma’s time yet. Instead, she remained in the hospital for a few weeks.
And there would be many more emergency interventions during the seven years Gemma struggled with her eating disorders. She was also admitted to the psychiatric ward twice.
Yet, she refused to eat.
She tried to deceive doctors by hiding weights under her clothes while standing on the scale. And soon, another classic outcome of anorexia emerged: Gemma began cutting her wrists. She wanted to end her life.
Her father recalls those difficult years with much pain:
‘Seven years is a long time to see your baby suffer, a long time to see your child numb, voiceless, personality-less – just a body,’ he said.
But eventually, she gave in, at least that’s what the family believed.
Gemma started eating again, but soon it became evident that she had swung to the other extreme. She developed binge eating disorder—occasionally consuming 6,500 calories in just 20 minutes—and induced vomiting.
She went from eating nothing at all – to bulimia.
“My recovery was very traumatic,” she said.
Initially, people thought Gemma was improving because she had gained some weight and looked healthier.
But her battle with bulimia lasted almost 18 months. Gemma shifted from obsessive and strict restrictions to complete loss of control.
During that time, her weight tripled. But slowly, with the help of her loved ones, she managed to take real steps towards a healthier life.
Before, Gemma’s father had suggested she write a farewell letter to her anorexia.
For six years, Gemma’s letter remained tucked away in a drawer until she was finally ready to let go.
Alongside the immense support she received from her family, Gemma credits her healing to her partner, who she says supported her through it:
‘My partner has been an incredible support and is honestly the reason I’m still alive,’ she said.
Gemma has now regained her spark of life, stating that she has left the illness behind. Finally, she is taking her first steps towards a new, healthier chapter in life.
‘I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, it’s such an amazing, surreal feeling,’ she said.
To commemorate six months since she began her new life, she posted some photos of herself online, revealing her incredible transformation.
An amazing way to boost her self-confidence, as well as to show others in similar situations that there is always a way out.
Gemma has also launched her skincare brand. With her renewed energy, Gemma discovered she wanted to start her own business and now hopes to pursue a career in the cosmetics industry.
Well done, Gemma!
By simply viewing the before and after photos, you understand the arduous battle Gemma fought.
It’s heartbreaking that it went that far – but her journey is also a clear example of the determination we possess within ourselves – that it’s possible to make change.
Gemma is now an inspiration to others still struggling to free themselves from the dreadful grip of eating disorders – and she does so with pride.
Please share Gemma’s story if you agree that her battle was inspiring and deserves further dissemination!
