Dear Friends,

I wanted to share with you 3 songs and videos that I believe you will relate
to. I have been told by many people who are struggling with eating
disorders (e/d) -- all types of e/d that these songs helped and through them
they
were able to find some clarity. As a revovered e/d person I agree and can
understand. This is the beauty of music.

1) Bring Me To Life by: Evanescence (Fallen CD 2004)
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjUTrMwcLFw_
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjUTrMwcLFw)

2) Everybody's Fool by: Evanescence (Fallen CD
2004)_http://www.blastro.com/player/evanescenceeverybodysfool.html?detect_mediat\
ype=wmv&detect_bitrate=_300_

(http://www.blastro.com/player/evanescenceeverybodysfool.html?detect_mediatype=w\
mv&detect_bitrate=_300)


I wanted you to see this video because I think you'll get it as most people
who are struggling with e/d do. It's talking about wearing a masquerade and
living your life with it.


3 Call Me When You're Sober by: Evanescence (The Open Door CD October 2006)
_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4tINDO8fU_
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4tINDO8fU)

Now, I don't know if you are also struggling with alcohol and/or drugs, but
this video and lyrics are crystal clear for those who do. In fact, e/d can
be just like struggling with alcohol and drugs in many ways. So this video
and song does fit the cause.

For those who journal I would like to suggest that you watch and listen to
these songs and videos and then just journal away your thoughts, feeling,
anything that comes to your mind. Even it they are just words. It doesn't
have
to make sense. In fact, I bet you that after you do this little "homework
assignment" and you should take it to your counselor and talk about it with he
or she and then once you do this what you've written or typed will make
sense. You may even contact me to discuss it. This little homework assignment
I
would like to advise every member to do, not just those who are directly
struggling, but also those who are indirectly struggling. Remember, e/d
effects
the entire family.

I just hope that you are not insulated by this songs/videos because that is
not my intention.

This Online Support Group is also for those who do SI, alcohol and drug
abuse. If you know of any males who are struggling with e/d, SI, alcohol
and/or
drug abuse please tell them about this group.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, please feel free to let me
know. This is "Your (Online and telephone) Eating Disorders Support Group."
Yes, I am the Founder and Lynda is the Cofounder and Nurse Consultant, but
without you there would be no Online Eating Disorders Support Group for those
who are directly struggling and those who are watching their loved ones',
family members, friends, husbands, wives, children (minor or adult) struggle.

We want all of you to get better!!! You don't have to tell me how hard it
is because I've been there. We believe you CAN become either cured or
recovered.
Our goal is to save lives and prevent eating disorders. We need your help
to do this.

You are NOT alone!!! We honestly means this.

For those who want to talk with me and/or Lynda, please e-mail me and let's
schedule a date and time. Okay?

We are working on this telephone situation just as quickly as we can. If it
was just me this never would have happened.

We hope that those who have Blocked me/us from privately e-mailing you that
you have UnBlocked me/us. We can't try to help those who do this and we
request that you don't deleted our e-mails either. If you are bothered by
something I/we have sent, etc., Blocking and/or deleting e-mails isn't the
answer.
Open and honest communication is always the answer. Sure, I/we might touch
on some subjects that are uncomfortable, but are struggling with eating
disorders, SI, i.e., cutting, etc., alcohol and/or drug abuse and the strong
possibility that if you don't deal with it now and you end up dying due to
complications. Is that a comfortable subject(s)? Absolutely not!!! We are
fighting to try to save lives and if you truly want help we are here/hear and
we
will fight for your life without lies and masks, etc., but you must meet us
half way. If I, Erika, learned that a member of this group God forbid, died, I
would be beyond sad. I care and Lynda cares!!!

I know that I want to start and have wanted to start a chat to be one times
per week for hr. (if we want longer time or more chats that can be done).
Please consider this. We could meet right on the EDSA Chatroom or I could
setup one this way even non EDSA members can join. We need to start to get to
know each other. I would like to setup a telephone call tree. I need feedback
so please let me know. I can tell you that if we do this you will find out
that you really are not as alone as you believe and that others have been
through and/or going through situations that you are.

Furthermore, we both ask that you please spread the word about EDSA and the
advocacy work that we do and are doing. Please help us help you!!! If
someone ends up in a hospital or a residential treatment center out here in S.,
CA
(Los Angeles area) and you would like to meet me for support or just to know
that you have someone who will advocate for you please let me know. If we
were well off or even wealthy I honestly would fly anywhere. Our ultimate
goal is to start our own treatment center where NO ONE is turned away, no
locked
units/doors, no punishments, no rewards for eating 50% or more, no points,
no level systems, no following you back and forth to and from the bathroom, no
Ensure or Boost, etc.

There's only 1 residential treatment center in the US that doesn't do all of
that. My mother, Lynda, and I always say to these treatment centers who do
this, "Well, if you treat them like children they are going to act like
children." Indeed, this is very true. In fact, the Case Manager and recovered
bulimic at this 1 treatment center said almost the same comment that my mother,
Lynda, and I use. Besides, there's NO "real trust." The pts. just learn how
to "work the program(s)" so they can gain their goal weight and become
discharged. Treatment programs such as these also don't help properly
reintroduce
pts. back into the "real world" and relapsing is much higher in these
treatment.

I wasn't treated like that where I went for my residential treatment when I
was 19 years old in 1994. I even had my own room, my own telephone, my own
bathroom with bathtub and yes, the toilet was in there. I could lock the
bathroom door while I was taking my bath. Being an incest survivor it is so
important to know that you have locks on the bathroom door, and I have to sleep
with noise, i.e., a ceiling fan, TV on low, and maybe even a light on low,
etc. Throughout my years of advocating for people who have been sexually
abused
and/or raped and combining this with advocating for people who are
struggling with eating disorders (all types) I have found that this is not at
all
uncommon. I am no longer a victim, I am a proud survivor!!! If it can happen
for me, it can happen for you!



I will let all of you know the telephone number so that you can call me or
us.
If you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns, please let me and/or
Lynda know.
Take care of yourself and each other. Peace.



With Continued Support Always,

Erika Stewart, Founder, EDSA (Eating Disorders Support for All) at AOL Groups
and Yahoo Groups)

_Assertivewoman1@..._ (mailto:Assertivewoman1@...)

_Freedomisntfree2003@..._ (mailto:Freedomisntfree2003@...)

and

Lynda Lutz, RN, Cofounder and Nurse Consultant EDSA (Eating Disorders Support
for All at AOL and Yahoo Groups)

_Fenderstratg1968@..._ (mailto:Fenderstratg1968@...)


_Fenderstratg1968@..._ (mailto:Fenderstratg1968@...)















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