Interviews With Andrea Roe, Author of "You Are Not Alone" Volumes I and II
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Posted by Jeannie Delahunt Oct 1, 2009 |
I chose to interview Andrea before reviewing her books, because, I thought it best for readers to hear that no one has to suffer the punishment an eating disorder chains the sufferer to - absolutely no one!
Andrea, herself, is a living, breathing example of recovery reality. I hope the readers of the series of interviews can not only hear Andrea's eating disorder voice, but can see how she faced the reality of her condition and turned it around. Consequently, Andrea is now free from the slave master and passionately seeks to help others recover or at the very least entertain and make the steps, even if they are baby steps, closer to recovery and freedom.
She also knows what it feels like to be isolated and forced into secrecy. Disordered eating, like a fungus, grows in the dark until sunlight is shed upon it. Since the fungus can't grow or flourish where there is no darkness, it dies. Healing comes in its stead - flowers reaching towards and kissing the sunlight.
It is most unfortunate that some cultures place success and beauty exclusively upon the physical aspects of the human body, both female and male. Thus, people feel pressured to de-evaluate themselves and only measure themselves by physical characteristics. There is so much more to humanity! So much more to life and living!
The answer? I believe, it is time to fight back. When ads bombard us with sexy, gorgeous models, it is time to write letters to the companies that promote unattainable, unrealistic physical images of men and women and let them know the damage these ads do to the well-being of people, especially the teenagers who are most vulnerable and at risk.
People come in all shapes and sizes. It is high time cultures accept that and move on. Since I live in the US, where glossy ads of beautiful people are in almost any magazine sold at the supermarket, I have to pick on my home country. Personally, I think if companies that run ridiculous ad campaigns were in reality, their sales potential would sore.
For myself, I don't even bother looking at ads of women or men who are gorgeous, because they look fake, phony and false to me, and I know full well the glitz and tricks used to sell a product or an ideal.
When will we say enough, and let it be known that enough is enough, perhaps, disordered eating suffering will become a diagnosis of the past.
If you are a teenager, and you are not eating or eating and purging, participating in excessive exercising, don't let those conditions continue. See your school nurse. Talk to your parents, if you think your parents will understand. If they do not understand or minimize what you are telling them, locate the eating disorder treatment facilities in your city/state/province, etc. Don't let the condition drag on. It is hurting you emotionally, psychologically and physically. Help is available!
Thanks, I needed to say that. Thanks for reading! Oh, and stay tuned. Besides the book reviews, an interview with the producer (Shannon Cutts) of the free CD that accompanies Andrea's book will be appearing. Shannon is a disordered eating recoverer as well. And heads up? The book and the CD are excellent! However, due to some traumatic issues which the book focuses upon, caution is necessary for any trauma survivor - best to read while under the help of a trained, trauma and/or eating disorder therapist, especially, if the trauma has not been previously addressed.
Below are the interviews with Andrea.
Blessings!