Spread The Word
the problem:
National Eating Disorder Awareness week is February 22-28th, which is when my project will begin, but it will not end until it is finished. I want to help spread the word about eating disorders, and how terrible they are. It's such an easy issue to ignore unless you have to personally deal with it. The sad truth is, eating disorders kill more teenagers than car accidents and cancer together. But, you see ads and campaigns for cancer and car accidents...how many ads to you see standing up against eating disorders? 0! Until Feb. 22. On Feb. 22 the community of Topeka Kansas will not be able to ignore the facts any longer.
vital stats:
people impacted:
50people involved:
15why it's important:
I'm starting out by handing out flyers downtown. It sounds kind of lame, but the flyers will have all of the facts and at least half of the people I hand them to will read them. I've contacted businesses in the downtown area and have asked if I can display posters in their windows. I'm selling t shirts to promote a healthy self image. I've also contacted several businesses about doing a jean drive, which promotes getting rid of "skinny" jeans and slipping on comfortable ones. I'm in the process of writing a play, which I will direct at a nearby theatre. All of these things will catch the attention of community members and they won't be able to ignore the facts.
the plan of action:
The first step that I took to build my project was to start a facebook event promoting National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. This was a good way to tell people about it, and if they look at the event page, they can read the facts and invite their friends to participate. I also contacted several businesses in the area to participate in displays and jean drives. I've written a play about eating disorders, and am in the editing stage. So far, I've reached out to one man that has admitted to his eating disorder for the first time. This is HUGE! The first step in recovery is admitting the problem. Several of my facebook friends have admitted to not knowing the facts that I shared about eating disorders and have volunteered to do help spread the word.
how you can get involved:
Anyone can participate in this wherever they live! People can hand out flyers, write to their news stations, write to their state representative about changing health insurance plans to cover mental disorders. Spread the facts. Talk to your school, or work place about doing a jean drive. Write a story on your experience. Love your body.
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Comments
i think that trying to get rid of skinny jeans is a weee bit extreme. but, it is a good cause (:
Actually, the National Eating Disorder Association collected thousands of pairs of jeans last year. It was incredible. It isn't too extreme.
And by the way, no one said I am trying to "get rid of skinny jeans". Haha. What I meant was, instead of having jeans that you wear on skinny days, and jeans you wear on fat days, just wear what you're comfortable in. Be happy with your body, and get rid of jeans that do not fit.
This is really cool. I know many girls that have had eating disorders, and have even struggled with them myself. Often the people who seem most confident, have more insecurities than those that don't.
i think this is really cool.
im so gonna help out with this.
I once had an eating disorder so i think its nice that someone actually cares!!!!
I have struggled with eating disorders and continue to do so. These days your considered fat unless you look anorexic. I personally am aware of how bad I feel about myself and my body. The self-image I have today has been created by years of guys taunting and teasing me about my weight even though I have never been fat, nor thin. I think what you are attempting at is a fabulous goal and I really do hope you manage to change the lives of people suffering from eating disorders. Best of Luck!
Thank you all so much, you make me want to work even harder on this. Next year is going to be better than ever. Thank you!
while i commend your efforts, your publicity picture, as it emphasizes a woman's skinny waist, perpetuates the ideal of beauty that can be so destructive among anorexics and bulimics.
you post a picture of what your shirts look like. i would like to see one. and possibly get one? if that's possible?
Martha =)
This is great ^ can youi post a picture of what your shirts look like!
This sounds like a great project. Could you possible post pictures or flyers, I really want to advocate for this cause in my community.
You have a very inspring story! I love to hear that other people are trying to help spread the words about eating disorders also. I myself am an eating disorder speaker in my community and organziing an NEDA walk in april. I suffered from anorexia and bulimia for almost 3 years.
Awesome project! Did you know DoSomething.org and DKMS are launching a national bone marrow donor registration drive this fall?
We're having a conference call to get partners together to share ideas for making the campaign a success. It's next Tuesday at 4p. We'd love to have you guys on the phone!
The call details are available here: http://dsorg.us/lN3mWS
What you are doing is great! I've recently recovered from an eating disorder and I understand how important a cause this is! Also I would like to thank you for including the statistics for men. Too many people think of it as just being a disease found in women. Keep it up!!!!!!!!
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