Bridge to Recovery Walk 2013

#PowerfulBeyondMeasure

I can feel myself starting to get emotional before I even finish this sentence.

Yesterday was the annual Bridge to Recovery Walk at my old treatment center. It is an event held to raise eating disorder awareness and support loved ones in recovery. For the past couple of months I have actually been debating whether or not it was a good idea for me to even go. Honestly, being back in that environment is pretty nerve racking and after working so hard to separate myself from the safe environment treatment provided me, I wasn't sure if it was worth making the trip.

At the last minute I decided to invite my best friend, Kaila, for moral support and we made the trip down together. As we drove into the town where my old treatment center is located, I began to realize how strange it was to have an outsider enter that part of my world. The other patients are the only people who truly understand the memories associated with driving down Monroe Street in Sylvania, Ohio. Besides my parents, no one else in my life has made that trip with me; however, I could not have done it without her.

As Kaila and I made our way to the event, my anticipatory anxiety started to get the best of me. All of my fears were erased, however, once I saw the smiling faces of those amazing people who got me through the toughest summer of my life.

The event started with a one mile walk, followed by a raffle drawing, a scale smashing, and finally a cookout. Not only did my anxieties disappear, but I felt an incredible boost of positivity. For the first time being back in that environment didn't bring talk of calories and weight gain. We were simply there to enjoy each others company, reflect on how far we have come, and celebrate everyone's success. I was reminded of what a strong and courageous group of women I was surrounded by last summer. These women understand me on a level that no one else can and I truly believe they saved my life.

One of the former patients spoke and said, "This event is a better booster than any two or three week stay at the treatment center," and I could not agree more. (If a patient begins to slip a little they are often sent back to treatment for a two or three week booster to help them get back on track.) Sometimes the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives can get in the way of the self care and the hard work involved in recovery, but being in the presence of such wonderful people can quickly change that.

Scale Smashing!! :)

 

Today I am still on a high from the Bridge to Recovery Walk 2013. That was one of the best days I have had in a long, long time. Not only was my recovery motivation renewed, but more importantly, I got the spend time with some pretty incredible people. It's hard to imagine where my life would be without the River Centre Clinic.

"Powerful Beyond Measure" was the theme of the walk this year and that is exactly how I feel after attending.

Progress.