Help Someone Gain Their Life Back!
Project HEAL’s mission is to raise money to make sure that eating disorders do not succeed in taking over people’s lives. Residential treatment centers usually cost about $30,000 per month. Unfortunately, insurance companies often refuse to cover this cost because they do not classify eating disorders as a medical illness. All parents want their child to recover. Some parents are fortunate that they can afford to pay for this expensive, yet often imperative, treatment if their insurance will not cover it. However, there are many others who cannot. Others go on struggling with these disorders well into their adulthood because they have been unable to access the level of care the need. The money you donate will to help cover necessary treatment of motivated applicants who want to get better and are ready to do the hard work required.
Written by Project HEAL’s First Scholarship Recipient
“A man who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away.” [unknown]
My life changed forever when I met the girls of Project HEAL and was sent to Remuda Ranch. Not only was I given an amazing opportunity that I thank God for, but I also learned that there was hope, that someone DID care and believe in me, and there was more to me than being sick.
I could look back over my life and each moment could be ordered according to weight and calories and time wasted on seemingly “ever-important” and shameful ritual; On exercise and exhaustion and numbness. Hope and change was overshadowed by sickness. Yes, that is my past. But, it is not – it WILL not – be my future. The recovery journey and unmatched kindness and compassion of Project HEAL have helped to shine a light in my darkness and call to an end my secret and silent suffering. I’m not perfect and I do still struggle and fight, but I won’t hide in sickness and I won’t give in ANYMORE! FINALLY, I am coming alive. Finally, I have a purpose. Finally, I have learned to fight. And as long as I am fighting, I am winning.
THANK YOU PROJECT HEAL! I don’t know where I’d be without you [and I don't want to know]. Because of your help I am alive, and I am LIVING. =)
Submitted by Project HEAL’s Second Scholarship Recipient
Written by Project HEAL’s Third Scholarship Recipient
I don’t think one has to have an eating disorder for a very long time to feel the effects. Its addictive properties make it much worse than most would imagine. And it’s not about vanity; it’s not a diet.
When I was at my worst, I went to an inpatient facility in Illinois. However, my mom (a high school teacher looking to become an assistant principal) was the person responsible for paying, and when I reached a stable weight, insurance dropped me. My aunt and dad could surely contribute to the cost of my stay but definitely not the extra month I needed.
We contacted Project HEAL, filled out an application, and then completed an interview. Project HEAL generously donated to my recovery. They were professional, but more than that, they were friendly and genuinely cared. I think it will take me a while to completely devote myself to being alive again, and there are really tough days in this process. But because of this organization, I was able to prepare myself to go home full-time. Because of these amazing girls, I had more time to take in more tools to use in times of distress. I learned more about the underlying issues, too, and that’s what really matters. Thank you Project HEAL!
Written and drawn by Project HEAL’s Fourth Scholarship Recipient
I thank you a million times for giving me the opportunity to be a part of princeton. This program taught me a lot, made me happy, laugh, smile, grow & live! You are all my role models! It was great to meet people (you) who understand me, and that since you guys all recovered, there’s hope for me also! Thank you so much!
Written by Project HEAL’s Fifth Scholarship Recipient
Although I had been in treatment for my eating disorder for several years prior to going to Tapestry, my treatment at Tapestry allowed me to explore the foundation of my eating disorder. Yes, I always knew I used my eating disorder to cope with difficult thoughts and feelings, but I never wanted to acknowledge why I had those difficult thoughts and feelings. Project HEAL helped me extend my stay in treatment so I could dig deep into recovery. While keeping my eating disorder behaviors under control, I was able to sift through my past and recognize those circumstances that continued to affect my everyday life years later. I experienced some of my most difficult and trying days of my life while at Tapestry, but I came out with a new ability to speak the truth about my past and set appropriate boundaries. For years, I held all of my emotions locked inside, but for the first time I cried and cried and cried. I wasn’t afraid for everyone to see me as vulnerable instead of the rock I tried to portray. Although I continue to struggle with the comfort and ease of my eating disorder, I now realize that I am a survivor and I have the courage to live my life free of my disorder.
Written by Project HEAL’s Sixth Scholarship Recipient
Coming Soon!
Written by Project HEAL’s Seventh Scholarship Recipient
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” When I first heard about Project HEAL, I was in a very dark and hopeless place in my life. I was so consumed by my eating disorder that not only did I believe I wasn’t worth saving, but also that it was almost impossible for me to fully recover. After making the difficult decision to put my life on hold and go into residential treatment, I discovered that my insurance would only cover a small fraction of the cost and I was unable to afford the remaining cost of treatment. This was simply devastating.
When Project HEAL awarded me the scholarship to pay for my treatment, they gave me the chance to get my life back. It is difficult to express in words how thankful I am for Project HEAL. They saved my life and I will be eternally grateful! I am now back home after completing residential treatment and am so happy to be fully present in my life again. I am well on my way to a full recovery. I am me again…I can smile, laugh, eat, dream, love, and believe in myself. Although it is hard work, I am so happy to be kicking this eating disorder out of my life. Now I am in a place where I know that a full recovery is possible for me and that I am totally worth it!