A Chance to Heal had a busy first quarter with multiple activities surrounding National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. It was our second year of programming so we were engaged in many more activities and schools. This year’s effort again focused attention on the role genetics plays in determining body size and shape with the theme: Be Comfortable in Your Genes!
Thank you to everyone for their hard work!
A Chance to Heal cosponsored a panel discussion in conjunction with the Gershman Y exhibit on beauty and body image. Panelists included Dr. Jane Shure, Ivy Silver, Rachel Weiss of Kolot, artists Rita Bernstein, Ellie Brown and Leslie Goldman, author of the Locker Room Diaries: The Naked Truth About Women, Body Image, and Re-imagining the "Perfect" Body.
Main Line Today | May 2007
Inside Out: Beauty isn't an illusion. Perfection is. featuring Terri Filler Cohen
Voices in the Family | March 12, 2007
Sexualization of Girls featuring Dr. Jane Shure
Q102 | February 25, 2007
A Chance to Heal Interview
Woman's World Magazine
In the News: Mother-Daughter Eating Disorders featuring Ivy and Rachel Silver
CBS 3 | December 1, 2006
Pat Ciarrocchi interviews Ivy and Rachel Silver
Philadelphia Magazine | November 2006
Spotlighted Emme Event
Comcast Newsmakers | November 1, 2006
Emme talks about A Chance to Heal Foundation
6 ABC | November 8, 2006
Super Model Spreads Message About Beauty
Times Chronicle | November 8, 2006
Eating disorders, easily hidden, could prove deadly featuring A Chance to Heal
The Times Herald | November 11, 2006
A Healthy Ideal, Emme's event in Norristown
Daily News | November 15, 2006
'Thin' Tackles Tough Issue
Philadelphia Inquirer | October 23, 2006
Models are so thin, designers so dense
Complete articles at achancetoheal.org
A new section of the achancetoheal.org website has been designed for healthcare providers.
Including materials prepared by our Medical Committee and other leading experts in the field, the site offers downloadable reference guides, expert advice on treating eating disorders, and recommended reading. The American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Psychiatric Association both offer CME Credits in treating eating disorders on their websites. Go to achancetoheal.org for those links.
More treatment centers are realizing the strong correlation between eating disorders and substance addiction. On April 13th, Caron Treatment Centers and the Betty Ford Center held a conference about addiction prevention and recovery in women which included a session on eating disorder diagnosis, prevention, and recovery. Tina Holland, Donna Brennan, and Danie Greenwell were there to hand out information about A Chance to Heal and meet mental health professionals from around the country.
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As part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, A Chance to Heal held its First Annual Poetry Contest. Teneema Tibbs of Norristown Area High School won First Prize and a check for $75. Tabitha Cannon from Academy of the New Church in Bryn Athyn took Second Prize ($50) and Michele Hannon of Norristown Area High School won Third Prize ($25). Here is Teneema's winning poem. The other two poems are available on achancetoheal.org. 
ATCH's First Annual Poetry Contest winners Michele Hannon and Teneema Tibbs, both of Norristown Area High School. |
Diversity
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Ivy Silver testified before Representative Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Representative Joe Sestak (D-PA), and Representative Jim Ramstad (R-CT) at a mental health parity forum on February 27th. Representatives Patrick Kennedy and Jim Ramstad recently introduced the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act (HR 1424/ S 558) into the House. This act would amend current law "to require equity in the provision of mental health and substance-related disorder benefits under group health plans." This act would require insurance companies to treat mental illnesses in the same way they treat physical illnesses so that people who are insured will be able to get the treatment they need.
Eating disorder advocates from around the nation met on Tuesday, May 1st to educate congress about mental healthcare parity and eating disorder funding. The Eating Disorder Coalition organized the day's events, including message training, appointments with congress members and their staff, and an award presentation for Patrick Kennedy for his work on mental healthcare issues.
Four Pennsylvanians traveled to DC for the day: Eileen Binckley, Rebecca Aycock, Danie Greenwell and Becky Anderson. The four met with aides for Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey, Representatives Charles Dent, Patrick Murphy, and Allyson Schwartz. The Mental Health Parity Act is predicted to pass the House and Senate this year and be signed into law by the President. Other great news is that soon, Patrick Kennedy will be introducing the FREED Act (Federal Response to Eliminate Eating Disorders). Once that happens, we will send an email reminder out to call your Senator or Representative, and encourage them to support FREED: a comprehensive bill for the research, education, and treatment of eating disorders. Info at eatingdisorderscoalition.org.
Body Diversity:
Design Competition and Fashion Show If you have ever tried to find a pair of pants that looks great on someone who is 4'9” or wondered why none of the clothes at that designer boutique fit, ACTH has a show for you. Philadelphia University and A Chance to Heal are partnering on an exciting fashion event! This November 15th, students from Philadelphia University will compete in a fashion design show that showcases bodies of all ages, sizes, shapes, and complexions. If you would like to volunteer or sponsor this event, please email info@achancetoheal.org. Check our website for updates.
A Chance to Heal continues to provide specialized continuing education for practitioners through Hospital Grand Rounds and medical school education. ATCH Board Directors Roz Kaplan, MD Internal Medicine, David Steinman, MD Psychiatry and Jane Shure, LCSW, PhD teach the curriculum: "Medical Complications of Eating Disorders".
Approximately 135 physicians, nurses, administrators, and other personnel participated in Grand Rounds at Abington Hospital in the fall. Grand Rounds are the easiest way to reach physicians who are often not sufficiently educated to identify and treat eating disorders. Few physicians realize that restrictive eating is almost always a precursor to disordered eating. Our medical board has made the education of medical practitioners their main focus for the year and is highly committed to training practitioners on the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
To schedule Grand Rounds at a hospital or to arrange a presentation of "Medical Complications of Eating Disorders" for a medical organization or group, email info@achancetoheal.org or call (215)885-2420.
A Chance to Heal's fall fundraiser attracted over 200 people to hear the supermodel Emme speak about her experiences breaking the weight barrier in advertising and about her work with body image issues. Her message, aimed at increasing awareness and raising funds to help treat eating disorders, has gained her a lot of attention in the industry. Cindy Griffin, the women's basketball coach at St. Joe's University and Rachel Silver emceed the evening. The following is one young teen's response to the evening:
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An Evening with Emme by Maddy Kaplan I was really excited when my Mom invited me to go to A Chance to Heal's fundraiser featuring Emme last fall. I started modeling a couple of years ago, and Emme has always been one of the models I admire-someone who serves as a role model for aspiring models like me. I got a chance to meet Emme and get a picture taken with her. She really inspired me when she said, "Don't let your modeling coaches tell you what to do. Do what's right." |
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Her story has always been amazing to me, and I admire her for sharing it with others. She's a good person to look up to because she challenges the stereotype that models are skinny, and that to be beautiful, women must be skinny. She proves that you don't have to be skinny and 90 pounds to be beautiful. Emme gave a great talk and really got her message out that night. People of all ages attended, but there were not a lot of girls as young as I am there. I hope more younger teens will listen to women like Emme before they form dangerous habits in the effort to be unnaturally thin.
The day after Reclaim the True Beauty Within, Emme refashioned her presentation for about 800 students at Norristown Area High School. The Times Herald reported "the students got to revel in Aronson's passion and knowledge thanks to the 'graciousness of A Chance to Heal Foundation.'" About the event, Emme told The Times Herald, "I love connecting to kids and breaking through false stereotypes and filling them with power and knowledge."
For the second year, A Chance to Heal is pleased to announce a challenge grant from the Miles Family Foundation. The Foundation has pledged to match all donations to A Chance to Heal with one dollar for every dollar we raise from other donors, to a maximum of $5,000. The Miles Family Foundation clearly understands and appreciates the importance of the mission of A Chance to Heal. Having experienced the impact of an eating disorder within their own family, the Miles Family Foundation shares our commitment to preventing eating disorders and supporting access to treatment for those impacted by the disease.
Thank you Miles Family!
Help us meet the challenge with a generous and fully tax-deductible contribution to A Chance to Heal. Your gift is more powerful than ever, with ACTH receiving an additional dollar for every dollar you donate. Please make checks payable to "A Chance to Heal Foundation” and send to PO Box 2342, Jenkintown, PA 19046 or donate online at achancetoheal.org.
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Dr. Harin Feibish and Dr. Jane Shure hosted NoBody's Perfect programming at Aetna offices in NY and PA. These small conversational programs are aimed at helping people explore self esteem, body image and disordered eating. If you or your company are interested in attending or hosting one of these workshops, please email info@achancetoheal.org. Thank you to Harriet Kalminski and Mary Claire Bonner, Aetna Vice President: Small and Middle Market Business, for hosting these events! One participant, Karen Scott, wrote the following in response to the program: |
NYC No Body's Perfect participants: Lena Leshner, Naomi Saltzman, Harin Feibish, Eleanor Jean Hendley, and event sponsor Mary Claire Bonner. |
I'm tired of...
Hanging on to my "fighting weight" at age 30
The size 6 suit that mocks me from my closet each morning
Measuring myself against an advertising ideal
That represents something that isn't true.
I'm confused by...
Organic foods, whole foods, macrobiotic foods
Hoodia, hypnotism, the glycemic value of a carrot
Eating raw, vegan, fruitarian and
Why I still crave French fries at 4 o'clock.
I've measured...
Incline level, distance, heart rate
BMI, water retention, portion size
Calories, points, carbs, fat, fiber
And the inches around my waistline.
I've already...
Rethought Thin
Changed One
Busted Sugar
Put Me on a Diet
and tried to transform my
Body for Life.
I savor the thought of...
Taking one simple step away from the treadmill
Walking with Tiger in the park instead
Looking for rabbits
Smelling the freshly mowed grasses
And listening to the distant rally of the girls softball league
Cheering me on into the evening.
