Eight months ago today the world changed. Yeah, I know the world changes every day; but sometimes it's personal, sometimes the change is exhilarating, sometimes the change is painfully earth-shattering, but the change comes whether we want it to or not.
Many of us (myself included) go through the motions of each day forgetting that in just a moment everything we know, everything that is familiar, and everything we think is lasting, is truly temporary and will change wether we are ready for it or not. I'm not the first to experience this, nor will I be the last, but last night I was reminded why stories matter and why our experience must be shared and the story retold.
Late last night I learned of another young, teenage girl, here, close to home, who has been battling ED. I was reminded of how hard it is to get quality treatment and that for most families treatment is not affordable and how ludicrous insurance policies are when it comes to helping those battling an eating disorder. I won't jump on a soapbox, at least not here and now, but change needs to happen on a much bigger level so those suffering from all that is associated with eating disorders can truly move from illness to recovery. As I lie in bed last night I couldn't get my mind off of her, I couldn't get my mind off of Annie, and the timing of all of this prompts me to write, it reminds me why we run for bliss, and it stirs something within me that I cannot even
explain. It urges me to ask anyone reading this to donate to our iAMBliss team so that the life-changing late-night texts and phone calls communicate messages of hope and recovery, and not despair and devastation. Your money goes directly to scholarships that help make eating disorder treatment available through Project Bliss to those who would not otherwise be able to afford treatment.
Read more about the Anne M Bowe Scholarship Fund and Project Bliss here.
iAMBliss was created so that lives could be changed for the better, so that the pain and agony that unexpected change can bring would not have to be experienced in other families the way it was in ours. We keep running the race that is set before us, but we run, we donate, we seek to help others heal because change is possible, because the indescribable hurt of losing a sister, a daughter, a friend, a loved one can be prevented for someone else.
For those who do not know:
iAMBliss is a team of experienced and inexperienced runners and walkers who are excited to achieve their fitness goals and contribute to Project Bliss.
Joining iAMBliss means we join the fight to save loved ones - men, women, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts, dads, moms, and friends - from all that is associated with eating disorders.
iAMBliss ran its inaugural race on October 20, 2013 in the Columbus Marathon! The Columbus Team more than doubled their fundraising goal, and raised $23,000. iAMBliss will be coming to Ft. Worth, Texas to run in the Cowtown Marathon on February 23, 2014.
Help our team reach our fundraising goals by donating here
Jeremiah 29:11 * #keeprunninAMB
