COCO’S BIG SECRET
Coco has been suffering in silence for months now. Despite having their suspicions, not even her family know what has been plaguing her. This week, Coco can no longer hide her secret when she is urgently rushed to hospital. Helping to build a gazebo with her family, Coco (Anna Cocquerel), who hasn’t eaten all day, is struggling under the hot sun. ‘Her eating disorder stems from many things,’ Anna, 16, explains. ‘The stress of moving to Summer Bay, fighting with Ziggy [Sophie Dillman] and being bullied at her new school.’
An empty stomach and the hot sun beating down on her prove to be a powerful combination and Coco’s lightheadedness takes control as she collapses and begins convulsing.
Ben (Rohan Nichol) soon finds his youngest daughter unconscious and the family rush Coco to hospital.
When they arrive, Coco is able to respond to Dr Tori (Penny Mcnamee), who asks if Coco has had anything to eat today. Tori explains she thinks Coco may have had a seizure.
When Tori receives Coco’s blood tests, Coco requests her family leave the room so they don’t hear the diagnosis.
‘Coco is afraid to be judged,’ Anna explains. ‘She doesn’t want to trouble her family, who already have so much going on.’
Tori tells Coco she knows about her eating disorder, and if she doesn’t take control of it soon, her health is going to spiral out of control.
Will Coco beat her demons?