Continuing her recovery

Schley didn’t break that vow not to cry until she was in her late 40s, then she cried for about a year during her healing, she recalled.

Now at 52, she can talk about her ongoing recovery.

She doesn’t have to rely solely on her memory, because she’s kept a journal for most of her adult life. Those journals and her present perspective are the basis for a book she’s writing now.

She’s been sober for more than 25 years and she got the bulimia under control, but it took time.

Schley sought help through counselling throughout her life but she never stuck with it long enough for it to help her.

When she was released from Mackenzie hospital Schley made her way to Prince George for more in-depth help.

In Prince George Schley found a particular counsellor she clicked with. At the time, Lana Tosoff was with the Prince George eating disorder clinic.

A few years later, as Tosoff moved from the clinic to the Surpassing Our Survival Society, which specializes in counselling for children, women and men who are victims of sexual violence, the two women kept their connection and Schley continued her recovery, making the long drives from Mackenzie, even through the winter.

After three or four years, the weekly counselling sessions went to every other week.

Still, more was needed. now I have a voice. I don’t feel like I’m going crazy anymore, because I felt like I was crazy my whole life and I just wanted to die. Now I don’t wanna die. I feel like I can fly on my own now. I wanna to be able to help people and I want them to be free like me so if you need a counsellor, go get one.”