Anorexia almost killed me... now I aimto help others with this illness
JUST a few summers ago her emaciated body was little more than a skeleton, her organs were starting to fail and doctors feared she might not last the night.
But now Kathryn Kerr is looking forward to starting university and dreaming of a career in nursing after making a remarkable recovery from anorexia.
What’s more, the courageous teenager has become the public face of a pioneering campaign by the charity Beat, that aims to transform the lives of the 5,000plus Scots who are diagnosed with eating disorders every year.
The 17-year-old – and other young volunteers – will travel the country telling pupils, politicians, doctors and teachers of their experiences of battling the debilitating illnesses, which claimed the lives of Green
‘Missed out on so much because of my illness’
ock-born pop star Lena Zavaroni and US singer Karen Carpenter. Rock star Alanis Morissette also battled anorexia as a teenager.
The Beat ambassadors will warn of the pressure on girls and young women to emulate ultra-slim celebrities, with insecurities fuelled by the rise of social media and the trend of posting ‘selfies’.
Kathryn was diagnosed with anorexia five years ago after being tormented by bullies at her school, Biggar High, in Lanarkshire.
Her parents, Graham and Jo, sought medical help after her face became so gaunt the outline of her skull became visible and her body was covered in bruises where her bones were pressing on her skin.
Though admitted to hospital, Kathryn’s condition continued to deteriorate rapidly. She recalled: ‘I was really, really ill. I couldn’t walk. My organs were failing, my heart was failing and, at one point, I was at death’s door.’
But, helped by specialist medical care and counselling, she began her long journey to recovery.
Kathryn recently marked a milestone by attending her school dance, facing down some of those who had made her life hell. She said: ‘It was the first time in a very long while that I actually managed to go out and have fun with my friends and feel like a normal teenager.
‘I missed out on so much at high school because of my illness.’
Keen to help others in a similar position, she became an ambassador and spokesman for Beat. Kathryn, who has received an unconditional offer to study nursing at Dundee University, said: ‘I wanted to give something back to all the people who’ve helped me and to let people know recovery is possible.’