A personal note to caregivers….

When I first realized my older daughter was struggling with an eating disorder, I felt lost. I didn’t know where to turn, what steps to take, or how we would ever find our way through it. I was scared – terrified, honestly – because nothing about this felt familiar or manageable. These were completely uncharted waters.

What I learned quickly is that we couldn’t do this alone. I needed to find professional help, dig into every resource I could get my hands on, and connect with others who had walked a similar path. I also came to understand something deeply humbling: my daughter held the key to her own recovery. She was the one who had to face the hard, painful work every single day. But I could be there – beside her, behind her, lifting her up when she needed it.

Support is everything in this journey. And it takes many forms. I did my best to show up with calm, confidence, compassion and consistency – even on the days I was running on empty. I didn’t always get it right, and that’s okay. Sometimes she didn’t want my help, and that was okay too. What mattered is that I stayed. I kept showing up.

If you’re reading this, chances are you already know that recovery is not linear, or easy. It’s uncomfortable, it’s scary, and it can feel impossibly heavy at times – for everyone involved.

Since the beginning of Stay Strong Virginia, I’ve had the honor of witnessing countless families and individuals navigate this journey and come out stronger. I am endlessly grateful – to our dedicated local providers, the treatment centers who’ve walked alongside us, and especially to the families who show up for one another, time and again.

And to the siblings – the quiet heroes who so often go unseen – I see you. I know how an eating disorder can consume the household and pull focus away from everyone else. My younger daughter, who I love beyond words, had to share me in ways no child should have to. She made sacrifices every single day. I wasn’t always emotionally or physically present the way I wanted to be, but please know I carried you with me, every moment, everywhere I went.

Yes, eating disorders steal time. They disrupt routines, relationships, and the rhythm of family life. But here’s the truth I now hold close: in some deeply meaningful ways, they can also bring families closer. My daughters and I are stronger together now than we’ve ever been.

Whatever role you’re playing in this journey – parent, sibling, caregiver, partner, friend – know that your presence matters. Your love matters. And most importantly, recovery is possible.

Stay strong. Hold onto hope.

With all my heart,