Women in the film

Posted on November 11, 2006 by shelly guillory

When Lauren first approached me about being part of this project I really had to give some thought to it. I had never been to Renfrew, had no idea what this treatment center would be like, and was battling my own fears regarding getting well. Lauren called me before I was admitted to Renfrew and talked to me about her past projects, informed me of the reasons she was making this film and book and asked me if I would like to be filmed. I said yes because I thought it was important to get a real look into what treatment was like. The day to day routine and the ups and downs of trying to battle an eating disorder that is so strong it has taken over your life. I also agreed because I wanted my family and friends to see what I was going through. My eating disorder was so secretive-I manipulated, lied, cheated, and hid so much from my family that they didn?t have any idea what I was about to do battle against. I wanted them to learn that what I was doing wasn?t unique, that other people wee this way not just me. I thought if they could see me through treatment they would be better equipped to help support me when I got out. At first I was very nervous about the cameras. I saw them as I pulled into the parking lot on my first day. Lauren, however, had been so great on the phone with me. She gave me an out anytime I wanted and reassured me that I could have the cameras turned off anytime I needed (I think I did this on two occasions). After awhile I began to become friends with the crew. The four of them were amazing and I felt comfortable being around them. So after awhile (a week or so) I didn?t even notice the camera. I just tried to engage myself in my therapy and recovery and if the camera happened to be there then it was there. Some people were competitive and wanted the cameras attention. I felt like I just went along with what was being filmed and didn?t try to be the sickest or the most dramatic in order to be filmed. Although there was a lot of that going on. If I was going to be filmed I wanted it to be the genuine me and not someone who was "acting" for the cameras. Fortunately, I was one of the four whose story is told in the film. I like to watch it, even though it is difficult, because at the beginning I am so out of it and I have no personality. Towards the end I am laughing and smiling more. It is hard for me to see, but at the same time gives me hope. Sometimes i wonder if filming interfered with my recovery. I?ll never know for sure. I don?t know if I am struggling right now because I feel like I still need to be thin. i am not sure if subconsciously that is what I am doing. I do know I am glad to have taken part in this project no matter what. I think it will help a lot of people understand eating disorders more and will also help those suffering try to seek some kind of help.

Recovery has not been an easy road for me. Since leaving Renfrew I have struggled a lot. Not only have I been preoccupied with my eating disorder, I have struggled a lot with major depression and anxiety. Although I think all three are interrelated, it is hard for me because when my depression and anxiety get better, it seems as though my eating disorder gets worse, and vice versa. I have taken numerous medications, had two series of electro-convulsive therapy and have been in and out of the hospital numerous times. I have also had several feeding tubes placed to get my weight back to a safe level. I know my anorexia will not be "cured" by a magic pill or some insight I miraculously have. That is why I am glad I was able to go to Renfrew. Not only did they give me the knowledge and the tools to begin my recovery, they helped guide me to see that the possibility of recovery is available to me if I want it. I did not leave Renfrew cured, I was only in the beginning stages of recovery. When I got home I lost sight of what I was supposed to do. Or maybe deep down inside I did not want recovery. I went back to my old habits. I didn?t want to take a personal inventory of my life-what I was supposed to do, who I was, where am I going-because I was afraid of being someone different. I went back to my old ways of living. I started shutting people out, not taking therapy seriously, lying, and manipulating. I was scared to confront the real me-the real person behind and without the eating disorder. Today, I am working part-time again as a nurse, and I have just recently gotten married. I still am entrenched in my eating disorder. I am not at the goal weight that my doctors would like me to be at. I still struggle with depression and anxiety, but feel I have found medication that has decreased the intensity of these two dreaded and horrendous states of being. I am still scared to confront the real me and until I use the skills I learned at Renfrew and trust myself and those trying to help will I ever be able to enter into a solid recovery. I have to realize I am more than an eating disorder, more than my depression and anxiety to make that change. But I am scared, but I am also trying a little each day._________________________________________________________________Use your PC to make calls at very low rates https://voiceoam.pcs.v2s.live.com/partnerredirect.aspx

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Replies

November 12, 2006 by Brit

Thank you for being honest about your recovery.

Thank you for putting yourself out there.

Thank you for giving hope.

Just thank you.

November 15, 2006 by Terri

Being someone who after 14 years still struggles with anorexia I found your story to be a true inspiration. Stay strong.
Terri

November 16, 2006 by Aimee

Shelly, I know that your still struggling...I was just curious if your going to go back into a treatment center? I know that Alisa went back and it helped....what's your next step?

November 16, 2006 by shelly Guillory

I am still struggling, but i do not plan on going back to a residential treatment center. My insurance will not allow it. I cant afford to pay out of pocket again like i did when i went to Renfrew. Right now, i am working with a great outpatient team here in Salt lake. I just need the courage to keep going and keep fighting. I am doing a little better each day. If I could go back to Renfrew I definately would. But i have to make do with the resourses I can afford right now.

November 16, 2006 by Renee

Shelley,

I began my long road (15 years ill) to recovery at Renfrew almost 14 years ago. I am now 37 years old and fully recovered form severe anorexia and bulimia to the point of near death on many occassions. I commend your honesty and your courage and will keep you and all the women who struggle in my prayers as you continue to seek and find health, healing and happiness in your journey every day. I know how hard it is to battle this monster. The hopeful part is that you can live without it and I wish that for you. I had a permanent central line for more than a year at one point in my story. I want you to know that here I am multiple residential programs,cardiac units and medical admissions too numerous to count later I am in full recovery now for a little over 10 years. and I am now a licnsed therapist treating eating disorders exclusively. working in private practice and residential care. I say all of this because every where I went they said I was "too sick or too entrneched" to get better or that if I did survive I'd always struggle. I guess I want to let you and others know that life free from this is possible. Thank you for sharing your journey. I hope that more will be learned through your bravery and that true recovery will be the outcome we begin to see. You deserve a life that is truly yours.

Gently with gratitude,
Renee

November 17, 2006 by shelly

First, I just want to thank everyone for their comments and feedback. All this positive support makes recovery seem a lot less acarier and a little bit easier to manage. Two ccomments.

Renee-i think it is absolutely awesome that you work with ED patients. that takes a lot of courage and strength. I bet you can really relate to your patients and empathize with their struggles and situations. you have shown me that recovery really is possible.

Brit-i really hope you go into treatment at the beginning of the year. It take a lot of courage to do so. just remember you are more than your ED and you can totally get through this. Treatment is hard but I have faith that anyone can make it through and come out better on the other side. Good luck.

November 17, 2006 by Mike

Shelly, just have hope! I know it is hard, but just stay safe and remember that whenever you have a bad day, you have more of an opportunity to make the next day better. My name is Mike and I got out of the hospital for Anorexia but now I struggle with bulimia. It is really hard and I'm also in outpatient (In White Plains, I don't know if you met anyone there who went there) but I just kind of go with the flow. Do not feel ashamed of the tube or anything, we all had it at some point (including me). Just do your best and that's all you can do. You can e-mail me at MSQ3881@aol.com if you ever want to talk. From Mike

November 18, 2006 by RecoverED

I wanted to say that I think you all are very, very brave to share such an intimate part of your life with the world, for the greater good..

My story was recently published in a book, even now being recoverED I seriously don't think I would have the bravery to put *ME* and my face to such a dark part of my life ... I applaud all of you !!

Best of luck !

November 19, 2006 by jenny4

Shelly, you guys helped me admit I had a problem. I go into treatment next week. Thank you.

November 19, 2006 by Rachel

To the grils in the Documentary-

I was floored when so many of you were asked to leave and prevented from further care for insurance reasons. Our country can do much better. None of us can receive proper care with insurance continually cutting us off. It was evident that when the insurance stopped, the patients began to spiral.

Your stories haunted me. Still, I admire your persistence, the way you were able to still laugh, and your bravery.

I worry about Polly, too. She was a fierce, independent woman- one whom I feel was treated unfairly by the staff. She reminded me of Angelina Jolie in Girl Interrupted!! And Brittany- God! She broke my heart. I hope she is doing better. Our country cannot let someone like her suffer so much and refuse help. It's immoral!!

I hope that you all have outcomes that are happy and we see you all on Oprah in a year. Our prayers are with you.
Rachel

November 20, 2006 by Danielle

Shelly,
I just wanted to say to you and the other ladies in the documentary, how brave I think you are. It took a lot of courage to share your lives with everyone, allowing others to see what pain you experience. You also give others hope to get through the day and to seek help.
I wish you the very best in your road to health. Please, never forget that you have an army of a support group out here, should you ever need it.
Danielle

November 21, 2006 by emily

good luck, shelly. you have a beautiful smile. show it to the world--including yourself.

November 21, 2006 by Sondra

Shelly,

I am 23, and my sister who is 20 has been suffering from anorexia and bulimia for quite some time. I almost got chills watching your story, because you remind me so much of her. She too admitted herself while she was working to become a nurse, and you look so much alike. Although we are not twins (as you and your sister are), I could definately identify with the struggles you faced as siblings. My sister has also been in and out of Renfro (Philadephia), and watching "Thin" was somewhat a form of therapy to me...to know that we aren't the only family struggling to cope with this terrible disease.

"Thank You" for being so brave and selfless by allowing this exposure of something so personal. I also wanted to tell you that your sister loves the hell out of you. Including her in as much as you can about your treatment and your well being is important. It took a while for my sister to open up to me (and its still gradually getting better), but forever i thought that my sister hated me. I felt that she wouldn't talk to me because she thought I would look down on her. She didn't realize that every single day i was dealing with my own anxiety, wondering how she was, blaming myself, or wondering if i could ever help.

I wish you the best...you are beautiful!

November 24, 2006 by Alex

Shelley -
I know other people here have said much the same thing, but I too just wanted to say thanks. I really, really appreciate your bravery in being filmed and showing society what it's like. I don't know what to say - I guess I'm still stunned at how much your experiences reflect what I went through. I live in Sydney, Australia and I can't quite believe how similar the whole thing is over there - all the insurance issues, societal pressures and the lack of understanding, the general vibe of the ward...I could go on an on. It's so great that you could go on film and tell it like it is. Like you and so many others, I lost hope completely on a number of occasions, struggling with anxiety and depression, growing increasingly frustrated with the endless cycle of therapists, meds, tubes, controlling 'regimes', inconsistent staff, interruptions to my life (despite its low quality), etc and I think this film really brought out some of those issues and will help in educating people and spreading understanding. It's been 18 months since i was last an inpatient, and while everyone just assumes that its all plain sailing, it most definately isn't (as you have shown) and I'm so thankful that you and the other girls were so open and, as I said before, could tell it like it is. To show everyone just how hard it is every step of the way, and highlight some of the shortcomings of the whole system. You have made such a good contribution to the field and I just want to say good luck with your recovery. Well done for getting to where you are now and making it through all you went through.
Take care and all the best,
Alex

November 26, 2006 by Catherine

Thank you, Shelly. I was actually wondering how you were doing after the film because I was rooting for you while watching it....still am in fact. I hope that you continue your recovery.
I am 20 years old and recovering from bulimia, so this film definately hit home for me. I have never been in residential treatment, so I must admit that I was a bit envious of all of the support that all of you were able to receive (but only a little because it looked terribly difficult as well.) I began therapy when I was 18 (after having the behaviors since I was 15) and it took up until about 6 months ago for it to start sinking in. It's harder now that I live alone, many miles away from where I grew up, but I'm trying.
If I may ask....was it an effort to get your family's support? Did they find out about the eating disorder or did you tell them? My parents ignored it (and continue to) even after a suicide attempt.

Good luck....you're such a beautiful soul.
~Catherine

November 26, 2006 by Debra

To The Brave Young Women in the Film,

My daughter Nicole passed away 1 year later returining from Renfrew. Seeing this film brought back so many memories of her treatment. I was there...I pray for all of you and your recovery, my daughter was taken by this demon and devil. She left her family who loved her more than life itself. She now has a 5 1/2 year daughter that is as precious as she was. I pray for her as well. Thank you so much for being in this film and exposing yourself for what this disease really is...NOT about the food.

Shelly, you look so much like my daughter did. You are all beautiful young women and I hope GOD watches over all of you. Life is too short, be strong and know you are loved.

A SAD MOM

November 27, 2006 by Michele

Shelly,
There was one particular aspect of your story that struck home for me. (My family and friends all call me Shelly.) There was one part of the film where you were talking about your fear of weighing 100 lbs. or above...that you couldn't weigh the same as or more than your sister. I think I could relate to that feeling.

I also had a long, long history of eating disorders. Letting go of the eating disorder was made that much harder, because I didn't know what I would be without it. Being thin made me "different" or special in some way, it seemed to me. I see that in you and your struggle to be different from your sister.

I was so afraid of what would be left of me if the eating disorder were gone. Without the eating disorder (and that thing that made me different) would I just fade away? I wouldn't have my "place" anymore, and I didn't know of any other place to be. I was completely unable to picture a life without the eating disorder.

So much of your life has been devoted to the eating disorder...I can certainly understand feeling completely lost and insecure. I think that because of the length of time you had the symptoms, it will take a good bit of time to become who you are.

I hope that your marriage will be a good source of support for you. For me, my boyfriend at the time (now my husband and the father of our 4 children) loved me when I was unable to love myself. He held me up when I couldln't, and perhaps most importantly, he forgave me and loved me despite everything. I learned to care about me because he did.

There is plenty to you that is different from your sister. No matter how much you weigh. No matter how much you weigh, the people close to you will hold that special you close to their hearts.

My heart goes out to you. Keep fighting the good fight.

November 29, 2006 by J

Shelly, I am based in the UK so I have not seen the docu, but I have heard a great deal about it.

I guess what I wanted to say is that you mustn't give up hope -- I know I don't know you, but I believe in your ability to overcome this, and hope that you can find it within yourself to fight for yourself.

I have had my own battles with the ED for many years now, in and out of therapy and have been IP in a unit in England. I have relapsed several times, always wanting to be "thinner" and "sicker"..vowing to give it up once I was "thin enough" .... but I've come to realise that there never is a "thin enough" with the ED.

It has taken a lot of hard work, perseverance and determination, but today, I can say that I am happy. I'm not consumed by the torments and games of the ED, I'm not entrenched in distorted thinking, I'm not counting anything that can be counted.....

I'm living.

I know things may seem shitty, I know when you're so entrenched you become blinded by the ED, I know recovery may not seem like something you want. But please trust me when I say it is worth it. I always thought the ED made me special and unique, and that being thin was the answer to my problems, that it gave me strength and was the only thing in the world that provided me with control. Now I am really taking the time to live and be myself, I have found that I don't need all of that anymore -- I can see it for what it truly is. I am in control by letting myself be who I am.

You are beautiful by being yourself, not by changing everything you are.

Don't waste the person you are trying to become something else.

Don't give up hope -- you can do this.

Never give up!

Much love, J xx

December 05, 2006 by Alicia

I just would like to say that you women who took part in this project are truly brave for allowing people to see the struggles you go throught by having an ED. I can never really understand what its like for you guys cause dont really have that problem. matter afact im the total oppisite, but any ways this doc. opend my eyes . It was so real. I really hope that you can get better.

December 05, 2006 by Alicia

shelly,
I think you and the other women are truly brave for sharing you story in this docu. It was so raw and real. It really opend my eyes to what this illness can be like. I really hope you can fully recover.

January 13, 2007 by Julie

SHELLY, YOU ARE AWESOME. Not only are you beautfiul, but honest, sinceere and strong willed. I loved watching your progress on THIN. I'm sorry to hear that you are still struggling but its good that you are admitting that you are struggling, lying, and manipulating again. Atl least you are aware that you are doing that. Its good that you went back to nursing-- i tooam a nursing student and my own experience with anorexia has driven me to that career. You were one of my favorite characters followed in the film. You seemed to work harder than any of the others on trying to get better, being honest with your therapist and honest with the staff even when someone placed a piece of food in your room and you got blamed for it. Just know that you are an inspiration to many-- both young and older women and men too. God bless you and keep working on recovery. Life is so much better without an ED.

Julie

February 07, 2007 by stacy

Shelly, I just got the DVD and book, and your story in particular moved me so much. I am a recovered anorexic and bulimic, and I've struggled with insurance for years trying to get treatment (I finally did, at the Payne Whitney clinic at New York Hospital, my saviors.) I also struggled for years with intense feelings of inferiority to my brother, even as I asserted myself as the obsessive overachiever of the family. I was hospitalized five times before I got better, and the program that finally helped me was actually intensive outpatient. I spent 18 months in treatment and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. I still am not satisfied with my body, I still wish I could be thinner, but it's not incapacitating anymore. During that year and a half (which, by the way, ended in November; I'm 35 now and I was 13 when my ED started; I suffered for more than 20 years before I got better), I bellydanced in public for the first time, met the love of my life and was able to sustain an emotionally and physically healthy relationship (slowly learning that I actually could stop hating my body long enough to make love and enjoy it), and wrote a book proposal for a memoir of my anorexic adolescence and found an agent. The book proposal went out to editors recently, and I'm doing a reading from it this weekend. I feel immeasurably fortunate and grateful, like at 35 I am finally living a life that is more interesting to me than my ED. I spent far too many years being very sick. There are long periods of my life about which I remember nothing but what I ate/didn't eat/purged, speeding too hard on diet pills to learn anything in school, sitting in my room taking two hours to eat a bowl of green beans while pasting pictures of skinny models into scrapbooks. That is not a life. You are obviously a very intelligent woman, and I hope with all my heart that you find a way to free yourself of this monster ten years earlier than I did. The biggest thing you have to remember, the thing I still tell myself every day, is that anorexia LIES to you and is totally based in fear. Once you find a way to get around that fear, you get sick of being lied to. My deepest love and understanding and best wishes to you, Shelly.

February 08, 2007 by Donna

Stacy, your letter was so incredibly inspiring. I just happened to "stumble" on it and am so glad I did. I don't know how you managed to spend 18 months in treatment (most of us can't do that), but it's wonderful that you could and that your life is now just that...a life. Congratulations on your book, your belly dancing (awesome!), your boyfriend, and whatever else that comes your way. The "excitement" in your life is very evident.

Blessings! --Donna

March 05, 2007 by Abbey

Shelly:
I wanted to say congratulations to you and your husband. I think that having people in our lives that support us through our struggles is one of the biggest part of recovery. Although I am not seriously under weight or what would really be considered anorexic I would say that I have may of the habits associated with. I am bipolar and suffer from anxiety and panic attacks as well as OCD and trichotrillomania. When it rains it pours I like to say with mental illness. I feel your story gives hopes to those who may have lost their own way and it is so important to be able to see that others struggle the same ways and that there is hope and there is life after and that there can be an after. You will reach it someday too! I felt bad that your dad thought Utah was such a bad place to be for your health but there is great support here. All the stars keep coming here for treatment so we must be doing something right! If you ever need a friend here in Salt Lake drop me a line?.I?m just 10 minutes north of downtown.

Did you go to high school here in Utah? You and your sister look so familiar to me.

May 08, 2007 by Laura

I am actually watching THIN right now. I have watched it many times...for some reason I fell compelled to see it over and over. It is a very emotional film and I am astounded by the bravery you and the other women displayed by sharing such raw emotions with others. Obviously you have touched many people.

I really hope that things are better for you now. You so deserve happiness and joy in your life.

Sending love...

Laura

October 06, 2007 by Kasey

Shelley--
I sitting under a salon getting my hair dyed, looking through an old People magazine when I came across an article about eating disorders---and there you were. I about had a heart attack. I was at the Center for Change with you during the spring of 2000. Please contact me. I want to know how things are since your wedding. And I would love to just talk to you.

October 06, 2007 by Karaanne

Shelly,
After watching THIN i felt for you, as well as the others, but i see so much of me in your case, and i was 12 when i got my eating disorder and only truely stopped my last year of college which is funny to me since all the things i feared and hid from and used my disorder to cope with was staring me in the face, but somehow with the love of my boyfriend i made it through and with a couplde laspes here and there consider myself recovered for 2 years, it took me 10 years to let go and i miss all i gave up, it cost me my personality like you said, made me a negative person because no one understood me, not even me, but it was like one day i woke up and i was like i have to take charge, no one has control and we have to embrace that life is a rollercoster and its worth the ride with the ups and downs at the end, so keep holding on to those bars because the ups will start getting longer and the downs wount be so bad anymore, no one can tell you what it will take and i dont belive you will know untill you reach that place but i pray for you that you make it there, to the day when you can look in the mirror and see yourself for who you are and not what you are, and that you can love yourself as your family and friends do, sometimes i think god gies us too much to handle so that when we make it through we can help others and appreciate what we have. Your role is the movie will inspire women and girls for a lifetime and that is a legacy you have but dont let it be your only one. keep working towards recovery because it will be worth it.
sincerly
karaanne

January 07, 2008 by Sharon

Hello,
I felt very sad after watching Thin. Its a great documentary because it portrays the reality of eating disorders. I have not heard of Shelly or the others from the documentary. I hope everyone is well or better. Shelly had an account on myspace, but I believe she deletd it. Alisa has a private account, but for some reason my friend request does not go through. Polly has a a blog.The last I heard was that one of her arms were paralyzed. I have added Britanny Robinson as a friend on myspace.

I feel a sense of connection to the four women, and I would like to thank them personally for their braveness and decision for helping enlight the world exactly what eating disorders are. If any of the ladies read this, please reply. I would just like to hear from you. I felt like I knew you in the movie, but now have lost touch long old friends.
Thanks.

-- Sharon

January 17, 2008 by nat

Dear Shelly,
u r amazing!
really u r! i have just been diagnosed with "anorexic tendencies". honestly, i kno i have a problem, but i'm just not sure if i'm ready for help yet. You and "Thin" have given me so much. You have shown me that i'm not alone and that i'm not the only one. "Thin" provided me with proof that i wasnt completely alone. You are so strong, brave, and beautifully, i couldnt have done what you did! I cannot tell you have much u have given me, and i hope you get the happiness deserve, if it was up to me you'd get a whole freaking rainbow!

much

February 23, 2008 by Diane

Shelly!
It has been SO long since I have actually been able to find a way to reach you. How are you? I think of you all the time and pray for you often. I recall the ED group and the hospital and the opportunity to know you. Are you ok? I know the death of Polly must be way hard and I am so sorry you still struggle so much on a daily basis. I do know a little about that! I just wanted you to know that the times I wasa able to talk with you and get to know you were something I will treasure. You left a huge impact. You have this amazing personality that is unforgettable even amidst all your struggles. I wish so badly that I could take your pain, but PLEASE KNOW that I feel what you experience and I truly understand the reality of the need for these "illnesses" to survive "real" life. I know it is hard to think of a life without any of these negative forces, but I have so much hope for you and I KNOW that YOU are stronger than the demons. I could go on forever, but if you do see this, I just wanted you to know that I still think of you all the time and I love you dearly!
Diane P.

May 17, 2008 by Cathy

Hi Shelly,
Because you were so brave to share your story, I went to Renfrew over Christmas this last December. I could only stay three weeks because my insurance ran out as soon as my weight was no longer dangerously low. After 30+ years of anorxia/bulimia, I'm now very close to being fully recovered. I continue to keep my weight up and work really hard with my therapist twice a week now and a group twice a month. I just want to thank you for being in the movie. I never would have known about Renfrew and maybe I would be dead now.

I love you even though I never met you,
Cathy

August 10, 2008 by Me

I love you Shelley! I miss you!

October 08, 2008 by Renee

I know a lot of people connect with the film and with you, I do. I've battled with diabulimia and anorexia for 15 years and it's so comforting to watch you fight so hard. You may not be cured but you give us all hope that when we do feel we want recovery, we can find it and maybe meet someone like you to help us along when we get there. I hope to get through this, finish school and be a nurse. I'de love to hear how you're doing. We are the same age so we could be BFF's forever ;) ha totally kidding. Thanks for letting us all watch you be your true self.

February 09, 2009 by Nicole

Hi Shelly,
i don't know you as some people seem to... ha.
I saw THIN a while ago, during a time that I was really confused about myself. It was hard to see that because it showed reality and sickness... about something that I strived for. I was 13 (now 14) and every waking moment seemed to be more and more difficult. It was like I needed to focus on something to give my life a meaning. I turned to eating disorders. I didn't have one, but I wanted one. Heck, sometimes I feel like I still do want one. It gives me something to feel, something to focus on. i mean I guess I lived a pretty normal life, but i wanted it to be more then that.

I soon found out that there are a lot of girls out there like me. All of them confused, frustrated and preoccupied with trying to become anorexic... and some of them succeeding.

What would you do? What would you say to the young ones out there that are purposely doing that to themselves?

Thanks,
Nikki

March 07, 2009 by Birgitte

Dear Shelly,
Your documentary has just been shown in Denmark, and I am wondering if you have ever tried having classical homeopathic treatment?
I am a classical homeopath in Denmark who was deeply interested in homeopathy because I suffered for 26 years from a serious asthma, and several allergy-conditions. About 16 years ago, I was in Berlin, and ended up in an emergency room in a Berlin hospital, where I was questioned by a doctor about my life and my allergy for 2 hours (!)- and then given some tiny sugar pills to be dissolved in my mouth. I thought the whole thing was silly and expected nothing from it, but the German doctor said, "They must be behind, in Denmark, if you haven't been to a homeopath yet!"
Well, without believing in it at all, or expecting anything good to happen, 26 years of serious allergies (asthma, eczema, hay fever, etc etc) just slowly disappeared within the next couple of weeks.
That was 16 years ago, and I haven't had any allergies since, nor have I used medication. I only had those 2 treatments.
For the first 2 years after that, I thought the allergies would come back, it was a hard transition becoming healthy -but I finally ended up travelling to England to study and qualify as a classical homeopath,working especially with young people with eating disorders.
I am amazed at the results- and so I am writing to you.
You can look up classical homeopathy on the internet, (look up The Society of Homoeopaths in the U.K, or www.vithoulkas.com ,- or try contacting Dr. Bill Gray in Northern California, he has an excellent website that explains homeopathy.
Homeopathy is a 200 year old natural treatment, which treats the whole person, not just symptoms.
You might also look up the home page of The European Council of Classical Homoeopathy (ECCH), they have a good website, too.
I am amazed at the results I see in my own little clinic in Denmark.
Look it up, do your research- it is a wonderful, gentle treatment, non-aggressive, non-invasive. The homoeopath asks the patient,"What is the matter?" and tries to find a homoeopathic remedy( made of diluted plants or minerals) to treat whatever is "shouting the loudest".
I have truly fallen in love with this gentle but remarkable treatment- which can be combined with medical treatment /medication - and still achieve good results.
It is important to tell you that you must not try to treat yourself with homoeopathy, but seek a well-trained professional, of course, - if you live in California, Dr. Bill Gray would probably be a great choice.
Good luck - and many warm wishes from Denmark!
Birgitte

PS Please do not put my e-mail adress on your website, this is really meant as a personal
letter. Thanks.