Hi! Noelle claims her ramblings are nonsensical but it is 11:39pm and I should really be sleeping, so I doubt I'm going to make any sense at all. Probably I will read this in the morning and scratch my head in wonderment. Is wonderment even a word? Well it is now.

Tomorrow I am Taking Action and spreading youth week posters all over ANU. I figure I'll plaster them over toilet doors or something - that way people sit down and Bam! I have a captive audience.

Attending the Eating Disorder Program day program today really impressed on me how badly we need more services in Canberra/Queanbeyan - even the staff members admit that at the moment the program is little use. I find it to be little more than babysitting. The staff (well most of them) are all wanting to help and have the right attitude but they are just so lacking in resources and inspiration. Staff members say they would like to provide a 5-day a week program if they had the money for more staff, but I don't think that would be worth anyone's while unless they create a program that actually workds. There are TWO of us in the program at the moment. If it were working, more people would be being referred.

I really should go to sleep now. Wait for the seroquel to kick in........(any time now)


Anyway, since Noelle posted a photo of herself, here is me looking cross-eyed at the mirror:

Radio

Well, Katy was going to update tonight, but it doesn't look as if she's gotten around to it - so to keep this place interesting, I will update on her behalf (and she can update more later!)

Today I talked to 106.3 about appearing on their breakfast show - they're going to get back to me. I also talked to the ABC about being interviewed on their afternoon show. Both producers seemed really nice and genuinely interested about raising awareness about this illness which is GREAT! We need more energy around awareness. It's really cool, but also kind of scary!!! We'll probably be doing the Mix 106.3 breakfast show on Thursday morning - which means we're going to have to get up at stupid-o'clock to get to the studio by 5:30am.

We're also going to have a feature done on us in the Canberra Times. We have that interview on Wednesday. I'm not sure what day it will be published. We're going to try and get pictures of when we do all of this so we can keep readers entertained! ;)

Today I decorated Civic (bus interchange and around near Oporto) with posters for our Youth Week Events, so when you get a chance (and you live in Canberra) check it out! It was quite amusing, it was windy, I was by myself...sticky tape and paper doesn't go well when there's a wind blowing them together. Mass frustration.

Everything's really getting underway!!! It's quite surreal really, but amazing. I am so honored to be meeting such amazing people on this journey - and I am so honored to be working with Katy and Hannah, who have just as much passion as I do around this issue.

This is a picutre of Katy and I right before the forum. We were so hyped up on nerves and excitement! I think Jan was doing a phone interview just behind where the camera is. haha. It was pouring with rain and I forgot that I was wearing sunnies. Oopsies.

When Katy and Hannah get around to it, they will introduce themselves, but for now, I am going to talk about MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

That's me. Looking thoughtful and planning our next media escapades. I belive that was taken about 3 mintues before earth hour. But I was too scared to turn the lights out totally...I was home alone and it was dark and I couldn't find the candles. I enjoy appearing thoughtful and intelligent. Haha.

I should also go to bed as I have a long day tomorrow :) Hopefully Katy or Hannah will update soon so you don't have to listen to only my nonsensicle rantings!

First Entry!!!

So, today Kat and I decided on a whim to make a blog! How exciting. Now people can follow our weird and whacky travels. We're three girls, with a complete and utter passion to make a difference. All of us have struggled with eating disorders, and all three of us are trying to improve services for those who do struggle with eating disorders in Canberra.
First, I should introduce you to all of us:

Noelle (me):

I am 18, have had bulimia and ED-NOS for 6 years (yes, you did the maths right, since I was 12 years old). I have a dog called Matilda who is a mini-foxi x teacup chihuahua with stunted growth (she's tiiiiiiiny). I also love to play my younger brothers guitar hero and I really SUCK at it...but I would never admit that to him.
I fly to Melbourne for treatment of my eating disorder - becuase the services in Canberra simply are not. I consider myself in recovery, and should be leaving treatment soon - but this doesn't mean that I'm any less passionate about this cause, in fact, I want there to be support services avaliable for the duration of illness to everyone who struggles with an eating disorder in Canberra.

Kat:

Kat is 18 and a survivor of Anorexia Nervosa. She has a very cute cat called Toby. At the age of 16, Kat was told that she wouldn't survive her illness. Her story is remarkable, as she has survived the odds and is still with us (fighting) today!

Hannah:


Hannah has struggled with Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia and ED-NOS for the past 5 years. She is 20 and after many hospitalizations as a direct result of her eating disorder, has decided to make a stand and fight for change.

As for the work we do...we recently held a forum, which was hosted by Jacqui Burke MLA at the Legistlative Assembly called "Eating Disorders - Dispelling The Myths".

From L-R -> Cate Clark (Mental Health Nurse, Eating Disorders Specialist and presenter), Kathryn Scott, Hannah McAlister, Noelle Graham, Jacqui Burke MLA, Jan Clarke (Psychologist, CEO of The Bronte Foundation and International Eating Disorders Advocate).

Keep your eyes peeled becuase there will be a feature of us in The Canberra Times in the following weeks!!! :)

Ciao for now!

Noelle xoxo.