Issue link: https://kusm-wichita.uberflip.com/i/1510906
13 A key to Greta's recovery is embracing her own agency. "A lot of it has to come from inside," she says. "I think I had an active ED for so many years because, while people can help me through it, I'm the one who eats breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. I have to make the decision to continue to live. It's empowering to know that I did that. People have helped me a lot, but I'm the one who chose to recover. I feel like a brand-new person almost." Stories like Greta's demonstrate that there is hope for those who suer from eating disorders, despite the medical complexity involved in treatment. Ultimately, Hopper says, recovery is possible. "I have seen incredible resilience, strength and hope, and that's what has kept me in the field," she says. with a plan: Now she connects at least every other week with Hopper, her dietitian, or her primary care provider, all of whom are in communication with one another. She also has her weight monitored at a campus clinic. "I also learned to reach out to people" — much easier now that COVID restrictions have eased, Greta says. "It's been a completely dierent experience, being healthy at school," she says. In retrospect, she realizes she was too sick to do anything other than "go through the motions" during the beginning of her college career. "I only get to be a college student once, and I need to have fun," Greta says. "Sitting in my room and thinking about food and weight is the opposite of fun." of people with eating disorders are ages 12 to25. 95% 50% of Americans know someone with an eating disorder. 20% of anorexics die within 20 years of their diagnosis.