Marisa was diagnosed with anorexia when she was 13-years-old. She was hospitalized several times before entering a residential treatment unit in Utah.

"Marisa is sharing her story because she wants people to understand anorexia - that it is a debilitating disorder rooted in control and not vanity... If she could control what she ate and subsequently her weight, then everything would be ok."

Now, at 16, Marisa is at a healthy weight. She and her parents are plaintiffs in a landmark case again Aetna insurance agency, which was sued because of its lack of eating disorder treatment coverage. The company has since agreed to change its policies and reimburse Marisa's parents the money they spent on her treatment. Source: WNBC - New York

Labels: recovery, support, treatment