When Emily Schlehuber first starting purging after meals, she didn't think anything was wrong. She was struggling with low self-esteem, which got worse after she and her boyfriend broke up. She was complimented on her weight loss, and only realized there was a problem when she started vomiting up blood.

In a July 15 article on Coloradan.com, writer Hallie Woods described Schlehuber's journey from disordered eater to pageant winner:

After a year and a half living with the disorder, Schlehuber confided in her father, who helped her seek treatment with a therapist and a nutritionist. She enrolled in a leadership program at Fossell Ridge where she began to realize her self-worth ...

Now 17 and still recovering from the disorder, Schlehuber is reaching out to others who suffer or are at risk of suffering from the same devastating effects of the disease.

In March, Emily was crowned "Miss Teen Colorado" for her work on eating disorder awareness. She not only speaks in junior high health classes but also serves in a consultation role with doctors at a local eating disorder recovery center.

Labels: bulimia, teenagers, overcoming bulimia

Posted By: Aspen/CRC