OK, so the brie and cheap ham slice loving omnivore is going vegan… for 6 months!! If I can do it, it would be great if you could sponsor me. All proceeds will go to DWED in loving memory of Sian. I will keep you posted on my progress. Wish me luck J….

In Loving Memory of Sian Howarth

As most of you know, my very beautiful friend Miss Sian Howarth passed away on the 27th September 2011 of 'Diabetic Dead in Bed Syndrome'. Sian lived, sleeped and breathed the wonderful charity Diabetics with Eating Disorders (DWED). I swear, we couldn’t go anywhere without her telling random people about the charity. A simple trip to the shops to get a pint of milk would result in her chatting the leg off someone about DWED. Even one normal weekday night spent at home developed into her being on Liverpool’s local radio station spreading the word about diabulimia and the help that is available. She never stopped. 

Sian’s role in DWED was no doubt quite tough and difficult for her at times, and I sometimes questioned her if she was up to what she was doing. As we all know though, her passion for helping young girls in need made her the trooper she was and in many cases, a life saviour. All I would ever hear was positive comments. Sian would express her feelings of all the girls she helped and formed relationships with over the years in such an exciting way. No matter how small or big of a step someone had taken in terms of their road to recovery from their eating disorder, she always expressed an overwhelming state of being very proud; that somehow put those around her in a good mood too.

I could continue to write copious amounts of wonderful things about my very wonderful friend and it is probably possible that I could write a whole novel on the memories we shared. However, let me take a little moment to tell you why Sian was the best to me…. 

We found ourselves becoming close friends almost instantly and before I knew it we were joined at the hip. Thought the same thoughts and finished each other’s sentences. We were soul mates.

Over the next eleven years, we went through thick and thin; sharing many happy times together and some sad ones too. We partied hard, made millions of friends, spent far too much money and in essence, had a ‘bloody ball’! After both realising that life wasn’t one big party we both decided to knuckle down. Sian became a talented primary school teacher and I could tell she was amazing at her job. The following few years saw Sian at probably her worst time but she came out the other end fighting. Although I did know how sick Sian was at this time, I didn’t know that Sian was manipulating her insulin and the reason for why she was so poorly. However, despite that, I loved her even more for finding the strength and courage to come through everything she did. After discovering that Sian was diabulimic, as a non-diabetic, I became intrigued to learn more about this unheard of disorder. The work I watched Sian do for DWED, as well as the love and support she gave me, encouraged me to quit my PhD in Germany and return home to complete a second degree in dietetics, with intent to specialise in diabetes. Sian and I had just started the next chapter of lives together, living with each other in London and ready to cause havoc… again. Upon reflection of the week running up to Sian’s passing, I can honestly say it was the best. I can’t help but think about all of the happy endings we could have shared. 

One happy ending that is possible however, is to enable DWED to carry on Sian's hard work to make it get the recognition it deserves, and ultimately help anyone that is in need of support as a result of being affected by diabulimia. In order to do this though, we need money!... which is my reason for setting up this page. I know everyone is skint and I don't want to guilt or sadden anyone into donating money with the above story, but if you could donate anything, I promise you all proceeds are being put to a well deserved cause.  

Alternatively, you can donate through the DWED website and have a look at all the great things they get up to :)

http://www.diabeticswitheatingdisorders.org.uk/

 Thanks so much.