By now, many of you will know that at the age of 15 I was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. I was struggling immensely. My eating disorder controlled my every move, my thoughts were slowly killing me and I didn't know how to stop it. As my mental health deteriorated, so did my physical health. My body couldn't handle much more, and I was sectioned under the mental health act and sent to Skye House, an adolescent psychiatric hospital. I was 16, and I have never been more terrified in my whole life.

My life was turned upside down, and in those dark days I truly thought my life was over. I thought there was no way out, that my life was forever going to be a constant cycle of hospital admissions and eating disorder behaviours. I couldn't see a life for myself outside of the bubble anorexia had created. I turned to self-harm to cope with the intense feelings. Anorexia felt safe, and I was terrified of letting go. I didn't know who I was without it. And as years went by and I was in and out of hospital, I still couldn't see what the horrible disorder was doing to me and my loved ones. I lost friends, I missed out on experiences, I was taken out of school - yet I just couldn't stop.

And then I discovered the UK's eating disorder charity: Beat. Beat supports anyone with an eating disorder, their friends and family, as well as professionals working with or worried about an individual in their care.

Beat made me recognise I wasn't alone. They made me realise that there were people who had felt as hopeless as I felt and made it out the other side, alive and happy. They made me see that I had to change. They helped me to view myself as more than my Anorexia.

And then I chose recovery. And every day, I wake up, and I still choose recovery. It's a choice I will continue to make every single day, until hopefully one day I won't need to think about it anymore. One day I will reach the ultimate goal: full recovery.

It's not been easy. In the very early stages, I was constantly relapsing and doubting if recovery was the right choice (hint: recovery is ALWAYS the right choice). But with time, it got easier. I still have my bad days and good days, but one thing is for sure: my hardest days in recovery are still significantly better than my easiest days in the throes of Anorexia.

I now work as an Expert by Experience for Beat. I graduated from my dream degree with first class honours in June 2024, and am now halfway through a master's degree. I work two part-time jobs as a support worker for children with autism. I have a loving girlfriend, an amazing family, and the best friendships.

I am thriving, not just surviving. I am living, not just getting by.

I could never go back to the girl I was before. I will continue to wake up every single day and continue to get better. I will make choices to better myself. I will put my recovery first always. And all that is thanks to Beat.

Beat push for change in eating disorder care. They provide free services to individuals who need it most. Care need isn't based on weight, gender, race, or any other characteristics. Care need is based on providing help to ANYONE who is struggling with an eating disorder. Beat educate the public, offering free advice and support to families, carers, and health services. They pick apart stereotypes and advocate for fair and equal treatment for all ED sufferers. Beat save an unmeasurable number of lives - including my own. I truly believe that without Beat, I wouldn't be here today. And for that I will be eternally grateful.

Please, if you are able, consider donating to this wonderful, life-saving charity.

On the 14th of March I will be running a bottle bingo event at Bridgeness Bowling Club in Bo'ness. I am setting up this page as various people who are unable to attend the event have asked me to do so. I am forever grateful for everyone's support. I will also donate all the money raised at the bottle bingo onto this page once it is complete so we can see the grand total!