Hometown Hero: San Ramon woman helps parents of kids with eating disorders

  According to the National Eating Disorders Association, 24 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. Included in this statistic are the various types of disorders, anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating, and EDNOS, all of which are associated with major health risks. An eating disorder doesn't solely affect the singular person who has the disease. Families are constantly riding an emotional roller coaster and walking on eggshells amongst their loved one. An article published in the San Jose Mercury News, titled Hometown Hero: San Ramon woman helps parents of kids with eating disorders, discusses the lack of resources for parents and families. Nancy Clarkson is the mother featured in the article and she is quite honest about the difficulties she had while her daughter, at the age of 14, began suffering from anorexia. In 2007, Nancy attended a NEDA conference and found support through other parents who were experiencing the same situations. Nancy started a support group for parents in November of 2007 and parents talk about a variety of topics including the intense emotions, depression and obsessiveness their child exhibits, as well as the conflict and turmoil which may divide a family. Thankfully, Nancy's daughter is fully recovered and Nancy continues to provide support for the community and paying it forward.

Hannah, intern with Eating Disorder Hope