Abby's Story: Finding Healing and Hope After an Eating Disorder

Finding Hope Through Exceptional Care

When you’re young, life should feel full of endless possibilities. But for Abby, life at 15 felt heavy and uncertain. Anxiety, stress and mounting pressures began to take hold. What started as small changes in her eating habits soon grew into a serious eating disorder that began to overshadow her daily life.

Abby’s story isn’t just about the challenges she faced. It’s about the incredible strength she found within herself and the hope surrounding her when she needed it most. It’s about what happens when a family full of love and determination meet a team of compassionate experts who understand the unique needs of a child navigating a challenging medical condition. With the exceptional care and support of Children’s Eating Disorders Program team, Abby fought one of the most difficult battles of her life.

When Life’s Challenges Feel Too Big

For Abby, signs of an eating disorder were not immediately obvious — it began slowly. She started eating less and avoiding favorite foods. Then came a noticeable fixation on drinking only water. To an outsider, these behaviors might seem minor, but her mom, Laura, knew something wasn’t right.

“I just kind of noticed a couple things when she first started, like she wouldn’t finish something or suddenly didn’t like something that was her favorite thing, or didn’t want to drink anything but water,” Laura said.

Abby didn’t see it that way at the time.

“When you have an eating disorder, it’s not something you think about like you need help. It’s usually someone else from the outside who cares about you and who knows you, where they see your change in behavior,” she shared.

Laura reached out for help when she couldn’t ignore the warning signs any longer. That decision marked the beginning of Abby’s recovery and brought her family to the Eating Disorders Program at Children’s.

Comprehensive and Compassionate Care

Starting the Eating Disorders Program was an emotional moment for Abby and Laura. They were nervous, hopeful and looking for answers. Almost immediately, those nerves began to ease.

“I knew she was in the right place right away because they were welcoming, and they spoke her language. They talked to her and then, at the same point in time, they have someone talking to me and there’s also a plan for us parents,” Laura explained.

The care Abby received was comprehensive and compassionate, designed specifically for her needs. Her multidisciplinary team worked closely together, combining therapy, group sessions and recreational activities to develop a plan to address her eating disorder and support her mental health.

Abby found comfort in creative therapies through her personalized program. “I liked the art. I thought it was fun and creative,” she said. “I felt relaxed, and I felt that was the time I could just be myself and forget that I had an eating disorder. I made friends there as well, so I think those two things were probably my favorite part.”

Cindy Orsi, a recreational therapist on Abby's care team, added, “For patients, they see there are adults that care, and they’re not my parents or my family but they’re listening to me, and they really want to help me. And then there’s serious work when you go do your therapy. It’s kind of a family. It really is.”

The team at Children’s approaches behavioral health with a forward-thinking mindset. Knowing every child’s recovery journey is unique means building holistic support systems for patients and their families. The goal is to create an environment where progress feels possible — even on the hard days.

Overcoming Challenges & Breaking the Stigma

Healing from an eating disorder is a process filled with challenges, progress and the occasional setback. During her first year in recovery, Abby stayed silent. However, after her access to life-changing treatment and with support from her family and care team, she became a voice for behavioral health and wellness through school projects and extracurricular activities.

"I would say it’s easy now because I feel more comfortable in my recovery,” Abby said. “I feel like I’ve gone a long way through that process and it’s not something that controls my life. I don’t think I should be defined by just my eating disorder. I’m so much more than just that. I wanted to make an impact, and I wanted to help others that were like me, even if it isn’t eating disorders, even if it’s mental health."

Abby is using her personal experiences to advocate and make a lasting impact for others.

“It could be anything they’re struggling with, whether it be anxiety or depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or an eating disorder. Her being that person that wasn't afraid to say, 'I went through this' — that's huge, because I think there's such a stigma,” Cindy said. “Abby speaking up, understanding it and not being afraid — she’s just courageous. Seeing that light come back into her is beautiful."

The Future of Behavioral Health at Children’s

Abby’s story reflects the resilience many young people show when faced with difficult obstacles. It’s a reminder recovery is possible with the right care and support.

At Children’s, our mission goes beyond treating conditions. It’s about delivering care that transforms lives, helping children and their families look forward to brighter days ahead.

The Behavioral Health & Wellness Center, stands at the forefront of this effort. This state-of-the-art facility will create a nurturing environment where children and teens like Abby can focus on recovery while receiving innovative and personalized care.

From addressing eating disorders to offering mental health resources for a wide range of challenges, the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center is designed to make children feel seen, heard and supported—not just as patients but as individuals with unique strengths and stories.

“There’s hope and there’s healing. It took a long time, but you get there — just slowly and one step at a time,” Abby’s mom, Laura, said.

If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder or a mental health challenge, visit Children’s Behavioral Health to find support, resources and a team ready to support you every step of the way.