A fundraiser will be held on Nov. 2 for a local woman's granddaughter who has recently been admitted to a treatment facility for an eating disorder.
Marlene Skeet's 18-year-old granddaughter was admitted to the Westwind Counselling centre in Brandon, Man. on Oct. 15 for treatment of anorexia nervosa, a disorder she was diagnosed with three years ago.
There is no dedicated treatment facility in Alberta for people with eating disorders.
The treatment centre costs $2,200 per week. Skeet said the facility suggests a 90-day treatment program. Fundraiser proceeds will go to help pay for the weekly costs.
Skeet said while she was happy with the treatment her granddaughter received while she was at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary prior to her 18th birthday, she said a subsequent visit to the Foothills Medical Centre on Oct. 1 — where Alberta's lone eating disorder unit for adults exists – was less impressive after her granddaughter was seen by doctors, nurses and psychologists and discharged after 22 hours.
Skeet declined to name her granddaughter for privacy reasons.
Skeet said the family is grateful to Dr. Leoni Kelly, who admitted Skeet's granddaughter to the children's hospital in June 2011, as the family, who lives in Calgary, does not have a family doctor. After seeing Kelly, she was admitted to the hospital the next day, where she spent four months.
“I really think our local doctor has to be praised,” Skeet said. “I really can't say enough about the children's hospital.”
Skeet said most people think eating disorders are about a person's relationship with food, when food is just a symptom of a larger issue.
“We would really like to educate the public. Most people think it's about food, but it really isn't,” she said.
Most people want to get better, Skeet said, but need help to do so. She said it's difficult to watch someone going through that process because many people don't see themselves as ill.
Skeet said since her granddaughter was admitted to the treatment centre, she seems to be doing better and the family is happy with how things are progressing so far.
“This treatment will help her a lot. We're very hopeful,” she said, adding because it's more like a home setting, people are more comfortable while getting treatment. “They have the freedom at the end of the day to go for walks, so it's not like a hospital. It's like a home.”
The Olds First Baptist Church will accept donations for a silent auction during the fundraiser. Skeet can also be contacted at 403-556-3191. A silent auction and musical entertainment will be held on Nov. 2 during the fundraiser at Olds First Baptist Church.
