WELCOME HOME TRANSCRIPTION
Barbara: Hi everyone, and welcome to the special edition of Welcome Home. I'm so glad you joined us today, and I know this show is going to be a blessing to you, and here's why. We decided to look back over the last months of Welcome Home shows and choose some of the incredible interviews that we've done on life-changing stories and relevant topics that help us share Christ in compelling ways. We put together, just for you, this unique look back at a show that might just have saved a life or two. In fact, as I recently spoke to Allison Walsh, she said just that. "Barbara, airing that program has probably saved lives."
You see, Allison told me that, there at Recovery Village, they have received multiple phone calls from people in our community who have recognized their need to get help, and they're taking that first positive step in reaching out for recovery from their addiction. We wanted to give you another chance to watch a program that definitely has eternal value. Here's our story with, completely recovered from her own debilitating eating disorder, now champion for those suffering from similar addictions, Allison Walsh.
Hi, everyone. I'm here with Allison Kreiger Walsh from Recovery Village. In addition to that, we've been talking about eating disorders. Before that, Allison, I want to remind everybody, Allison is a former Miss Florida from 2006. Eating disorders was a part of your platform. That's why you're really here doing what you're doing at Recovery Village. Right?
Allison: Absolutely. It is.
Barbara: Yeah. Let's tell everybody about what's coming up in June.
Allison: Oh my goodness. We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Miss Florida pageant.
Barbara: Isn't that amazing?
Allison: Oh my gosh.
Barbara: We have a lot of formers coming back. Right?
Allison: We do. I think we're going to have around at least 30 of us back.
Barbara: That's great.
Allison: To be together with our sisters ... We call ourselves the forevers, not formers.
Barbara: Forevers, I like that.
Allison: We'll all be together. We've got tons of events. We've got the talent show. We've got all kinds of festivities.
Barbara: You were a twirler. I remember you were a twirler, but you're going to actually be doing that?
Allison: Oh my goodness. We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Miss Florida pageant.
Barbara: Isn't that amazing?
Allison: Oh my gosh.
Barbara: We have a lot of formers coming back. Right?
Allison: We do. I think we're going to have around at least 30 of us back.
Barbara: That's great.
Allison: To be together with our sisters ... We call ourselves the forevers, not formers.
Barbara: Forevers, I like that.
Allison: We'll all be together. We've got tons of events. We've got the talent show. We've got all kinds of festivities.
Barbara: You were a twirler. I remember you were a twirler, but you're going to actually be doing that?
Allison: It did.
Barbara: Tell us about that, Allison.
Allison: I struggled with bulimia and anorexia while I was in high school. I had a very difficult battle for about 3 and a half years, and once I got the help that I needed, I just was so grateful to have a second chance at life. Just felt very compelled, almost immediately after receiving the help that I needed, that I could do something more. I could be a voice for those that are afraid to speak or don't know where to turn. It was right after I got to the University of Florida, I walked on campus and I realized that there were no resources for those that are struggling or those that were in recovery. I started a student organization there, and then that organization became my platform. It's helping other people lead style 501C3 non-profit organization, which we focus the prevention and awareness, education and advocacy for treatment for eating disorders. That's been almost 14 years ago now, that I started that, but that was my platform throughout my year of service. I'm involved with many other organizations as well.
Barbara: Well, in particular, Recovery Village.
Allison: Yes.
Barbara: Tell us about that, and then I want our viewers to see a quick video, but tell us a little bit about what that is.
Allison: The Recovery Village is a full continuum of care treatment facility that's located about 45 minutes outside of Orlando. Part of the
patient population that we treat are those struggling with eating disorders, which of course means the absolute world to me. The other portion of the patient population are struggling with addiction. It's something that affects millions and millions and millions of people every year. I am very blessed, very honored, to work at Recovery Village and to be able to offer these services to those that need them.
Barbara: Allison is vice president of business development and branding at Recovery Village. I want you to watch with us, just for a moment, this video so that you get a better idea of what Recovery Village is all about. Watch with us, and then we'll be right back with Allison.
Video: Hi. I'm Allison Walsh, a member of the team here at The Recovery Village, but most importantly, I'm in recovery. I understand the hurt, the pain, the hopelessness that you might be feeling right now. We truly understand your frustration, and that's why I believe in The Recovery Village. Whether you're struggling with substance abuse, alcoholism, addiction, or an eating disorder, we're here to help. I'm living proof that you can truly take control.
We're able to help with our patient's challenging issues every day, and our highly trained staff is here to help you. Substance abuse, addiction, alcoholism, and eating disorders: we are ready. The Recovery Village is accredited by the Joint Commission and is a premier private detox and residential treatment facility offering a full continuum of care. Luxurious facilities and amenities include our gym, swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts. Our patients participate in evidence-based treatment, and also enjoy recreational equine, yoga, and massage therapy.
We are here to help. We have a 24/7 chauffeur pick up service, an easy admissions process, and we accept most insurance policies. Call us today at 888-REHAB-NOW, or visit us online at therecoveryvillage.com. You can truly live a better life through advanced therapy.
Barbara: If there's someone in your life who is struggling with an eating disorder or some kind of an addiction, Recovery Village is a place that we want you to really consider and to go to that website to learn more about that. Also, Allison, you talked about in the video and I want you to talk about the full continuum of care that they offer there. What all is there for people?
Allison: Well, what I love about Recovery Village is that it's 67,000 square feet, all under one roof. That makes us unique that all treatment's happening underneath one roof. So many different treatment facilities, patients live in housing and they're bused in for treatment. We're all under the same roof. We've got anything from detox, acute medical detox, to inpatient stabilization for eating disorders, residential care, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and then we even have extended care housing. For our patients that probably shouldn't return back to their former environment, they can stay with us for a longer period of time.
Barbara: How long would somebody ...
Allison: Typically, in-house they are staying between 30 and 60 days, but then if they are staying in our extended care housing, they can
stay with us 6 months, 9 months, a year. That's off-site, that housing is. That's really after they've completed all of their treatment. It's just extra support.
Barbara: Allison, I've heard you say that you are recovered.
Allison: Yes.
Barbara: You are not in recovery. You have recovered. How do you determine the difference between someone who ... How do you know?
Allison: I think when I became just so comfortable in my own skin and wasn't having any type of eating disorder behaviors or thoughts, could go throughout my days for long extended periods of time with no issues. That's when I felt comfortable about referring to myself as being recovered. Recovery is a great place too, though. Many years I spent in recovery. Knowing that I am in a really strong place and that I've got my tools if I ever need them ... I always say, "You got to put your tools in your toolbox and make sure that you're strong in recovery." I've got them there if I ever need them.
Barbara: What are your tools?
Allison: Support.
Barbara: Right.
Allison: Knowing who to call, when to call, how to find help, knowing that I've got people to lean on, that I need to always take care of myself. I think that's something that, as my life has continued to get busier and crazier and being a mom and wife and all of these things, too, on top of a career and everything, it's really important that you take the time to take care of yourself. That was something that I had to learn how to do because I was running on 18 cylinders. I was always just, "Go, go, go, go, go." I would just have to take a step back and say, "You know what? I need to take care of me."
Barbara: Now, Allison, you were bulimic and anorexic?
Allison: Yes.
Barbara: Tell us about your struggles.
Allison: I was. With bulimia, it was something that started very innocently. I was an athlete and I had come home from the gym one day, had had a horrible performance in the gym, practicing, training. I got very worked up and I got sick, and at that moment something was triggered. For whatever reason, I felt better that day.
Barbara: Do other people say that? Because I never really heard that.
Allison: Yeah. They do.
Barbara: You feel better.
Allison: I just kind of felt better. I felt like that whole issue of the day was, it was gone.
Barbara: You just got rid of it.
Allison: I got rid of it, yeah. That was something that, over the first few months, maybe once a week I would do it. Then it got to be once a day. Then it got to be 10 times a day. It was completely consuming my life. That was for several years. Towards the end of my struggle is when anorexia really kind of crept into the mix. I was terrified of my eating disorder at that point and was pretty sure I was going to die. I was in and out of the emergency room. I was having issues with potassium. What people don't realize is when you're doing that to your body, you literally are putting yourself at risk for a heart attack every time. I was having these struggles. I remember passing out at school one day, being taken away in the ambulance. I mean, the horrible things that I was going through.
Barbara: Did your friends know at school?
Allison: No.
Barbara: Nobody knew why?
Allison: No. Nobody knew why. There was a gentleman, who was a very dear friend of mine, who's sister had gone through what I had gone through, and he identified with some of my behaviors. Going to the bathroom immediately following a meal. Consuming excessive amounts. He noticed that. Certainly once anorexia crept into the mix, that one was much more easily identifiable, because of the self-starvation, the rapid weight loss. I had lost half the hair on my head. My eyes were constantly bloodshot from binging and purging. I had just ...
Barbara: What about your teeth? Doesn't it corrode your teeth?
Allison: Oh my gosh. I had 9 teeth that needed some additional love after that. It was awful. It was definitely a low point in my life, but finding the right help and committing to it ... Because it's hard. It's hard work getting better, but I wanted that so badly for my life. I wanted to get well. I wanted to be able to go away to school. I had so many dreams and aspirations and really, once my mind was thinking clearly again ... because really, I was struggling. I wasn't having clear thoughts and I was making poor decisions. Once I was able to get clarity back and really focus on this wonderful gift of life and really focus on taking care of myself, everything else fell back in line.
Barbara: Allison, talk us through some of the things that you did to make yourself better. What are some of those things? I know you said support, but what else?
Allison: Treatment is necessary. Whether that means that somebody is getting outpatient treatment, or that means that they need to go into a residential program, that might be the necessary step. That's what I'm doing out at Recovery Village and all of the properties that we're opening up. That is a higher level of care. So many times, people need to be removed from people, places, and things in order to really focus on themselves and get better. Being able to have great care for an extended period of time is so important, and committing to it. It's not just you in for 30 days and you come out and you're good. You've been struggling with this for year. So many people that we're helping have been struggling for a large portion of their life. It's making sure that not only did they get that higher level of care, but now they're also taking care of themselves on a daily and weekly basis.
Barbara: You know, I want to talk about what the parents and the people in their household have to do to, not only see the signs, but to also know what to do. If it were me, Allison, truthfully, and I had a beautiful daughter like you, who was strong, I'd say, "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. You're going to be okay. You're strong. You can do this." I would be totally in denial, and that's what I want to talk about when we get back. We have a break that we need to take viewers. As soon as we get back, we're going to be talking more with Allison about eating disorders and what you can do as a mom, a dad, a friend, a grandparent to make sure that there's no denial in there, that you can get that person help. We'll be right back.
I'm talking today to Allison Kreiger Walsh. She is vice president of human development and branding at Recovery Village, and we've been talking about eating disorders. I promised Allison and our viewers that when we came back from our break, we'd talk about parents like me, and grandparents, who probably would be in denial over somebody having a beautiful daughter who appeared to be very strong, athletic, had it all together, and yet you couldn't pull yourself up by the bootstraps.
Allison: Right. Exactly. Even the first time that I went to my parents, they were very much in denial of what I was going through. I said, "Mom and Dad, I can't keep going at this rate. This is what I'm doing." They said, "Well, Allison, you've acknowledged the problem. That's half the battle. You're going to be fine."
Barbara: Right.
Allison: At that point, I sunk even deeper because here I just made myself so vulnerable, was so honest, came out and shard what I was
going through, and then all of sudden, that wasn't acknowledged. Basically, 3 months went by, I continued to get even more sick, at that point in time, and it was finally saying, "If you don't call the doctor, I'm going to because I'm going to die." That was the reality of the point. It was that.
Barbara: How did you know? How did you know that it was that bad? I didn't realize that people died from anorexia, really.
Allison: Yes. I was passing out every night. I would completely black out. I was being taken to the hospital. I had several instances where that occurred. It just got progressively worse and I was struggling. Another issue with eating disorders, or any other illness, is that there's probably something else going on. There's a co-occurring issue. I struggled with anxiety and depression. That was the underlying root of all of this that just really hadn't come to the surface yet. I was miserable. I was absolutely miserable. Here I was, 17 years old at that point, with a huge future in front of me, but I had to get better first.
Barbara: What got you to a point of you've recovered, you got okay ... I guess you were okay by the time you entered the Miss Florida pageant. Were you okay by then?
Allison: Yes, I was. It was really important for me to be in a healthy place, because how could I possibly be out there talking about prevention and awareness of eating disorders if I wasn't taking care of myself? By the time I started competing, I was in recovery and helping others. It started as little awareness campaigns on my college campus and has grown into something much grander than that now.
Barbara: Allison, is it true that people like you ... I would call you a Type A personality.
Allison: Oh, yes.
Barbara: I know I'm one. My 2 daughters are capital A as well, and they're driven and their ambitious and they want to do well and they want to do things with a perfect ... Is that something that is a factor in someone that suffers from this?
Allison: Yes, it very much would be. I was very textbook as far as what you would look for. I think that when you're constantly striving for perfection or to be the best, sometimes it goes a little to far. Then your outlet becomes something not as productive.
Barbara: Right. What do we need to tell to the moms out there, and grandmothers and granddads, fathers, and everybody, brothers, sisters, anybody in the household, if you see that there's a possible problem with someone, with an eating disorder, rather than being in denial like I would probably be, what do we do? What do we [crosstalk 00:16:24]?
Allison: First of all, reach out to them and talk to them. It probably won't be the most pleasant conversation, but be very empathetic, be very patient, be very kind, and listen. Chances are, if you're noticing it, it's probably been going on a lot longer than what you realize. Being that patient person in their life and understand and not approaching it with judgement is so important, because for those that haven't struggled, it's hard to understand why somebody would do this or why they're going through this. Just listening and ....
Barbara: Well, one thing that I heard from you today, that I'm not sure that I would of acknowledged, is that you used the term mental illness. We don't want to acknowledge that anything is a mental illness.
Allison: There's such a stigma.
Barbara: There is still such a stigma. It is preventable, would you say, and it is curable?
Allison: I do think it's curable and I do think, with the proper prevention techniques, you can prevent somebody from struggling. It is the leading cause of death among all mental illnesses. One of the quotes that I say on a daily basis is that genetics load the gun, society pulls the trigger. If somebody is genetically predisposed to these illnesses, you have to be even more aware. There wasn't a lineage in my family history of those struggling, so for my parents, it was shocking that I was going through this. For those that have struggled, or have struggled with any other type of mental illness, it's very important that you keep your eyes wide open when it comes to those loved ones.
Barbara: Severing relations ... I would be, as a mom, I would be so afraid to say too much because I would not want to damage that relationship. Did you and your mom have some real struggles at some point?
Allison: Oh my gosh, yes.
Barbara: You're like, "Yes, we did."
Allison: My grandmother was my rock. When my mom and dad didn't really understand what I was going through ... I remember the night that I called my grandmother and I said, "Will you just please come over here." I just laid in her lap and cried. It was just that I'm struggling, I need help, I need support. That was before my parents really had their eyes open to this, but I had her. I had my friend in high school that was constantly saying, "You have to get better or you're not going to be here. I can't fathom life without you being my in my world." It's being that support for somebody because it's scary. When you're struggling with something like this, you retract. I had a great social circle. I had tons of friends when I was a freshman in high school. The further along in my eating disorder, the less I had. I was so private. I didn't want to be around anybody. I was ashamed of what I was going through. I didn't want anybody to know what I was doing. It was very secretive. I was very alone. The fact that I had my grandmother, I had my friend in high school, I had eventually my parents on my side, that was life changing.
Barbara: Well, I am really hearing some good lessons, Allison, for myself and maybe for our grandmothers and grandfathers that are listening out there. To establish a relationship with a loved one where there is all trust and no judgement, to be able to ... for you to go to your grandmother and to lie on her lap and just be able to put it all out there. It's often hard for a mother and a daughter with that kind of relationship, but a grandparent ... That's a wonderful reminder for all of us viewers who are in a position of influence with someone who might be going through that. Give them that kind of care and concern and non-judgement.
Allison: Exactly. Know that there's resources out there. The National Eating Disorders Association has a hotline, that if you have specific questions, you can reach out to them. I sit on the board for that organization. That where my parents turned to learn and become educated, as far as what I was going through. There's parent, family, and friends network. It's not just for support for those that are struggling. It's support for those that have a loved one that are going through this. Know that those resources exist. There's wonderful organizations throughout the state of Florida. The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness is in south Florida. I've got Hope here, that I can help as well. It's just really about finding the resources, and that's what we do. We bridge the gap. When somebody needs help, we help them find it. Thankfully, insurance is starting to cover this treatment much more, but if there's not, there are scholarship funds available through the Eating Disorder Network of Central Florida as well.
Barbara: No child would be left behind, I'm sure, at Recovery Village or any place where there's a problem.
Allison: No. Oh my gosh. We'll help. We'll do everything we can.
Barbara: Allison, we are all about life changing stories here at Good Life 45. I know, because of the job that you do there at Recovery
Village, and just your experiences with people through your walk as not only Miss Florida, but just as a professional, you have stories that you can share with us today, without giving any names. We love success stories.
Allison: Oh my gosh. I've been so inspired. That's what I love about what I do. In fact, our alumni celebration is this week out at Recovery Village, and I am so excited to hear all the amazing stories. People that have turned their lives around, that have a successful year under their belt, and they're pushing forward, and they've really started their lives over again. I'm constantly inspired. I work with a lot of young women, specifically in recovery. There's a young woman that goes to the University of Central Florida that I am just so impressed with, has created her own organization out there, in successful recovery. Reminds me very much of myself in that I've lived through something, felt compelled, felt so grateful, and is now giving back and helping to change the face of eating disorders, as well as give a voice. That's what it always goes back to is give a voice to those that can't talk about it right now. Take away the shame. Take away the stigma. Talk about what can their life be without their disorder, because so much of the time that becomes their identity. That becomes something that dictates everything that they're doing. Young women like the ones that I work with out at UCF and the individuals that I mentor through Hope ... I've got young women that are on my board now for Hope that have struggled and that are in successful recovery. Again, giving back, holding fundraisers so that we can do more. We can give scholarships and we can do all of these wonderful things.
Barbara: You mention the word mentoring and how important that is to have someone that is going to breath truth and life into your life, and to give you that kind of encouragement. Allison, something you mentioned a few minutes ago was about ... 8 years old. I just remember, when you were eight years old. Please don't tell me that it can start as young as 8 years old.
Allison: It is. It's sadly starting as young as 8. There's a program in central Florida that works with children as young as 8, because that's the need. I've heard it time and time again. I didn't realize I really had an eating disorder until I was in my teens. However, I can date it back to years prior where it started as a diet, or it started as comparing myself to my big sister or my aunt or whoever. It is starting so young and it's also going much older. It's so important to get the help that you need. You don't want to deal with this for the rest of your life. It could possibly take your life, so let's get the help that you need at the time that you need it. Thankfully, there's wonderful options for treatment for all ages, but it's knowing where to turn and it's knowing that this does affect children. This does affect men. This does affect all races, genders, ethnicities. This does not discriminate. It's so important to identify it and get treatment.
Barbara: It's not easy to identify, so we need those tools. If you have even an inkling that someone in your family or circle of influence has a problem, seek help. Right?
Allison: Absolutely. Absolutely. Reach out to your primary care provider, go online, look for the warning signs and symptoms. With anorexia, it's self-starvation, restriction. Bulimia, it's the binge and the purge. Binge eating, it's the excessive consumption of food. Even now, orthorexia is something that's a hot topic, and that's just an obsession with health food to the point of an extreme low.
Barbara: Interesting.
Allison: Always to an extreme, though. Just being aware of those things and identifying them and getting help, seeking help with a nutritionist or a therapist is core.
Barbara: Allison Kreiger Walsh, thank you so much for being here with us today.
Allison: Thank you. Thank you so much.
Barbara: Former Miss Florida from 2006. Honestly, she is such an accomplished woman. We're going to have that website up on the screen
for you. Recovery Village, if you need help. Allison is also an attorney, she's a wife, she's a mom, she's a great friend, she's a vice president of development and branding there at Recovery Village. She is so much, but she struggled. She had an obstacle to overcome. With the Lord's help, if you're struggling, you can do that too. You can be an overcomer, because we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the Lord. We pray for you today that you would be wise as a mother, a grandmother, a viewer, whoever you are today, to seek some help for someone in your circle, and just become more aware. Again, thank you, Allison Kreiger Walsh, for being here with us today.
Allison: Thank you.
Barbara: Now, we're going to go and hear a little bit of inspiration from John Riley, so sit back with us and enjoy. What a wonderful program today. I hope you enjoyed it, and I want to end our time together with a note of hope. The Psalm tells us, in Psalm 103, to forget not His benefits. I believe that means to dwell on the Lord's bountiful blessings, even in the midst of life's storms. We've all been there, or maybe we're even right there now. If you're in the middle of a trial and you feel like those raging waters are about to sweep you away, remember Him my friends. Think of God's goodness, and believe that your joy will come again. We're told in Scripture that those who sew in tears will reap with songs of joy, and that joy will come again. Together, let's claim God's wonderful promises in His word. He does not promise to give us a life without any kind of problems or trials or challenges. In fact, John 16:33 says, "In this world, you will have trouble." That's Jesus talking to us. This world, trouble for us. He also tells us, however, to take heart because He can give us peace, and He promises to get us through those dark valleys, those times of trouble and sorrow. Be encouraged today to stay strong in your faith. Trust in God. We will come through singing songs of joy. That's our God. He is faithful.
That's our note of hope for today. We'll see you next time right back here at Welcome Home. Bye bye, everybody, and God bless you.
You see, Allison told me that, there at Recovery Village, they have received multiple phone calls from people in our community who have recognized their need to get help, and they're taking that first positive step in reaching out for recovery from their addiction. We wanted to give you another chance to watch a program that definitely has eternal value. Here's our story with, completely recovered from her own debilitating eating disorder, now champion for those suffering from similar addictions, Allison Walsh.
Hi, everyone. I'm here with Allison Kreiger Walsh from Recovery Village. In addition to that, we've been talking about eating disorders. Before that, Allison, I want to remind everybody, Allison is a former Miss Florida from 2006. Eating disorders was a part of your platform. That's why you're really here doing what you're doing at Recovery Village. Right?
Allison: Absolutely. It is.
Barbara: Yeah. Let's tell everybody about what's coming up in June.
Allison: Oh my goodness. We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Miss Florida pageant.
Barbara: Isn't that amazing?
Allison: Oh my gosh.
Barbara: We have a lot of formers coming back. Right?
Allison: We do. I think we're going to have around at least 30 of us back.
Barbara: That's great.
Allison: To be together with our sisters ... We call ourselves the forevers, not formers.
Barbara: Forevers, I like that.
Allison: We'll all be together. We've got tons of events. We've got the talent show. We've got all kinds of festivities.
Barbara: You were a twirler. I remember you were a twirler, but you're going to actually be doing that?
Allison: Oh my goodness. We are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Miss Florida pageant.
Barbara: Isn't that amazing?
Allison: Oh my gosh.
Barbara: We have a lot of formers coming back. Right?
Allison: We do. I think we're going to have around at least 30 of us back.
Barbara: That's great.
Allison: To be together with our sisters ... We call ourselves the forevers, not formers.
Barbara: Forevers, I like that.
Allison: We'll all be together. We've got tons of events. We've got the talent show. We've got all kinds of festivities.
Barbara: You were a twirler. I remember you were a twirler, but you're going to actually be doing that?
Allison: It did.
Barbara: Tell us about that, Allison.
Allison: I struggled with bulimia and anorexia while I was in high school. I had a very difficult battle for about 3 and a half years, and once I got the help that I needed, I just was so grateful to have a second chance at life. Just felt very compelled, almost immediately after receiving the help that I needed, that I could do something more. I could be a voice for those that are afraid to speak or don't know where to turn. It was right after I got to the University of Florida, I walked on campus and I realized that there were no resources for those that are struggling or those that were in recovery. I started a student organization there, and then that organization became my platform. It's helping other people lead style 501C3 non-profit organization, which we focus the prevention and awareness, education and advocacy for treatment for eating disorders. That's been almost 14 years ago now, that I started that, but that was my platform throughout my year of service. I'm involved with many other organizations as well.
Barbara: Well, in particular, Recovery Village.
Allison: Yes.
Barbara: Tell us about that, and then I want our viewers to see a quick video, but tell us a little bit about what that is.
Allison: The Recovery Village is a full continuum of care treatment facility that's located about 45 minutes outside of Orlando. Part of the
patient population that we treat are those struggling with eating disorders, which of course means the absolute world to me. The other portion of the patient population are struggling with addiction. It's something that affects millions and millions and millions of people every year. I am very blessed, very honored, to work at Recovery Village and to be able to offer these services to those that need them.
Barbara: Allison is vice president of business development and branding at Recovery Village. I want you to watch with us, just for a moment, this video so that you get a better idea of what Recovery Village is all about. Watch with us, and then we'll be right back with Allison.
Video: Hi. I'm Allison Walsh, a member of the team here at The Recovery Village, but most importantly, I'm in recovery. I understand the hurt, the pain, the hopelessness that you might be feeling right now. We truly understand your frustration, and that's why I believe in The Recovery Village. Whether you're struggling with substance abuse, alcoholism, addiction, or an eating disorder, we're here to help. I'm living proof that you can truly take control.
We're able to help with our patient's challenging issues every day, and our highly trained staff is here to help you. Substance abuse, addiction, alcoholism, and eating disorders: we are ready. The Recovery Village is accredited by the Joint Commission and is a premier private detox and residential treatment facility offering a full continuum of care. Luxurious facilities and amenities include our gym, swimming pool, volleyball and basketball courts. Our patients participate in evidence-based treatment, and also enjoy recreational equine, yoga, and massage therapy.
We are here to help. We have a 24/7 chauffeur pick up service, an easy admissions process, and we accept most insurance policies. Call us today at 888-REHAB-NOW, or visit us online at therecoveryvillage.com. You can truly live a better life through advanced therapy.
Barbara: If there's someone in your life who is struggling with an eating disorder or some kind of an addiction, Recovery Village is a place that we want you to really consider and to go to that website to learn more about that. Also, Allison, you talked about in the video and I want you to talk about the full continuum of care that they offer there. What all is there for people?
Allison: Well, what I love about Recovery Village is that it's 67,000 square feet, all under one roof. That makes us unique that all treatment's happening underneath one roof. So many different treatment facilities, patients live in housing and they're bused in for treatment. We're all under the same roof. We've got anything from detox, acute medical detox, to inpatient stabilization for eating disorders, residential care, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and then we even have extended care housing. For our patients that probably shouldn't return back to their former environment, they can stay with us for a longer period of time.
Barbara: How long would somebody ...
Allison: Typically, in-house they are staying between 30 and 60 days, but then if they are staying in our extended care housing, they can
stay with us 6 months, 9 months, a year. That's off-site, that housing is. That's really after they've completed all of their treatment. It's just extra support.
Barbara: Allison, I've heard you say that you are recovered.
Allison: Yes.
Barbara: You are not in recovery. You have recovered. How do you determine the difference between someone who ... How do you know?
Allison: I think when I became just so comfortable in my own skin and wasn't having any type of eating disorder behaviors or thoughts, could go throughout my days for long extended periods of time with no issues. That's when I felt comfortable about referring to myself as being recovered. Recovery is a great place too, though. Many years I spent in recovery. Knowing that I am in a really strong place and that I've got my tools if I ever need them ... I always say, "You got to put your tools in your toolbox and make sure that you're strong in recovery." I've got them there if I ever need them.
Barbara: What are your tools?
Allison: Support.
Barbara: Right.
Allison: Knowing who to call, when to call, how to find help, knowing that I've got people to lean on, that I need to always take care of myself. I think that's something that, as my life has continued to get busier and crazier and being a mom and wife and all of these things, too, on top of a career and everything, it's really important that you take the time to take care of yourself. That was something that I had to learn how to do because I was running on 18 cylinders. I was always just, "Go, go, go, go, go." I would just have to take a step back and say, "You know what? I need to take care of me."
Barbara: Now, Allison, you were bulimic and anorexic?
Allison: Yes.
Barbara: Tell us about your struggles.
Allison: I was. With bulimia, it was something that started very innocently. I was an athlete and I had come home from the gym one day, had had a horrible performance in the gym, practicing, training. I got very worked up and I got sick, and at that moment something was triggered. For whatever reason, I felt better that day.
Barbara: Do other people say that? Because I never really heard that.
Allison: Yeah. They do.
Barbara: You feel better.
Allison: I just kind of felt better. I felt like that whole issue of the day was, it was gone.
Barbara: You just got rid of it.
Allison: I got rid of it, yeah. That was something that, over the first few months, maybe once a week I would do it. Then it got to be once a day. Then it got to be 10 times a day. It was completely consuming my life. That was for several years. Towards the end of my struggle is when anorexia really kind of crept into the mix. I was terrified of my eating disorder at that point and was pretty sure I was going to die. I was in and out of the emergency room. I was having issues with potassium. What people don't realize is when you're doing that to your body, you literally are putting yourself at risk for a heart attack every time. I was having these struggles. I remember passing out at school one day, being taken away in the ambulance. I mean, the horrible things that I was going through.
Barbara: Did your friends know at school?
Allison: No.
Barbara: Nobody knew why?
Allison: No. Nobody knew why. There was a gentleman, who was a very dear friend of mine, who's sister had gone through what I had gone through, and he identified with some of my behaviors. Going to the bathroom immediately following a meal. Consuming excessive amounts. He noticed that. Certainly once anorexia crept into the mix, that one was much more easily identifiable, because of the self-starvation, the rapid weight loss. I had lost half the hair on my head. My eyes were constantly bloodshot from binging and purging. I had just ...
Barbara: What about your teeth? Doesn't it corrode your teeth?
Allison: Oh my gosh. I had 9 teeth that needed some additional love after that. It was awful. It was definitely a low point in my life, but finding the right help and committing to it ... Because it's hard. It's hard work getting better, but I wanted that so badly for my life. I wanted to get well. I wanted to be able to go away to school. I had so many dreams and aspirations and really, once my mind was thinking clearly again ... because really, I was struggling. I wasn't having clear thoughts and I was making poor decisions. Once I was able to get clarity back and really focus on this wonderful gift of life and really focus on taking care of myself, everything else fell back in line.
Barbara: Allison, talk us through some of the things that you did to make yourself better. What are some of those things? I know you said support, but what else?
Allison: Treatment is necessary. Whether that means that somebody is getting outpatient treatment, or that means that they need to go into a residential program, that might be the necessary step. That's what I'm doing out at Recovery Village and all of the properties that we're opening up. That is a higher level of care. So many times, people need to be removed from people, places, and things in order to really focus on themselves and get better. Being able to have great care for an extended period of time is so important, and committing to it. It's not just you in for 30 days and you come out and you're good. You've been struggling with this for year. So many people that we're helping have been struggling for a large portion of their life. It's making sure that not only did they get that higher level of care, but now they're also taking care of themselves on a daily and weekly basis.
Barbara: You know, I want to talk about what the parents and the people in their household have to do to, not only see the signs, but to also know what to do. If it were me, Allison, truthfully, and I had a beautiful daughter like you, who was strong, I'd say, "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps. You're going to be okay. You're strong. You can do this." I would be totally in denial, and that's what I want to talk about when we get back. We have a break that we need to take viewers. As soon as we get back, we're going to be talking more with Allison about eating disorders and what you can do as a mom, a dad, a friend, a grandparent to make sure that there's no denial in there, that you can get that person help. We'll be right back.
I'm talking today to Allison Kreiger Walsh. She is vice president of human development and branding at Recovery Village, and we've been talking about eating disorders. I promised Allison and our viewers that when we came back from our break, we'd talk about parents like me, and grandparents, who probably would be in denial over somebody having a beautiful daughter who appeared to be very strong, athletic, had it all together, and yet you couldn't pull yourself up by the bootstraps.
Allison: Right. Exactly. Even the first time that I went to my parents, they were very much in denial of what I was going through. I said, "Mom and Dad, I can't keep going at this rate. This is what I'm doing." They said, "Well, Allison, you've acknowledged the problem. That's half the battle. You're going to be fine."
Barbara: Right.
Allison: At that point, I sunk even deeper because here I just made myself so vulnerable, was so honest, came out and shard what I was
going through, and then all of sudden, that wasn't acknowledged. Basically, 3 months went by, I continued to get even more sick, at that point in time, and it was finally saying, "If you don't call the doctor, I'm going to because I'm going to die." That was the reality of the point. It was that.
Barbara: How did you know? How did you know that it was that bad? I didn't realize that people died from anorexia, really.
Allison: Yes. I was passing out every night. I would completely black out. I was being taken to the hospital. I had several instances where that occurred. It just got progressively worse and I was struggling. Another issue with eating disorders, or any other illness, is that there's probably something else going on. There's a co-occurring issue. I struggled with anxiety and depression. That was the underlying root of all of this that just really hadn't come to the surface yet. I was miserable. I was absolutely miserable. Here I was, 17 years old at that point, with a huge future in front of me, but I had to get better first.
Barbara: What got you to a point of you've recovered, you got okay ... I guess you were okay by the time you entered the Miss Florida pageant. Were you okay by then?
Allison: Yes, I was. It was really important for me to be in a healthy place, because how could I possibly be out there talking about prevention and awareness of eating disorders if I wasn't taking care of myself? By the time I started competing, I was in recovery and helping others. It started as little awareness campaigns on my college campus and has grown into something much grander than that now.
Barbara: Allison, is it true that people like you ... I would call you a Type A personality.
Allison: Oh, yes.
Barbara: I know I'm one. My 2 daughters are capital A as well, and they're driven and their ambitious and they want to do well and they want to do things with a perfect ... Is that something that is a factor in someone that suffers from this?
Allison: Yes, it very much would be. I was very textbook as far as what you would look for. I think that when you're constantly striving for perfection or to be the best, sometimes it goes a little to far. Then your outlet becomes something not as productive.
Barbara: Right. What do we need to tell to the moms out there, and grandmothers and granddads, fathers, and everybody, brothers, sisters, anybody in the household, if you see that there's a possible problem with someone, with an eating disorder, rather than being in denial like I would probably be, what do we do? What do we [crosstalk 00:16:24]?
Allison: First of all, reach out to them and talk to them. It probably won't be the most pleasant conversation, but be very empathetic, be very patient, be very kind, and listen. Chances are, if you're noticing it, it's probably been going on a lot longer than what you realize. Being that patient person in their life and understand and not approaching it with judgement is so important, because for those that haven't struggled, it's hard to understand why somebody would do this or why they're going through this. Just listening and ....
Barbara: Well, one thing that I heard from you today, that I'm not sure that I would of acknowledged, is that you used the term mental illness. We don't want to acknowledge that anything is a mental illness.
Allison: There's such a stigma.
Barbara: There is still such a stigma. It is preventable, would you say, and it is curable?
Allison: I do think it's curable and I do think, with the proper prevention techniques, you can prevent somebody from struggling. It is the leading cause of death among all mental illnesses. One of the quotes that I say on a daily basis is that genetics load the gun, society pulls the trigger. If somebody is genetically predisposed to these illnesses, you have to be even more aware. There wasn't a lineage in my family history of those struggling, so for my parents, it was shocking that I was going through this. For those that have struggled, or have struggled with any other type of mental illness, it's very important that you keep your eyes wide open when it comes to those loved ones.
Barbara: Severing relations ... I would be, as a mom, I would be so afraid to say too much because I would not want to damage that relationship. Did you and your mom have some real struggles at some point?
Allison: Oh my gosh, yes.
Barbara: You're like, "Yes, we did."
Allison: My grandmother was my rock. When my mom and dad didn't really understand what I was going through ... I remember the night that I called my grandmother and I said, "Will you just please come over here." I just laid in her lap and cried. It was just that I'm struggling, I need help, I need support. That was before my parents really had their eyes open to this, but I had her. I had my friend in high school that was constantly saying, "You have to get better or you're not going to be here. I can't fathom life without you being my in my world." It's being that support for somebody because it's scary. When you're struggling with something like this, you retract. I had a great social circle. I had tons of friends when I was a freshman in high school. The further along in my eating disorder, the less I had. I was so private. I didn't want to be around anybody. I was ashamed of what I was going through. I didn't want anybody to know what I was doing. It was very secretive. I was very alone. The fact that I had my grandmother, I had my friend in high school, I had eventually my parents on my side, that was life changing.
Barbara: Well, I am really hearing some good lessons, Allison, for myself and maybe for our grandmothers and grandfathers that are listening out there. To establish a relationship with a loved one where there is all trust and no judgement, to be able to ... for you to go to your grandmother and to lie on her lap and just be able to put it all out there. It's often hard for a mother and a daughter with that kind of relationship, but a grandparent ... That's a wonderful reminder for all of us viewers who are in a position of influence with someone who might be going through that. Give them that kind of care and concern and non-judgement.
Allison: Exactly. Know that there's resources out there. The National Eating Disorders Association has a hotline, that if you have specific questions, you can reach out to them. I sit on the board for that organization. That where my parents turned to learn and become educated, as far as what I was going through. There's parent, family, and friends network. It's not just for support for those that are struggling. It's support for those that have a loved one that are going through this. Know that those resources exist. There's wonderful organizations throughout the state of Florida. The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness is in south Florida. I've got Hope here, that I can help as well. It's just really about finding the resources, and that's what we do. We bridge the gap. When somebody needs help, we help them find it. Thankfully, insurance is starting to cover this treatment much more, but if there's not, there are scholarship funds available through the Eating Disorder Network of Central Florida as well.
Barbara: No child would be left behind, I'm sure, at Recovery Village or any place where there's a problem.
Allison: No. Oh my gosh. We'll help. We'll do everything we can.
Barbara: Allison, we are all about life changing stories here at Good Life 45. I know, because of the job that you do there at Recovery
Village, and just your experiences with people through your walk as not only Miss Florida, but just as a professional, you have stories that you can share with us today, without giving any names. We love success stories.
Allison: Oh my gosh. I've been so inspired. That's what I love about what I do. In fact, our alumni celebration is this week out at Recovery Village, and I am so excited to hear all the amazing stories. People that have turned their lives around, that have a successful year under their belt, and they're pushing forward, and they've really started their lives over again. I'm constantly inspired. I work with a lot of young women, specifically in recovery. There's a young woman that goes to the University of Central Florida that I am just so impressed with, has created her own organization out there, in successful recovery. Reminds me very much of myself in that I've lived through something, felt compelled, felt so grateful, and is now giving back and helping to change the face of eating disorders, as well as give a voice. That's what it always goes back to is give a voice to those that can't talk about it right now. Take away the shame. Take away the stigma. Talk about what can their life be without their disorder, because so much of the time that becomes their identity. That becomes something that dictates everything that they're doing. Young women like the ones that I work with out at UCF and the individuals that I mentor through Hope ... I've got young women that are on my board now for Hope that have struggled and that are in successful recovery. Again, giving back, holding fundraisers so that we can do more. We can give scholarships and we can do all of these wonderful things.
Barbara: You mention the word mentoring and how important that is to have someone that is going to breath truth and life into your life, and to give you that kind of encouragement. Allison, something you mentioned a few minutes ago was about ... 8 years old. I just remember, when you were eight years old. Please don't tell me that it can start as young as 8 years old.
Allison: It is. It's sadly starting as young as 8. There's a program in central Florida that works with children as young as 8, because that's the need. I've heard it time and time again. I didn't realize I really had an eating disorder until I was in my teens. However, I can date it back to years prior where it started as a diet, or it started as comparing myself to my big sister or my aunt or whoever. It is starting so young and it's also going much older. It's so important to get the help that you need. You don't want to deal with this for the rest of your life. It could possibly take your life, so let's get the help that you need at the time that you need it. Thankfully, there's wonderful options for treatment for all ages, but it's knowing where to turn and it's knowing that this does affect children. This does affect men. This does affect all races, genders, ethnicities. This does not discriminate. It's so important to identify it and get treatment.
Barbara: It's not easy to identify, so we need those tools. If you have even an inkling that someone in your family or circle of influence has a problem, seek help. Right?
Allison: Absolutely. Absolutely. Reach out to your primary care provider, go online, look for the warning signs and symptoms. With anorexia, it's self-starvation, restriction. Bulimia, it's the binge and the purge. Binge eating, it's the excessive consumption of food. Even now, orthorexia is something that's a hot topic, and that's just an obsession with health food to the point of an extreme low.
Barbara: Interesting.
Allison: Always to an extreme, though. Just being aware of those things and identifying them and getting help, seeking help with a nutritionist or a therapist is core.
Barbara: Allison Kreiger Walsh, thank you so much for being here with us today.
Allison: Thank you. Thank you so much.
Barbara: Former Miss Florida from 2006. Honestly, she is such an accomplished woman. We're going to have that website up on the screen
for you. Recovery Village, if you need help. Allison is also an attorney, she's a wife, she's a mom, she's a great friend, she's a vice president of development and branding there at Recovery Village. She is so much, but she struggled. She had an obstacle to overcome. With the Lord's help, if you're struggling, you can do that too. You can be an overcomer, because we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the Lord. We pray for you today that you would be wise as a mother, a grandmother, a viewer, whoever you are today, to seek some help for someone in your circle, and just become more aware. Again, thank you, Allison Kreiger Walsh, for being here with us today.
Allison: Thank you.
Barbara: Now, we're going to go and hear a little bit of inspiration from John Riley, so sit back with us and enjoy. What a wonderful program today. I hope you enjoyed it, and I want to end our time together with a note of hope. The Psalm tells us, in Psalm 103, to forget not His benefits. I believe that means to dwell on the Lord's bountiful blessings, even in the midst of life's storms. We've all been there, or maybe we're even right there now. If you're in the middle of a trial and you feel like those raging waters are about to sweep you away, remember Him my friends. Think of God's goodness, and believe that your joy will come again. We're told in Scripture that those who sew in tears will reap with songs of joy, and that joy will come again. Together, let's claim God's wonderful promises in His word. He does not promise to give us a life without any kind of problems or trials or challenges. In fact, John 16:33 says, "In this world, you will have trouble." That's Jesus talking to us. This world, trouble for us. He also tells us, however, to take heart because He can give us peace, and He promises to get us through those dark valleys, those times of trouble and sorrow. Be encouraged today to stay strong in your faith. Trust in God. We will come through singing songs of joy. That's our God. He is faithful.
That's our note of hope for today. We'll see you next time right back here at Welcome Home. Bye bye, everybody, and God bless you.