Almost 3 years ago Sophie’s dietitian looked me straight in the eye and said very seriously, “she possibly won’t get an education because of the anorexia”. It was a chilling moment for me, a real reality check. This illness was here to stay for years, and was capable of taking my daughter’s future.
Yesterday Sophie graduated Year 12, with a first in Ancient History and a first in Japanese for this year’s subjects, and a first in Visual Arts last year. It’s not the firsts that is the greatest achievement here, but the fact she gained her high school education through incredible odds.
Many components have gone into this achievement:
- Sophie’s commitment to her recovery despite the many relapses and home life situations
- Her slow regaining of self-confidence and belief that she is allowed to own and live her life apart from the anorexia
- Her teams unwavering positive support and counseling through everything
- The schools commitment and offering options to enable her to complete each year
- Exemptions from exams and assessments, special considerations, pathways for two years to complete the Year 12 subjects for HSC
There were many times during the past years that both of us wondered if she would ever get there. Days and weeks of major insecurities and doubt, coupled with relapse. It sometimes seemed a mountain to high and difficult to climb over.
She is proud, elated and now very tired. This last week of finalising Year 12 has been an emotional roller coaster and a huge event in itself. After the intense high will come the low, but the knowledge of achievement will remain with her. It will give her confidence to know she has the right to claim the same ‘right of passage’ that every other teenagers has – university and a future.
As for me, I am intensely proud of her, to have come through so much and to have made it with a spectacular finish. I am teary as I review the past to present journey, and know that whilst my daughter is still not safe, the future is looking far better than it looked those 3 years ago. To my beautiful, lovely daughter.