This is the compelling story of Savannah, a young woman from Calgary who struggled with anorexia. Her parents were forced to place her in an expensive private clinic in Portugal to save her life. Read on for the full account of her family’s long battle with the disease, courtesy of icalgary.
The Anorexia Diagnosis
Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder characterized by an obsessive desire to lose weight and an intense refusal to eat. Symptoms include rapid weight loss, an overwhelming fear of gaining weight, a distorted perception of one’s own body, severe dietary restriction, excessive physical activity, and gastrointestinal issues.
Savannah was diagnosed with an early form of anorexia at the age of 11. Her mother, Sandy Henry, recalled that it all began when Savannah joined a swimming course. Her daughter trained diligently, but the parents became alarmed when she started refusing meals, insisting only on salads.
Anorexia distorts body image and can have severe consequences for both physical and mental health. That is why seeking professional help in a timely manner is crucial. For example, Adele Fox, a psychologist based in Calgary, has experience treating eating disorders dating back to 1998 when she worked in Toronto on an inpatient eating disorder program. Since then, she has actively worked with adolescents, adults, and their families. Fox is also a board member and clinical advisor for the Silver Linings Foundation.
The Treatment Journey
Sandy Henry, who previously lived in Calgary, shared the heartbreaking decision to send her teenage daughter to Portugal to receive the necessary treatment for her severe eating disorder. The family initially explored all options in their hometown of Calgary, but at the time, there were no sufficient residential inpatient programs available.
In fact, Adele Fox, the registered Calgary-based psychologist specializing in eating disorders, also recommended looking for help in the United States due to the lack of adequate facilities in Canada. Consequently, the Henry family even considered relocating to British Columbia and tried a private clinic in the U.S. to access a residential program. Treatment options in Alberta proved ineffective, leading the family to mortgage their home in an attempt to secure treatment programs in Arizona and British Columbia.
The main difficulty they faced was a profound lack of understanding; people often told their daughter to ‘just eat more,’ failing to grasp the true depth of the problem.
After exhausting local options, the decision was made to send 17-year-old Savannah to the private Cegonha Retreat Clinic in Alvor, Portugal. Savannah weighed only 36-39 kilograms when she arrived for treatment. Her mother recounted that her daughter looked extremely frail; she would even have to stop walking to sit down and rest. One month of treatment at this private medical facility in Portugal cost approximately $40,000 per month.
It is important to note that treating anorexia is a complex process that includes psychotherapy, medication, and the development of an individualized nutrition plan under the supervision of a doctor or a team of specialists.
Fundraising for Treatment
In 2015, the family organized a fundraiser in Calgary at the Nicastro Community House (2820 Center Street NE) to cover the enormous costs. Volunteers arranged entertainment, an auction, and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets were sold for $25, with all proceeds dedicated to Savannah’s clinic expenses.
In the summer of 2015, Sandy Henry went a step further, walking over 300 kilometres from British Columbia to Alberta to raise funds for her daughter and spread awareness about anorexia.
Treatment in Portugal yielded positive results: Savannah began gaining weight, and her overall health gradually improved. Sandy Henry said seeing these changes was nothing short of miraculous.
Eating Disorder Education in Calgary Schools
It is important to mention another Calgary case: Nicole Cowper. She was also diagnosed with anorexia, but with a worse outcome, ending up in the intensive care unit after an anorexia-induced heart attack. Her mother, Anita Simon, subsequently founded the Silver Linings Foundation to support families facing similar issues. Having struggled herself to find help for her daughter, she became determined to assist others.
Anita Simon has since started working closely with the Canadian Mental Health Association to implement eating disorder education in city schools. The situation is worsening annually, with Canadian children as young as five struggling with eating disorders.
Such educational programs are critically important, as they allow teachers, parents, and students themselves to recognize the first signs of these disorders and not hesitate to seek professional help. Furthermore, knowledge about eating disorders can help minimize their development. Open conversations about eating disorders in schools will help destigmatize the topic, creating a more understanding and tolerant environment.