Woman Only Weighed 35 Pounds Until Saving Her Life

(PresidentialHill.com)- Lora Marsh’s eating disorder began at age 13. By age 27, the South Carolina artist weighed 35 pounds and was near death. She gave her mom Power of Attorney in case she died.

Marsh told reporters that her body had shut down. She knew she needed help when she saw her life fall apart.

A report shows Marsh’s recovery has been remarkable after ten months in the ICU. She’s healthy and runs Pixie Storm Studios, an online art business.

On December 9, Marsh tweeted about her recovery. Twitter users were amazed by her transformation between a photo taken before and after treatment.

According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), 9.1% of the U.S. population will battle an eating disorder.

Anorexia is characterized by low body weight, a fear of gaining weight, and a skewed perception of weight and appearance. Sufferers are preoccupied with their size and body shape, restricting their food intake and exercising too much.

Even after losing weight, anorexics fear gaining it back. This fear can affect relationships, careers, and the health of sufferers. Celebrating holidays with loved ones can be difficult, especially Thanksgiving.

Besides anorexia, Marsh has bulimia. People with the disorder binge and purge in secret. Despite being associated with vomiting after meals, bulimia purging also includes using diet pills and laxatives.

Eating disorders can develop at any age, but often in teens.

According to Hilde Bruch, the author of The Golden Cage, controlling mothers don’t let their daughters develop a sense of self.  A 1983 article in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry said parenting failure could cause anorexia nervosa.

In the 1990s, the narrative suggested parents influenced their children’s eating through their food and weight attitudes.

The report reveals that Marsh was surrounded by dieters. Her dad had bulimia, and her mom had anorexia as a teenager.

In her teens, Marsh found pro-ana and pro-mia websites. These sites promote eating disorders by advising sufferers to shun food, restrict calories, or hide vomiting after meals.

Since leaving the facility, her 2018 business gave her something to focus on. Marsh’s Pixie Storm Studios (@PixieStrmDesign) has almost 30,000 social media followers, and she’s dating a man who shares her artistic vision.

Hopefully, Lora Marsh will stay physically and mentally strong.