An Eating Disorder Nearly Took Her Life. Ursula Chose Recovery.

Eating disorder recovery can be life-saving, but treatment often comes with significant financial strain. The WithAll Recovery Support Program helps people in treatment cover essential living expenses so they can focus on healing. Ursula received one of these grants during her recovery journey. This is her story.

A Life-Changing Wake-Up Call

For most of her life, Ursula lived with an eating disorder.

What began at a young age evolved over decades into different behaviors: binge eating, restriction, binge and purge cycles, and excessive exercise. Over time, the disorder intensified, eventually leading to severe restriction and dangerous malnutrition.

In January 2024, Ursula’s body reached a breaking point.

She fell into a coma after suffering a heart attack and multiple organ failure due to severe malnutrition. Doctors did not expect her to survive.

When Ursula woke up, she had a feeding tube in place and was closely monitored for possible brain damage. That moment marked the beginning of something she never expected: a chance to begin recovery.

Ursula, WithAll Recovery Support Program grantee

Realizing the Severity of an Eating Disorder

After waking from the coma, Ursula entered eating disorder treatment.

At first, she didn’t know what to expect. Like many people living with eating disorders, denial had kept the seriousness of the illness hidden for years.

But treatment changed her perspective.

During her time in care, Ursula had a powerful realization about the severity of her eating disorder and what was truly at stake.

“Without recovery, I wouldn’t have life,” she shared.

For the first time, recovery became her top priority.

The Financial Reality of Eating Disorder Treatment

Eating disorder treatment can be life-saving, but it can also create financial strain.

The cost of treatment, combined with everyday living expenses, can make it difficult for individuals to stay in care long enough to recover.

For Ursula, financial stress could have made an already difficult journey even harder.

That’s when the WithAll Recovery Support Program stepped in.

“This journey comes at a financial cost, and WithAll was there to support me in my journey.”

How the Recovery Support Program Helped

The WithAll Recovery Support Program provides grants to individuals in eating disorder treatment to help cover essential living expenses like groceries and housing.

These grants help reduce financial pressure so people can stay in treatment and focus on recovery.

Ursula received support from the program during her treatment. The financial assistance helped her remain in care longer and focus on healing instead of worrying about the financial burden of treatment.

She shares deep gratitude for the donors who make the program possible.

“I am eternally grateful to all the donors who support this amazing foundation.”

Sharing Her Story to Help Others

Today, Ursula hopes her story will help raise awareness about the seriousness of eating disorders and the importance of access to treatment.

Eating disorders can affect people at any age and can persist for decades. But recovery is possible, especially when people receive the support they need.

By sharing her experience, Ursula hopes to encourage others who may still be struggling and to advocate for those who feel lost in the darkness of an eating disorder.

Help Someone Stay in Treatment

Many people experiencing eating disorders cannot access or remain in treatment because of financial barriers.

The WithAll Recovery Support Program helps bridge that gap by providing grants that cover essential living expenses during treatment.

Your donation to the Recovery Support Program can help someone stay in care and focus on recovery.

Just $18 provides one day of groceries to someone with a life-threatening eating disorder. Donate today to help prevent eating disorders and support those in recovery.