Andrea's Voice: Silenced by Bulimia

Andrea Smeltzer had the world at her feet: she was talented, strong, and beautiful. But, after a one-year struggle with Bulimia, Andrea died in her sleep at the age of 19. Her mother, Doris, here, presents an exploration of the emotional issues around her daughter's development of Bulimia. This work also has Andrea's poetry and journal entries.

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Vibrant, talented, strong, and beautiful, Andrea Smeltzer seemed destined for a great future. But after a one-year struggle with bulimia, she died in her sleep at age 19, catapulting her mother Doris into a wrenching but ultimately rewarding journey of discovery. This unabashed account not only speaks about one family’s tragedy, but also critiques the social and personal attitudes toward our bodies and appearance that create victims like Andrea. Andrea's poetry and journal entries, combined with her mother's reflections, offer insight and understanding about a crushing disorder that afflicts far too many young people.