EATING DISORDERS
A REAL ILLNESS REAL WELSH PROBLEM

This article was for a newspaper which has ignored it,but I would love for someone somewhere to take notice of these facts,and in whatever meduim edited,narrated , try to make people aware.
I could help anymore in any way possible,please contact me.
Please feel free to edit/change size of article etc as long as its read,seen or heard.
To change the taboo and take action.


Thanks in all sincerity,

Dan Witchell
24 Jenkins street
Bridgend
Mid Glamorgan
South Wales
Cf31 3AN

TEL -01656 - 660-682
Email - Toybox@appleonline.net



A REAL WELSH PROBLEM / IGNORANCE IS BLISS
Write an article .
What can I write about?
Perhaps things I don't know a lot about , be critical or just give the people what they want .
So in my own way I ignore all that and draw on my own experiences regarding ,,,,
ANOREXIA , BULIMIA , AND MENTAL HEALTH .
Such dirty words amongst the public and professionals yet as real as Cancer or Aids .
I mention this , because Wales has not ONE unit for eating disorders and its mental health system is in disarray .
These illnesses themselves are largely regarded as secondary and vain , why care ?
Care because they kill and its a cruel illness
We are the only section of Britain without a dedicated unit for eating disorders .This in all respects is disgraceful and someone in power is overlooking or avoiding the facts.
Instead Welsh sufferers must try as best they can with the limited resources available or literally fight for funding to be admitted in English specialist hospitals . This usually is only granted if the patient is at deaths door and has already suffered without help .
The alternative in Wales is to admit sufferers into mental wards where no real specialist help is available and where nothing is really done. They feed you up send you out and nothing is really achieved , it all starts again .
For a real recovery to be made people need a specialist enviroment with people who understand the illness and their needs.
The problem lies in the illnesses perception as a vein and adolescent fad . Whereas like all mental illnesses it is real . If it could manifest itself physically people would be bleeding ,it would be recognized as an epidemic and a unit would be made.
As things stand there is no campaign , no concern and people are not only hurting but dying from this illness .
I write this not only out of sincere concern but from first hand experience .
I was diagnosed with anorexia and throughout my teens having been admitted to various mental hospitals in Wales had to eventually go and beg for funding to be admitted to a specialist unit in England . This in itself is degrading for anyone who needs help not speculation , it was like visiting a bank manager concerning my life !
To have just one unit in Wales would be great for the growing number of people with eating disorders , more awareness would see those suffering in silence look for help.
I hope this article will reach someone who has the power to do something about this problem and perhaps make them think , that people are dying and in the meantime suffering with limited help .
Look at the money and pride in the millennium stadium and the welsh assembly buildings .
Then look at our hospitals , look deeper to the mental health wards and you will feel shame ,something is going wrong somewhere.
I hope anyone reading this article with a problem will look for help and hang in there because recovery is possible . It is is nothing to be ashamed of , it is an illness as real as any other.
I just know that it would be better for so many if a unit Wales was available.
To who ever has the power to make a change or even a start please realize the seriousness of this issue.
Ignorance is bliss but we are talking about a real problem , a real need regarding real people with a real illness with a real growing mortality rate.
I am not a politician , oe someone in authority to make a big change . all I can do for now is highlight a severe need.
I wish I could help more.People suffering in any respect is wrong but to have no facilities at all for a lethal condition is a crime.
So I hope anyone who can make a start,or even make it happen please enough talking has been done,lets wake up and start.



EATING DISORDERS
A REAL ILLNESS REAL WELSH PROBLEM

This article was for a newspaper which has ignored it,but I would love for someone somewhere to take notice of these facts,and in whatever meduim edited,narrated , try to make people aware.
I could help anymore in any way possible,please contact me.
Please feel free to edit/change size of article etc as long as its read,seen or heard.
To change the taboo and take action.


Thanks in all sincerity,

Dan Witchell
24 Jenkins street
Bridgend
Mid Glamorgan
South Wales
Cf31 3AN

TEL -01656 - 660-682
Email - Toybox@appleonline.net