The entire eating disorder community along with Veritas Collaborative, an eating disorder treatment center in North Carolina, hopes that a cure is discovered one day. When that day comes, the Veritas Collaborative explains that they’ll feel free to have other occupations. Until then, Veritas Collaborative is passionate about raising awareness for all those battling an eating disorder and is determined to continue marching for what they are fighting for. Find out what else Veritas and the eating disorder community march for at http://veritascollaborative.com/blog/2015/10/wed-rather-be-florists.

1. We’d Rather Be
Florists

2. I once overheard Chase Bannister tell someone he would
rather be a florist. If, collectively, we discovered a cure — if
somehow, someway — eating disorders received a final
knockout punch and exited the ring, he would become a
florist.
Chase could spend his days blissfully arranging beautiful
bouquets, and we would all be delighted to join him. But
until that day, collectively, we march in the fight against
eating disorders.

3. We march for the college student whose mind is consumed
by how he will avoid offers to share a meal, instead of
creating memories and fostering budding friendships.
We march for the ten year old who spent her summer in
treatment instead of at camp.
We march for the athlete who thinks they need to be thinner
to win.

4. We march for the parent who has struggled with an eating
disorder and prays every night their child will not endure the
same fate.
We march for anyone who has ever felt unworthy of food or
ashamed after standing on a scale.
We march for the friends and siblings who have watched a
childhood playmate transform and withdraw into a person
they do not recognize – and feel powerless to help.

5. We march to raise the veil of eating disorders like to hide
behind.
We march for the parent who drives 10 hours each way,
every weekend, to visit their child in treatment.
We march for every patient whose access to treatment has
been hindered by cost.
We march to continue the conversation. Why is the most fatal
mental illness the most ignored?

6. We march for the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts,
uncles, grandparents and friends who have lost a loved one
battling an eating disorder.
We march for our, and your, unborn children who we hope
will live in a world where eating disorders do not exist.
But until eating disorders are eradicated, we will march.

7. We will march until our
united voices are heard.
So maybe, one day, we can
all be florists.