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 Andrea
Roe is an author and speaker whose mission is to show individuals struggling with
an eating disorder that they are not alone and that recovery IS possible.
Why
Eating Disorders? Because for six years, she was a slave to them herself. Initially,
it started as Anorexia and after a while, turned into full-blown Bulimia. It was
these behaviors that caused her to lose her friends, alienate her family and ultimately
withdraw from society. She spent more and more time alone in suffering until
one day, she had had enough. As difficult as it first was, she started by “coming
out” to her mother. She sought professional help and slowly started down the path
to recovery. Shortly afterwards, she met her future husband and a result
of their relationship, she started recovering even faster. With his help, she
went on to beat the disorder. She attributes her recovery to the people
in her life who supported her through the process. It wasn't always easy, but
through them, it was finally possible.  That's
what set her on her mission. In October 2006, she released her first book,
You
Are Not Alone: The Book of Companionship For Women Struggling
With Eating Disorders. Featuring the inspirational stories of 34 different
women from around the world who had faced an eating disorder, the book was designed
to act as a support tool for all those who felt alone in their struggles and hopeless.  Positive
feedback from the first volume encouraged her to team up with fellow eating disorder
survivor and award-winning singer & songwriter, Shannon  Cutts,
for a second book, You
Are Not Alone, Volume 2, an inspiring collection of recovery stories,
poems and artwork (included in the book: free Companion CD filled with
songs by women who are either recovered or in strong recovery).
In addition
to her books, Andrea has been active in the online community with her web site,
www.eating-disorder-information.com. Originally set up in late 2005, It has become
a valuable resource for those struggling with an eating disorder and those supporting
the sufferers. From that web site, she created an monthly e-newsletter called
the "You Are Not Alone Support
Letter". With almost four years behind it, the Support Letter now has
several thousand regular  readers
and contributors. In 2007, Andrea started setting up local eating disorder
support groups in her local community. She also started speaking to schools and
treatment centers in Canada and the US about eating disorders and how to develop
a healthy body image.  As
a result of her work, Andrea was awarded "Woman of the
Year" by her local community in 2007, for her commitment to working
with those struggling with eating disorders (and their loved ones) to overcome
this dangerous mental disorder. She has also been featured in national and international
publications as a result of her work.
Through her work, Andrea has been
able to connect with numerous best-selling authors, Hollywood actresses,
international models and performers affected by eating disorders including best-selling
author and self esteem expert of the Tyra Banks show, Jessica Weiner, international
fashion and runway model Magali Amadei, former male model and author Ron Saxen,
internationally renowed performer Uri Geller, best-selling eating disorder author
Jenni Schaefer, Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund, retired competitive figure
skater Jennifer Kirk, comedian and actress Stacey Prussman, Hollywood actress
Barbara Niven, actress and NEDA ambassador Scarlett Pomers.  Andrea
is also a part of the Leadership & Advisory team for MentorCONNECT, a pro-recovery
community (founded by fellow eating disorder survivor Shannon Cutts) that seeks
to connect those in need of recovery support with those that have received help
themselves and now want to offer it to others. It features such well known eating
disorder community experts such as Thom Rutledge, author of Embracing Fear
and co-author of Life Without Ed.
Now it is her goal to continue
to share her story, her knowledge and her healing message with all those who need
it – mainly that you are NOT alone and that recovery
really IS possible! For more information
on how to book Andrea as speaker for your event, send a message to
If you
want to get in touch with Andrea directly,
feel free to send her an email
to You can also connect with Andrea
online via Facebook. Visit Andrea's recovery blog
at http://andrearoe.blogspot.com/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What
People Are Saying About Andrea: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You have made such a huge impact/difference in my
life. You truly are an inspiration to all of us who have eating disorders
and I admire your courage and strength along with your generous spirit and loving
nature. I am so happy for you that you have overcome your eating disorder and
that you are reaching out to other women who are going through exactly what you
went through. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me!" - A.S.,
17. BC, Canada, is in recovery from eating disorders. "Thank
you for everything, Andrea. You are a wonderful person and I think God put
you in my life for a reason." - Jessica, from the US, is in recovery
from an eating disorder "Andrea,
unfortunetly you know as well as I do that the web is full of triggering sites
now days. However, your creation is a beautiful and positive step forward for
everyone. Whatever the illness, whatever the mind set, there is always something
for someone in your support letter and website. When you are in hospital, one
of the main thing taken away is the internet. However, I think that if people
had the chance to read your site while there, there would be changes... big changes!
You are helping me go forward, You are helping many people go forward...
and I know that one day I'll look forward on this and will deeply have to thank
you more so then now!" - Kara (Living her 6th year with her ed, using your
help, making it my last....hopefully.) "I
honestly do believe 100% that you were put in my life for a reason. You are
most definitely making a difference in this world and you should be proud of yourself.
I am also so happy that I have had the blessing of coming in contact with you
because like I said, I think it was meant to be for a reason. I think that everyone
is on this earth for a reason." - Britany, from the US, is in recovery
from an eating disorder "What a special person you
are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have said. It
means a lot to me." - Sandra, 27, from ON, Canada, is in recovery from
bulimia "Wow…. I don't even know how to express my thanks
to you. Thank you that you are so caring, kind, understanding and helpful.
I really appreciate all your hard work. I'm really glad that I can relate to so
many things that you say and that you can relate to what I'm feeling as well.
You've really helped me a lot. Thank you for really caring! - Anonymous,
18. from BC, Canada, is in recovery from an eating disorder For
more information on how to book Andrea as speaker for your event, send a message
to
If you
want to get in touch with Andrea directly,
feel free to send her an email
to
 You
can also connect with Andrea
online via Facebook.
Visit
Andrea's recovery blog at http://andrearoe.blogspot.com/
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