Reviews  

"Collection of Hope: This book was written by a vast variety of individuals who have recovered or are in strong recovery from eating disorders. The book contains poetry, testimonies, artwork, and inspirational thoughts. The book is very, very powerful! I would highly recommend this to anyone who has struggled even the slightest bit with food or self image concerns. The best part is that along with the book exists an online support network and monthly newsletter. This online newsletter is the richest in content that I have ever subscribed to. The author, Andrea Roe, is personally invested in the lives of everyone who chooses to share their story with her! Recovery is possible."

Angela C, USA.

"I have treated eating disorders for 20 years and the one thing I know for sure is that no one can recover from this destructive disease alone. And so the title of this book certainly got my attention.

You Are Not Alone is an amazing gift waiting for anyone who is suffering with an eating disorder. This diverse collection of creative expression --- in prose, poetry and visual arts --- has the power to break through the barriers of isolation and deliver genuine hope to the reader's doorstep. Andrea Roe and her courageous co-creators offer inspiration, identification, and practical guidance that can make a real difference in readers' lives. It is a book that offers a variety of perspectives to demonstrate how individuals experience eating disorders and eating disorder recovery in unique and personal ways. Readers will not only be supported in their efforts to recover, but they will also very likely be inspired to put pen to paper or brush to canvas so that they too can creatively express their struggles and their triumphs in recovery.

I will be recommending You Are Not Alone to my clients and workshop participants for some time to come."

Thom Rutledge, LCSW. Psychotherapist, Author of
"Embracing Fear: How to Turn What Scares Us Into Our Greatest Gift" and Co-Author of "Life Without Ed - How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too".
For more information, please visit Thom's website.

"You Are Not Alone is a unique compilation of stories, poems, art and even song lyrics from women suffering or recovering from eating disorders and related issues. What this wonderful collection of women amply illustrates is the global nature of the problem and how it does not discriminate by race, age or indeed gender. The author Andrea Roe has given a voice to women of all ages and from countries across the globe including the US, Canada, Netherlands, UK and New Zealand to name a few.

Each story is different in its circumstances yet similar in the passion and emotion that flows from words born out of the pain and isolation each contributor has suffered and yet these poignant stories and poems combine to convey a message of strength, courage and hope.

The title "You Are Not Alone" speaks for itself. This chorus of strong voices will provide other sufferers out there with a real sense of community and that there are others who understand and share their burden. This book, which may be disturbing at times for those who do not understand the complexity of the various manifestations of eating disorders, will leave the reader with a different perspective on those that suffer. These women are not weak victims, they are strong survivors. They deserve our admiration for the inspiration they provide. I recommend anyone touched directly or indirectly by an eating disorder to read this book and feel the power of these wonderful women.
As Whitney Johnson proclaims in her poem "Dear Enemy" - "You will not win oh enemy of mine, I will fight you until the end."

Jocelyn Golden. Author of "Learning To Be Me -
My Twenty Three Year Battle with Bulimia".

"You Are Not Alone is long overdue. As a survivor/activist myself, I have steadily maintained that if I could heal from anorexia and bulimia, depression and anxiety disorder, literally anyone can heal. Now, here in the pages of You Are Not Alone, an international chorus of courageous fighters spreads this life-saving, life-giving message to any woman who needs to hear it. The stories shared here show us all that there are as many paths to recovery as there are unique souls walking that path. But that does not in any way dilute the fundamental truth – that any woman who wants recovery badly enough - from whatever holds her down - will FIND A WAY. We are strong. We are wise. And we are ALL beautiful, just as we are. So if you are out there, fighting your way through to hope, read this book and don’t give up – life is a choice, and your life is so worth fighting for! much love"

Shannon Cutts. Founder of
"Key to Life: unlocking the door to hope".
Singer, songwriter, recording artist, speaker,
youth mentor, and eating disorder survivor.

"You Are Not Alone, by Andrea Roe, is a compilation of the writings of thirty-four women that are co-authors to this book and of varying ages. It has been written to provide insights, encouragements, and support to those that now struggle with an eating disorder. This book has also been written in order to raise awareness on eating disorders that stem from abuse.

Each of the stories are written in a detailed manner. They each carry with them some strong emotions. Yet, it is a book I feel will help other women. These women write of the horrors of abuse and the effects it had on their eating habits. Each of them carries a story that has the capability to touch the hearts of those struggling with eating disorders and such.

"Painted Desert," by Geri Karlstrom, tells the readers that although they are struggling, there is always hope. In essence, it is the hope that she runs to and finds courage. Jessica Beal wrote a poem titled, “Future?” In this poem, she writes of how everything looks to the loved ones of the woman. She writes from their perspective and talks of hope once again.

I recommend this book to any person that has ever had to deal with an eating disorder, as well as to their loved ones. The women that have written their stories in this book are truly courageous, for they have taken but a moment to sit down and write of encouragement, hope, and courage. "

Kelli G. Deister. BellaOnline's Child Abuse Editor
Author of three books on domestic violence and abuse, including Embracing the Storm: Jewels for Victims of Domestic Violence.
For more information, please go to www.hopefields.com
- A Website Dedicated to Survivors of Domestic Violence.

"You Are Not Alone comprises a collection of short stories, poems and images, wich all give insight into personal feelings, thoughts and fears of 34 women, suffering from eating disorders. The stories are as variable and unique, as the ways, the women have chosen to overcome the eating disorder and strike a new path back to life. Very often the feeling of hopelessness leads to isolation, and isolation very often kills any ray of hope. I very much hope and believe that the book will reassure others suffering from eating disorders, to overcome isolation and keep fighting their way back to life - you are not alone!

Every story is unique and communicates hope, every author is telling a passage of a singular life, each contribution encourages to keep on fighting, and the continuous message precisely is what is said in its title: you are not alone."

Miriam Liedvogel. Editor in Chief at Hungrig-Online.de,
the biggest German internet-forum on eating disorders.

"The courage and strength in each of the poems, stories, musical lyrics and artwork are both heartbreaking and stirring at the same time. By compiling this book of writing, Andrea is offering to those still struggling a ray of light, understanding and, above all, hope, that recovery from an Eating Disorder is possible. Congratulations on such a wonderful resource!"

Lori Henry. Dancer, Actress and Author of "Silent Screams".
Publisher and Editor of "Beauty: You Define It" magazine.
Freelance Writer in Vancouver and in charge of covering the
eating disorders community at Suite 101.

"I am sure this book will provide much needed support and help for sufferers of these misunderstood disorders. It is always important to show that recovery is possible and that eating disorders can be beaten."

Anna Paterson. Author of Eating Disorder Recovery books,
including "Anorexic", "Diet Of Dispair" and "Running On Empty".
For more information, please visit Anna's website.