Mother of Portsmouth anorexia survivor sings to help others

A mother from Portsmouth, whose daughter recovered from life-threatening anorexia has been putting her musical talent to use to help others affected by eating disorders.

Caroline Skeet wrote a song for her daughter, Sophie, and is asking listeners to donate to the UK’s eating disorder charity, Beat.

Speaking of her daughter’s illness and journey to recovery, Caroline said: “Since she was 9 years old, my daughter Sophie always had issues with her weight, although she was a very slim child so we were at a loss to know where these thoughts came from.

“It was only when she was about 14 years old and puberty began to really set in, that she switched the ‘on button’ for the addiction and she started controlling her food.”

Caroline described how a doctor spotted the signs of an eating disorder and referred Sophie for treatment. But “she was in denial, refusing all therapy and only put on the necessary weight to satisfy everyone else. Once she was discharged from the child mental health department she quickly lost the weight she had gained. It wasn’t till the following year that she finally admitted to me that she had a problem with eating.

Sophie was sent again to a specialist eating disorder services and continued to struggle with her illness until well into adulthood.

“In the Summer of 2014, she met her now husband and for the first time in her life she found something or rather someone who was more important to her than her illness”, said Caroline.

“Normal eating became more frequent and the illness that haunted her, was soon to become a distant memory.

“Four years later they are happily married and have two children.”

Speaking about why she wanted to raise money for Beat by writing a song, Caroline said: “Using my experience as a mother going through this battle to recovery with her, I wanted to put into words and rhythm an illustration of how I felt.

“I wanted to raise awareness and to give others hope as they walk the same journey we did.”

Beat’s Community Fundraising Officer Emily Battersby-Case said, “Caroline is doing such important work in raising awareness and money to help ensure that eating disorder sufferers and their families get support. Her and her daughter’s story is an inspiration for everyone affected by these illnesses.

“Last year Beat directly supported over 17,000 people and this year we are hoping to help more than 29,000. The dedication of Caroline and other fundraisers like her is essential in achieving that goal.”

Caroline’s fundraising page can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/caroline-skeet

Jamie Dyer

Jamie Dyer is an experienced writer, broadcaster, musician and social media marketer. He enjoys Old Time Radio, vintage TV, collecting vinyl and supporting the New York Knicks.

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