Laura Collins
Adversity: 14-year-old daughter diagnosed with anorexia nervosa
Advocacy: Founded a nonprofit for others with loved ones with eating disorders
“We can learn from one another, and we can stand together internationally and make a difference in caring for those with eating disorders. We can save them.”
Six years after her daughter was diagnosed, Collins founded F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered and Supporting Treatment of Eating Disorders) to assist parents caring for loved ones who have a biologically based brain disorder. “The first thing I would say to a parent in similar circumstances is ‘This is not your fault. This is not your child’s fault.’ This is important, as this is not the message they are going to automatically hear.” A beacon of hope, Collins believes full recovery from eating disorders is not only possible, but should be expected. Collins is the Executive Director of F.E.A.S.T., the author of “Eating With Your Anorexic,” and is a featured speaker at international eating disorder conferences.