Lynne Lang was an average teenager who loved going to school and being a cheerleader, but when she was 17 years old, she was diagnosed with anorexia. She only weighted 70 pounds and her life was in danger. Hospitalized and hooked to a heart monitor, Lynne wasn't allowed to do anything physical, especially practicing her beloved sport. She thought her life was over. Cheerleading was the motivation Lynne needed to recover, gain weight and get her life back.
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Doctors overlooked her small frame and suggested that it was due to typical teenage behavior, but in reality Lynne was suffering from the eating disorder. Her grandmother didn't accept the diagnosis and pushed for her beloved granddaughter to be hospitalized. Lynne got in just in time because her heart was failing. Doctors said that if she didn't gain weight her heart would stop functioning.
When Lynne saw herself in the hospital bed, unable to move she thought she was going to die. Her love for cheerleading gave her the strength to recover and start eating because the doctors didn't allow her to do any physical activity until she gained weight. Anorexia and bulimia are serious eating disorders that affect the lives of many regardless of their age, social status or income. Demi Lovato's experience with bulimia has inspired many to seek help and voice their problems with the disease. Her love for music had been her inspiration to face her troubles and love herself again.
As you know eating disorders are mental diseases that hide emotional problems. They often affect teenagers because they are still insecure, trying to find their place in the world. I'm happy to report that Lynne not only recovered and gained weight but she has been able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She is competing at level five in cheerleading competitions and is excelling in high school. She has her family and friends by her side and she is one of the lucky kids who won the battle against the disease. Many others weren't as fortunate.
Images via Corbis/dailymail.co.uk
