Vibrant, talented, strong, and beautiful, Andrea Smeltzer seemed destined for a great future. But after a one-year struggle with bulimia, she died in her sleep at age 19, catapulting her mother Doris into a wrenching but ultimately rewarding journey of discovery. This unabashed account not only speaks about one family’s tragedy, but also critiques the social and personal attitudes toward our bodies and appearance that create victims like Andrea. Andrea's poetry and journal entries, combined with her mother's reflections, offer insight and understanding about a crushing disorder that afflicts far too many young people.
“This is one of the most beautiful, real, compassionate and personal books from the point of view of the eating disorder, sufferer, the family and the community. We should all celebrate Andrea’s Voice.”
— Ira M. Sacker, MD, President, Helping End Eating Disorders (Heed) Foundation, author of Regaining Yourself
Thanks to Doris Smeltzer’s courageous examination of her daughter’s illness and death, Andrea may actually empower many others struggling with eating disorders to live. Ultimately, this is a book of hope and of healing.”
— Margo Maine, PhD, psychologist and author, specializing in eating disorders for 25 years
