The Starving Series
Hi, my name is Emily Duckett, but you can call me “Em”. My pronouns are she/her and I identify as queer. I am a 22 year old dancer, recently graduated from York University for dance with a focus on choreography and performance. I am a settler, and uninvited guest and acknowledge that I reside on the traditional territory of many Indigenous Nations. The area known as Tkaronto has been care taken by the Anishinabek Nation, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Huron-Wendat.
I am the founder of “Friends of Emily”, An outlet for family, friends, caretakers etc of those who have a loved one struggling with an eating disorder (s) (All are welcome). A safe, discreet, confidential space that allows individuals to seek solace during any hardships they may endure through their loved ones' eating disorder(s) journey. Link: https://www.brassringdance.com/resource-list.
In my life, I have struggled with anorexia, bulimia, and depression. This all started at the young age of 12 and it soon took over my whole life. I was consumed by my eating disorder for years. It was all I thought about the day in and day out. Looking back those years were the darkest of my life and it hurts me to know I put my loved ones through that. It was through therapy, the support of my family and friends, and reclaiming my power, that I overcame my struggles with eating. I’ve been in recovery since I was 16, which doesn’t always look the same. Somedays my relationship with food is different than others, and my body image is still a mess in its own sense. Regardless, I am healthy. I eat when I am hungry and fuel my body when I need to. Since I went through therapy at such a young age, it is now in my adult life that I have started to unpack all the issues and events surrounding my eating disorder. I am in a safe, secure place where I can sit with these feelings without them triggering me.
Why write this series? With this multiple part series, I hope to explore my eating disorder and shed light on what my personal experience was like. I hope this builds connection and healing among those who may be struggling with an eating disorder, and let them know that they are not alone.
National Eating Disorders Association Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
