Amy's Story
My name is Amy Kathleen Lee (formerly known as Amy Waddle), a former ballet dancer and eating disorder survivor. I started dancing when I was 11 years old and quickly progressed to the pre-professional level by the age of 14. I suffered a spinal injury only a few years later and was told I would never dance again. I was devastated. It was then I started experiencing severe depression, anxiety, and mood swings. After a few years, I began to show signs of restriction, weight obsession, over-exercise, diet pill abuse, and body dysmorphia.
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On the verge of collapse, I was hospitalized in December 2001 and diagnosed with bulimia and bipolar disorder. I began my journey to recovery; a journey that would last for many years. During my illness, I was admitted to 3 psychiatric hospitals and 2 eating disorder treatment centers. I was sick for a total of 18 years, 12 of those years spent in active recovery. In the fall of 2011, I faced my worst fear and grieved over the loss of my ballet career. I found acceptance and that is when I broke free.
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Now I have a new purpose for my life, and a way to incorporate my 2 loves, dance and recovery. Dancing with ED was born out of my passion for dance, the closeness I feel to dancers, and my commitment to my recovery. I chose recovery, and so can you.
