Local Art Exhibit Raises Awareness Of Eating Disorders
By Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- An art exhibit featuring work created by women with eating disorders took center stage Monday night in Delaware County.
As KYW's Justin Udo reports, the artists' stories are just as compelling as their artwork.
Aimee Gilmore fought anorexia and bulimia since the eighth grade.
"It was really hard to focus on my recovery and really get to the underlying issues that led to the development of my eating disorders," said Gilmore.
Gilmore says everything changed for the better when she checked into an in-patient program at The Renfrew Center.
"It was through art therapy process that I really found my true voice through recovery," she said.
Gilmore says art played such a huge role in her recovery that she went back to college got a degree in sculpture and fine arts and is now a practicing artist.
She says art help save her life.
"I'm not sure if I would be here and I certainly don't think I would be in the place that I am right now," she said.
Officials who work in art therapy say they see varying levels of success in this program.