In October of 2014, a young woman named Harriet reached out to BuzzFeed, hoping to share her own personal struggles with eating disorders. Only 17-years-old, Harriet is still on the path to recovery and wants to be a voice of hope for the voiceless.
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BuzzFeed worked with Harriet to tell her very personal story in this powerful video. All of the materials you see in the video - journals, sketches, and photographs - were provided by Harriet, and the voice you hear is hers.
"My name is Harriet, and I have hope that all of the bad things I've been through can be turned into something good."
"I remember having negative body image for as long as I've had memories. When I was around 3-years-old, I clearly recall my father picking up another little girl and saying that he couldn't pick me up anymore because I was too heavy."
"Now I'm seventeen, and I've spent the last three years of my life in and out of hospitals and recovery centers."
"I lied to the people I love most and became someone completely unrecognizable."
"Having an eating disorder may not be a choice, but you can choose to beat this. I can beat this. You are strong enough. I am strong enough."
