Imagine a family torn apart by an invisible thief that steals joy, health, and ultimately, a precious life. That’s the raw reality of eating disorders, a silent epidemic that hijacks not just the individual, but everyone who loves them. In my recent conversations with Linda and John Mazur, founders of The Emilee Connection, I was reminded of this truth in the most profound way.
Their story, born from unimaginable loss, is one of hope, advocacy, and a relentless fight against a broken system. As a seasoned therapist, passionate about improving mental health through my work at Sirona Therapy, these meetings left me inspired, heartbroken, and more committed than ever to this cause. The conversations flowed naturally and organically with our shared passion; to get to the root of things and heal people suffering from an eating disorder.
Emilee’s Struggle
Let me take you back to the heart of it all – Emilee Mazur. Emilee was a vibrant young woman whose life was tragically cut short in 2016, at only 35 years old, after a decade-long battle with anorexia nervosa. Her parents, Linda and John, shared with me how Emilee’s illness began subtly, but escalated into a nightmare that consumed their family. “Anorexia hijacks lives,” Linda told me, her voice steady yet laced with the pain of loss.
Emilee was denied crucial medical coverage by her insurance company. She was allowed to fall through the cracks of our uneducated, uncaring healthcare system. “The insurance company let her down,” John added, echoing the frustration that fuels their mission today. It was evident in our talks that the Mazur’s are incredibly strong people and have put their pain into passion to help others.
The Book That Started it All
Available on Amazon
To honor Emilee’s last wish of sharing her story and preventing others from suffering the same fate, Linda and John poured their grief into action. In 2019, they co-authored the powerful book Emilee: The Story of a Girl and Her Family Hijacked by Anorexia.
This isn’t just a memoir; it’s a gut-wrenching exposé of the personal toll of eating disorders and the systemic failures that exacerbate them. Alternating between their narratives, snippets from Emilee’s own writings, and family photos, the book paints a vivid picture of love, loss, and the desperate fight for recovery.
It’s a call to arms, highlighting how eating disorders “erode the soul of the person and the relationships they have with themselves and others. It divides like nothing else. Connections are broken.” Readers have called it eye-opening, and a must-read for anyone touched by mental health struggles. If you’ve ever felt the isolation of an eating disorder, this book will resonate deeply, urging you to advocate for change.
The Emilee Connection is Born
But Linda and John didn’t stop at words on a page. In 2022, they founded The Emilee Connection, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to supporting adults battling eating disorders, and their loved ones. The organization embodies Emilee’s spirit of connection in a world where eating disorders thrive on disconnection.
Their mission is to provide peer support, education, and community resources that bridge the gaps in our healthcare system. “Shame and stigma prevent people from reaching out,” Linda emphasized during our talks. Through The Emilee Connection, they’re dismantling those barriers one conversation at a time.
How The Emilee Connection Defeats Isolation
Let’s dive into the incredible efforts they’ve built. First, their peer-led support groups stand out as a lifeline. These groups cater to adults with eating disorders, and separately to parents, partners, siblings, and friends. Held both virtually and in-person, they offer a safe space to share experiences, gain education, and explore ways to support loved ones.
Imagine sitting in a circle (or on a Zoom call) where no one judges, where stories of struggle turn into strategies for healing. John described how these groups help rebuild the connections shattered by the illness: “An eating disorder has the serious potential, if left untreated, to dissolve the soul. We want to help provide the support that is needed.” John and Linda believe access to care shouldn’t be a luxury. “We have met so many beautiful people in this process and we will keep fighting,” John said his determination palpable in our talk.
The Emilee Connection offers a limited number of scholarships for sessions for this vital care with therapists (and dietitians) trained in eating disorders, for adults 18 plus, who cannot afford this level of care. Sirona Therapy is proud to be part of this initiative.
There’s Always Hope
They opened up about their tremendous suffering, and the way Emilee’s illness “hijacked” their lives, the devastation of her loss, and their unbreakable bond with her. “We were extremely close to our daughter and were devastated by this loss,” they shared. Yet, amid the tears, there was hope. “There’s still hope. There’s always hope.”
Linda and John’s Courage Inspired Sirona Therapy to Help
John and Linda Mazur
My two meetings with Linda and John were inspirational. We connected over a shared passion for helping those with eating disorders, and agreed that associating my practice and their non-profit is excellent synergy.
It was an honor when they invited Sirona Therapy to partner with The Emilee Connection. Now, we can refer clients from their programs to our outpatient psychotherapy services with our trained clinicians.
This alliance aims to boost awareness, reduce suffering, and prove that eating disorders, a disease of disconnection, can be overcome through community and care, one client at a time.
Resources
If you or a loved one is grappling with an eating disorder, don’t wait. Reach out to The Emilee Connection at info@theemileeconnection.com. Join a support group, apply for a scholarship, or simply start the conversation.
As Linda and John remind us, “Emilee lost the battle.” But, through their work, countless others can win theirs. Let’s shine a light on the flaws in our healthcare system and build a world where no one falls through the cracks. Recovery is possible! Let’s make it accessible for all.