My Mummy Eats

 

Dear Readers,

 

I covered the story of a mother suffering from EDNOS in 2014. I’ve known her since 2012, and it was a challenging task as the sufferer went through much turmoil, physical pain, depression getting to the point where she was threatened with a feeding tube. You can read it all here. Another challenge was dealing with a child involved in this story and his feelings regarding his mother. We often think our eating habits are our personal choice and have no impact on others, think again. I am very happy today both mother and son are doing very well. This story really shows the strength of the human spirit, and love; it shows Eating Disorders can be defeated. I hope this story will give you hope, it gives me hope every time I look at the picture of mother and son.

 

Our Holidays and Mummy’s Eating

In 2010, Daddy took me and Mummy to Europe. I was 6 years old then. It wasn’t a happy time. My Daddy was always telling me and Mummy to eat. In Pakistan, Mummy was very busy looking after everyone. We barely ate. Everyone said Mummy was very weak and they said I looked small for my age. Mummy and I did not like eating. I ate chocolates and chocolate sweets and that’s all. Mummy sometimes had half an apple; and sometimes when Noana visited, Mummy would walk around the house with her cup of milk. I even caught Mummy not drinking her milk.

We went to Europe and it was going to be lots of fun. But it wasn’t fun. In Italy, Daddy yelled at Mummy. She would not eat and I just wanted to have a plain dairy milk. We then went to Germany to see Daddy’s friends; and while in Germany, Daddy yelled at both of us. We would not eat the food Daddy ordered.  Daddy loved his food. Mummy had just one spoon of rice, while I had two.

When we got to Barcelona. Daddy said we both were grumpy frumpy Cats. In Barcelona, the doctor told us we both needed to eat, and that Mummy and I were under weight. Daddy went shopping and bought so much milk, juice, and other yucky things.

I was given a special milk, but I hated drinking it. Mummy also hated drinking milk.

And one day, Daddy forced both of us to finish our milk. Mummy cried, and I cried as well. When Daddy wasn’t home, we would not eat. Mummy would try to force me, but I wouldn’t eat. You’re not eating, why should I eat, I would tell her.

One Day Mummy’s friends came to visit us from England. Aunty told mummy we both needed to eat. She said she was very worried.

One day Daddy had to take Mummy to the doctor. He left me with Mummy’s friend. Mummy’s friend tricked me into eating my eggs, toast and made me drink my milk. She then tricked me into taking a shower and then she made me tidy my bedroom. She then took me shopping. We made Thai Chicken Soup and we ate the soup with the bread.  She told me only super heroes can eat this soup and she was going to eat the soup to get special powers. I wanted the special power as well, so I ate the whole bowl of soup.

Then Mummy’s friend left but she made me and mummy promise, we will eat. She was crying and mummy was crying. We made a pinky promise. And then, the shouting stopped as Mummy and I began to eat. We went back to Pakistan, and mummy got busy. We sometimes ate and other times we didn’t, and then Mummy got ill. She was always working and falling asleep. Though her leg was hurting, she wouldn’t stop working. Mummy always cooked and cooked for lots of people, and always went shopping. At night-time, she would cry because her leg would be hurting.

One day Mummy told me she had to go to Barcelona to get better. She hugged me and told me I had to be strong and eat.  She went to Barcelona and left me with lots of aunts and uncles. I was lonely. I missed her.

Mummy was away for a very long time. I stopped eating and I stopped playing. No one loved me the way she loved me. Mummy’s hugs were special. I missed her hugs.

And then Mummy came back. I was afraid, is she going to be all sad, crying, look yellow and ill and then fall asleep on the kitchen floor? But Mummy looked so beautiful.

Grandpa came to visit and we went out to eat by the riverside. He was very happy.

Mummy had no pain in leg. Mummy said she drank lots of milk to get strong and Mummy said she had super powers, so much power that she could even race me to the end of the garden and back.

And then Mummy and I began to eat together. We had to keep our pinky promise to Mummy’s friend.

This summer we are back in Barcelona. We spent our Ramadan and Eid here. We both are strong.  I go to summer camp and mummy goes to work. Mummy kept all her fasts and she wasn’t falling asleep on the kitchen floor anymore. Mummy has super powers and lots of strength.

Aunty M said she wanted to share my strong powerful story with everyone. So we took pictures to show you how I have become a very strong boy; all because I drink milk, eat all my veggies, and occasionally eat fish and chicken.

I am very strong, and while Daddy is away, I take care of Mummy. Mummy is always smiling and always looking beautiful now. She’s no longer yellow. We have to eat because food is our friend and gives us super powers.