Teens bring eating disorders awareness to community

Bekah Wommack was never large but felt like she was never skinny enough.

Elim Lee says she would look in the mirror and not see the same person others were seeing.

That is life with a eating disorder.

The two 16-year-old Columbus girls are both members of the Springer Theatre Academy and have started a campaign to help those who are struggling with these problems.

"We want to be a resource for others," Bekah said.

And they are using social media -- such as Facebook, Instagram and Tumblr -- to do so.

On Feb. 20, the girls, who have dubbed themselves as KindrED Kindness, because they have become kindred spirits, hosted an eating disorders awareness event at the Springer Opera House where they gave personal testimony amid other activities.

The girls used a $1,000 Kindness Grant from the academy to orchestrate the affair. The grant honors former director Ron Anderson.

"It was great," Elim said of the event.

"We had about 35-40 people, which is a lot for something like this," Bekah added.

Bekah is home schooled and has dual enrollment at Columbus State University. She is still recovering

from anorexia. Her condition got so bad that she needed to receive intense treatment at a facility in Florida.

"I lost substantial weight. My hair was brittle. I was very pale," she said.

She had a "high chance" of dying.

As a cause, she gave a struggle with perfectionism. Depression and anxiety were contributing factors, she said.

Elim attends Brookstone School. She said she started her first diet when she was in the fifth grade.

"I look at pictures of myself from the past and can't believe I ever thought I was fat," Elim said. "I just never felt my body looked right. It is a mental problem more than physical."

She said it is no wonder so many have a problem since the earliest compliments one hears in their life is about how they look.

"Appearance seems so important," she said.

Becoming a vegan has helped her. "I eat a lot of vegetables and fruit," Elim said.

The girls became acquainted with each other through social media. Both were writing about their struggles. Elim has a blog called "Elim Scribbles."

Bekah said it was fitting to have a program at the Springer to promote awareness of the problem because it is one that affects many in the performing arts.

"The arts are something very visually based," she said.

Elim said eating disorders are a "scary subject" and few want to come forward and admit they have a problem.

Bekah said she is pleased that recently the two have heard from people with an eating disorder.

"This is just the beginning," Elim said.

This story was originally published February 29, 2016 at 9:28 PM with the headline "Teens bring eating disorders awareness to community ."