Thank you, Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for saving my life. One week from today, I will celebrate one year of abstinence – no purging, no restricting, and no over exercising. At this time last year, my whole life had fallen apart. I look back and can’t believe how depressed and hopeless I was. My eating disorder had taken over my life and I just wanted to die. I wanted to give up. Thank God there was some fight left in me when I found Rader. I never would have dreamed that my life would take me where I am today. I am so thankful for my experience and the people that I have met during my recovery, including each and every one of you. When I came to Rader, I was broken. You slowly helped me piece myself back together and now, one year later, the puzzle is closer to being solved. My life is no longer chaotic but rather purposeful, healthy and kind. I no longer feel as though the walls are caving in on me because I have learned to cope without using my eating disorder to get through the tough times. My relationships are healthy and meaningful, especially with my parents. When I came to Rader, I was ready to give up all hope on having a relationship with my mother. She was toxic and a huge trigger for me. Thanks to the phone sessions with Angelina, I am closer to both of my parents than ever before. We haven’t fought in over six months and I am able to actually spend time with them and share myself with them. This is so important to me, as I have always valued family. I believe that these relationships have changed because Ed is no longer in my life. I know that recovery is a process, but as I reminisce about the past year, Rader is a huge part of my memories. Without your help, I never would have found myself. I am so happy and content now. I am actually happy with myself. This has given me the confidence that I need to pursue other paths in my life. Last year, I felt as though my life was over, my dreams had been taken away, and there was no use in living. Today, I have started my own pet sitting business to pursue my dream of working with animals. Also, I live in the moment and take pleasure in life’s simplicities. For the first time, I notice the leaves falling off the trees, rays of sun beaming through the clouds, children’s innocence and happiness. Most importantly, I love myself and I value my life. Thank you again for helping me break the cycle of my eating disorder, for giving me hope and believing in me when no one else did, for showing me that there was a different life out there to live. For being the special people that you are, dedicating every day to helping people reach their full potential. Words will never be able to describe the gratefulness that I have for you,

Sincerely,
Karin Anne

Today, I found myself hunting down your homepage... remembering two and a half years ago desperately searching for answers, and thankfully finding you. I am 27 years old and living binge and purge free. I have Rader to thank for much of my new life, for that is what you helped me find. A life. I was bulimic for close to 13 years of my life. I never dreamed I'd find a man that could love a less than perfect looking me, and never in a million years did I think I could ever go through the experience of having a child... a son...who was eight months old as of yesterday. The Rader staff is unquestionably the most caring, and nonjudgmental group of angels I've run across... and in my heart are so very very missed (I say that with a smile). I hope that many more can find that while recovery is a day by day challenge, and sometimes we slip, but we don't have to fall, it can offer a life outside the compulsion. I'm grateful to Rader, and all the Raderettes (patients I went through the program with) for the support and guidance down a brighter path. ... You will all be forever in my heart when I remember that time in my life.

Thank you all again, and God Bless,
Love,
Mary

I just don't know how to put into words what Rader has done for me. Through Rader I have made life long friends. People who love me unconditionally and are there for me whenever I need them, Staff and clients included. What Rader has done for me is let me know that I am worth love and happiness and I am worth taking care of. Taking care of myself not having someone else take care of me. When I came to Rader I was at the bottom, rock bottom. I wanted to end it all and had planned it. I though that I would give it one more try. This is my third try at recovery. God put me at the right place at the right time with the right people. I could not have done it without your staff. They held my hand, wiped my tears, held my head up and encouraged me and loved me. They guided me to finding the faith deep down inside that was hidden and scared. They cleansed my torn flesh and bandaged my broken heart. ... They let me know that I was worthy of so much more than I ever thought. It is something that a mere thank you is not enough. I cannot put into words what Rader has given me. The passionate and fierce dedication that your therapists offered is unbelievable. Never have I seen someone more dedicated to saving so many lives. They are beyond means, awesome! They have become my mentors. I could not have done it without them all or the rest of the staff. From the maintenance man to the top.

With sincere love and admiration,
Faith

You have helped me to find my smile again and no words can say how much that means to me, and how grateful I am to have been in your presence and have had the opportunity to learn from you.

Emily

Before I went to Rader Programs I was in very bad shape. I was extremely depressed and in very poor physical health. I was about to give up hope. ... I let my eating disorder take over all aspects of my life. I planned everything around food. I even got kicked out of my gym because I was so thin, ... I decided to call Rader, and it was the best thing I ever did. It was very tough and I really fought the program at first, but with the loving staff I began to come around. I had to give up the control and start to eat, drink and work the program. After a month of the inpatient and two weeks of the outpatient program, I got to go home and resume my life. Things are really getting better for me, I'm enjoying life again, which I didn't think was possible. I feel much better physically and emotionally. I see my family and am able to be the kind of mother my son needs and deserves. I go to barbecues, movies, bowling and other social events. I'm actually beginning to like myself again. ... I am very grateful to the staff at Rader; they never gave up on me. I really believe with the help of the program and my higher power, I will continue to get better one day at a time.

Judy

... Just a note to say thanks for all your help and support. I admire you greatly. You helped to save my life and for that I thank you.

Love to you,
Shan

... Thanks for allowing me to be vulnerable. Giving me courage to stutter through. To not run away, to express my rage in a responsible way (without hurting myself or others). For sharing your own experiences, strength and hope. For your childlike innocence vulnerability, and strength of a warrior, protecting those she cares for. Thanks for confronting me and reminding me that I have the mind of a food addict- rationalizing and justifying. ... Thanks for giving me the courage to not hide behind my secrets. To be open to who I am. Accepting it. Thanks.

Love,
Lisa

I just wanted to take a minute out of my day and let you know how special you have become in my life. Thank you for helping me get my life back. …I have learned so much from being at Rader. Thanks for laying it straight. What you did for me is what I needed to see and hear. Thanks for the hugs and support. I will never forget these past three weeks. I found the joy to live and desire that it is okay to not be perfect.

Love,
Tonya

I am writing to you as a former client of Rader Programs. I think it is important that I tell you from a client's perspective about the wonderful care I received from some of your amazing staff! First of the Clinical Director was the reason I feel I was able to find recovery at Rader. He showed me compassion and such deep concern and he made me feel safe to do the inpatient program. He is a wonderful man, a great guide and leader; he is truly a hero to me. I will be forever grateful to him. You should also know that, the two lead counselors are the best counselors that I have ever had the privilege to work with. They are both very different in style but equally dedicated and effective. The fitness instructor was always there for me. He is kind, knowledgeable and very dedicated. The nurses were sweet, kind and very supportive. The day mental health worker was always an inspiration too. And my assessment counselor was the reason I put my trust in your program in the first place. All the staff I mentioned mademe feel safe and were very instrumental in my recovery.

Thanks, Warm regards for making this program available.
Dawn

I am not sure what words to use to describe to you just how grateful I am for your treatment program. Your staff is caring, supportive, knowledgeable, wise, loving, honest and dedicated. Your program saved my life and gave me the strength and courage to recover. Your staff will always have a place in my heart.

Susan

I was in your program when I was seventeen and struggling very hard with this disease. At the time I thought I would never get better. I am 22 now and doing very well, your program is God sent, and I know it saved my life. The time I spent in Rader, was I time I hold very close to my heart the counselors and the people in the program go through my mind daily, especially as I have gotten older. Right now I am an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and I am slowly finishing up with a degree in athletic training. Also I give talks in high school classrooms on eating disorders, and the response I have received from that age group is amazing. As for my love life I found a wonderful man whom words cannot even describe, and thanks to Rader I know how to communicate with him in such an open and non-dysfunctional way. I still take life Day to Day, and I have my bad days because I am not perfect! Who ever may get this email please tell the people whom are in the program there is hope, I never in a million years would have thought I would be where I am today and be this happy. I wish I could put into words the thanks I owe to everyone who worked with me and work at Rader today. May God bless you in everything you do for all of these wonderful people who need your help, love and guidance to a wonderful life that is so well deserved.

God Bless,
Kimberly

I don't know exactly who this email goes to. Whether it be Dy or Dr. Radar or whoever, I still felt like I needed to write. I haven't been on this website since before I was a patient there and to be honest, it brought me to tears for some reason. I don't know if it's because of all I have learned from Rader, the friends I've made there, or the counselors I miss, but emotions are blazing. I don't know if I can thank anyone enough for my experience there. I do know this: I am so much further in my recovery in just one year from the help you were able to provide me through the hospital and amazing staff, and the wonderful friends I made. Basically, I don't know why I'm even emailing, it was just something I had no control over, I just felt I needed to. I'll never forget Dy and his dramatic humor and ability to level with the patients, Heather or Jennifer for never giving up on me in primary process group, no matter how much of a jerk I was being, Ms. Katy for always taking care of me and Andrea, Jake for being so fun to be around...ugh...just everyone. I met the person that changed my life there. I'll forever be thankful for that. Well, considering I don't even know where this email goes to, i'll shut up now. But if there is a separate email for Heather, I would love to have it to email her and tell her how I am doing and thank her. Also, an email for Dy, because I think about that place everyday. I am so grateful for the coping skills I learned there, and for the ability to now have a better relationships with the ones I love, and just other people around me. I don't think there is one day that passes that I do not think about Rader, or make a reference to it, and that's what really brings a smile to my face. The fact that a place has helped my life change...hell, it's given me a life. Thanks again. I'll never forget.

Mae

Hi there, This is Kaitlin (Bam bam ). You probably won't remember me, but I will always remember and miss my family at Rader. The other patients at Rader touched my heart and saved my soul. I also got so much insight and support from the over-all program and especially want to thank Louis, (I am still on her meal plan, plus a few scary things I like to throw in there to make things challenging!), Jennifer, and Dy especially. If he remembers who I am, tell him that I am finally out on my own with my own apartment and actually am holding down a job! So I am on my way to becoming the "woman" I was meant to be, and Dy had a big part in making me realize that was vital to my recovery. I think about the staff and especially my fellow "fighters" everyday and miss them tremendously, thanks for helping me regain a life for myself, a part of my soul, and making me realize that it is possible to have friends and others who care about you for who you are.

Love to all,
Kaitlin

I think about the Rader Programs, the Rader Staff and my Rader Family every day! I am so grateful for my new found freedom. You and your staff saved my life. I will never forget this blessing you have given me. I can not thank you enough. I love life, I love freedom, I love myself.

Thank you!
Kim

To all my friends at Rader; When entering Rader I had been dealing with anorexia/bulimia for 24 years and was dead tired. As my journey at Rader began I was an angry little monster with not much of a memory my first 4 days. I had not eaten or slept for the last couple of months as well as exercising up to 7 hours a day. I wanted the help, needed the help though having so much anger at who I was did not help my recovery … I could not deal any longer. When that loss of control starts, the eating disorder becomes my best friend and entire life. At 42 I could no longer continue this road to destruction. I was going to die if I did not stop. Strangely enough one of my biggest fears is death. How twisted the mind can be when we are striving for that exact thing with out realizing it and having such a fear of it. I have a new life today, I can eat, enjoy life, sleep, and I still continue to process assignments and send them to my beloved Candy who would get on the floor in my face and make me decide the way to deal with the situation. Bless her heart. I need my daily journals for me, and assignments for me. Recovery from the eating disorder is the hardest job I have ever had in my life. If not for Rader I would not be sitting at my computer typing this letter, I would be dust in the wind over a lake. I thank so many of you for being who you are, how you do it, and most of all, saving my life! I am now involved in ANAD and plan to travel with a prior Raderette here in my home town and give it away by speaking to the younger girls and boys at the schools in hopes of saving just one from this ugly cycle. I thank and love you for your help every day when I open my eyes.

Always in my heart,
Pam

My name is Andria. I wanted to let you know about some of the outstanding employees I came across during my stay. It is almost hard to use the word employees because they have touched me in such a personal way. Amelia, Berry, Virgie and Sheena are all Nurses. They do their job with such care and consideration. I never felt like I was bothering them or putting them out in any way. Amelia is especially kind and empathetic. Brianna, Angie and Frances are also wonderful CNA’s. They are there if you just need someone to talk to in a capable and personable way Veronica, discharge planning, and Cindy health / exercise, are excellent in everything I’ve ever seen them do and always look forward to attending the groups they lead and I get the feeling they really do want to help. One of the brightest moments of my stay here was waking up on Christmas morning and finding slippers hanging on everyone’s door that Cindy has knit herself. Beth, Cindy and Veronica represent what I would someday wish to become confident, self-assured and assertive. I feel the biggest asset is Jocelyn, she is a counselor who is worth ten times her weight in gold. I’ve worked with many counselors, therapists and psychiatrists and I can recognize a wonderful combination of everything it takes so that a person feels comfortable enough to become vulnerable in their presence. Jocelyn definitely has it! She radiates warmth, caring, and empathy. She speaks impartially, non-judgmentally and with just enough force to get you to look at yourself without scaring you off. I’ve made so much progress being in her progress group and in the private sessions we’ve had. She is really someone special. Dr. Mendiola has understood me and my problems unlike anyone. The person in charge of holding these remarkable people together is Dy. The family groups Dy runs on the weekends are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They are little and sometimes BIG miracles of healing. I have seen so many examples of how committed he is to making sure every single person gets the best possible care. Just in the time I was here he worked seven days a week, dressed up like Santa Claus and read to us late on Christmas Eve and called in at 5:30 a.m. while on vacation. It’s obvious this is more than a job to him. I just wanted to send you this letter about these amazing people who really helped me break down the walls that were keeping me from my recovery.

Sincerely,
Andria

Hello All, My name is Elizabeth and I am a recovering/recovered bulimic. I was a patient of yours about five years ago. I'm writing to thank you all again for the wonderful care that I received from Rader. Without that treatment, I know that I would not be where I am today. I came to you lost and desperate for help and I left with the tools I needed for my recovery. I'm very proud to say that the past four and a half years have been binge/purge free. I was 18 then and just beginning on my college path. I recently graduated from Hunter College in NYC with a BS degree in nutrition and food science, go figure:) You see, your program helped me to see food in a whole new way, a healthy way. I felt my obsession turn outward and I just want to help others understand food/eating behaviors the way I do now. I'm currently in the process of completing my dietetic internship and look forward taking the registration exam this summer. Oh, I'm so grateful. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You've done more for me than you will ever know.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth