Testimonials on Payson Road

If you don't think you can recover, then read what some of the members of our online group are saying...

Read our Recovery Commitment

"Payson Road is a place for healing. When I found it the first time, I was not ready for recovery. Honestly, I was still looking for methods to become a 'better bulimic'. I didn't find those at Payson Road. I found hope instead. I found creative outlets to express myself. I found ways to 'purge' those feelings, without the physical act of purging, but through writing and talking. It is unlike any other site I have seen. Many people define themselves through their disease, wrongly thinking that bulimia is what makes them special. Payson Road offered me a different viewpoint. I am not my disease. I am me, and Payson Road has helped me figure out just who that is. I have been free from my bulimia for 47 days, and every day I thank God that I found this site. It changed my focus from wanting to be a 'better bulimic' to wanting to be a 'better me'. - Leslie Freeman

Everyone must travel down a road in their lives in order to get where they are going. Which road do we take? And, where are we going? I can't answer either of those questions for anyone, but I can tell you the answer for my own self. I took the road called Payson Road. As women with eating disorders, we must choose to become healthy; mentally, physically and spiritually. We must empower each other and help each other onto the right path.
Payson Road is here for just that. – Missy Fiquet

Without this site I would not be on the path to recovery after being bulimic for more than 14 years. Through Payson Road I've felt understood and inspired to try and break the addictive cycle of my eating disorder. – Alicia Keenon

At Payson Road, we're very proud of our Mascot the Butterfly, who we've affectionately named "Missy" after one of our members who's recovery commitment exemplifies the true meaning of what the butterfly represents--the cycle of change and rebirth. My hope for everyone that comes to Payson Road whether it be as a Post it Member, an Online Group Member or just a Site Visitor, is that they follow the path of our butterfly. We are here to support and help everyone on the journey that ultimately leads to spreading their own wings. Recovery is the goal.

Missy Fiquet has been a member of our Online Support Group. She came in like many of us wrapped in a cocoon. Struggling with bulimia and unable to find a way out. But with Payson Road's support along with the support of her therapist and family, she is ready to fly. And I have all the faith in the world that she will paint the sky with glorious colors.

Missy's final post to the Online Group symbolizes a true Payson Road success story and captures the true meaning of our mission. Here it is. May we all find our wings!

Hey Everyone!

In case you are wondering where in the world I have disappeared to, I am fine and making lots of progress in my recovery. After deep thought and long consideration, I have decided that it is time for me to move onward in a different direction with my recovery. I still want to be a part of Payson Road by writing my stories and submitting them to The Corner when I have time and visiting the Poetry Wall and Mind & Body Section, etc..., but now, it is time for me to focus on my life outside of Payson Road too. It is time, but more importantly, I am strong enough to spread my wings and fly!

I have always loved the butterfly that Sarah has made as her logo for Payson Road. It is such a perfect symbol of how recovery works. We start off as caterpillars and make our little cocoons, then grow into this beautiful butterfly! My cocoon period was with all of you. I felt safe. I could finally talk about my bulimia to someone and know they understood. I built relationships with some of you and built trust in our friendships. Thank you!

All of you have been wonderful! You have been so supportive and you have all played such a huge part in my recovery. As I always say, thank you Sarah for creating this site and the channel you created so we could chat with others who have chosen to recover from this eating disorder and who understand. I am not unsubscribing. I just won't be actively participating. I sure did need this time with all of you! It was the only way I could get through a day (or minute in the beginning) without bingeing and purging.

I finally feel safe and confident that I can come out of my comfy cocoon and know that when things come up in my life that are hard that I will use the tools that I have been given, and I will deal with the hardships in a healthy manner. I am NOT saying that I will never binge and purge again, because as some of you know already, it will happen. It has happened to me several times in the past 6 months of my recovery. I am not saying that it is ok. I am just being realistic and I have learned not to set myself up for a let down. It is ok if I falter at times. I will slip up. I am not perfect. I am just trying to find a balance in life.

I have a therapist that I am currently working with which I feel is very, very important for anyone dealing with this dangerous disease.

It is time for me to focus on my marriage, family, friends, job, and most importantly, myself! I have said before that I was taking a break from the support group, but I still posted here and there. I really wasn't ready to break away, which was ok too. This has been a gradual process for me.

THANK YOU to my friends here. Without you, I would have never gotten to this point! If I need support like this again, I will come back. I am so proud to say that I belong to such a wonderful support group! I am so thankful that it will be here for me always for a long time to come. I will enjoy coming back every so often to watch the amazing recoveries happening and to always remind myself of where I came from and where I am heading. When I get there, I will let you know, if you will do the same!

Many of you have my e-mail address and I would love to hear how you are doing in your recovery process. I know that many of you have made big strides and you should be so proud of yourselves! I know that I am proud to have friends like you!!!! It does not matter if you are still struggling minute by minute not to binge and purge or if you have been binge/purge free for a long time. The point is that you are here! You have made a choice to recover! You are doing for yourself now, not for just others! Pat yourself on the back today!

I love you all. I hate good-byes so this is not a good-bye. I will just say, "See you at the end of the road to recovery. If we stick with it, we will never be lost. I think that Payson Road is a great map to recovery. It is a long road, but one that is rewarding!"

Website designed and administered by Sarah Mason, sarah @ paysonroad.com. Website Logo and Graphics Designed by Tahara Hasan. Payson Road was created Copyright © June 2, 2000. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2000-5 [Payson Road]. All rights reserved. Revised: .