Monday, February 8, 2010

Center For Change!

So here it goes.. I replied to someone on a message board who was asking questions about the center, so I figured I'd post it here to let you know more about it!
So I'm answering questions here.. Stay with me! Loves!

I'm not sure exactly how many beds are on the units.. Maybe16 On IP? 16-20 on RTC? That's just my guess though. I just got out Jan 21st, so I'm trying to remember the # of rooms by counting in my head.. lol :)

I believe they have 6-12 IOP/Day treatment patients at a time, though I could be wrong. We didn't really work with them, just exchanged pleasantries in passing.

They have a lot of outings there. You can't go on phase 1, but once you get to phase 2 (Which takes a minimum of two weeks to get to), you get to go on an outing on Fridays and Saturdays- as well as church on Sundays if you want to. There are like 6 churches you can go to- but only one a week. So like one week it'll be catholic, the next week Methodist.. Etc.

When you reach phase two, you also go on a lunch outing with your dietitian- which is always a highlight! You get to choose anywhere you want and don't have to pay. It's great :) lol

Once you get to RTC, you get to on on outings Wednesdays and twice on Saturdays. If you want, you can also go to courage reins on Tuesday mornings- That's where you go and help physically disabled 2-3 year olds ride on horses!! It's SUCH an amazing experience.

When you get to phase 3 (On RTC), every other Monday you have the opportunity to go on the social outing- A bunch of you guys get to go shopping at the mall or wherever you guys want and get to go out to lunch together. It's so great!

There is also cooking class every Monday. It's pretty much genius.

The transitional is great- though I never had the opportunity to go through it. Some of the groups are w/ RTC girls, some aren't. It just all depends! They have a LOT more freedom and they are trusted. They also make their own meals more often, it's pretty helpful (So I hear!). I can't explain all that much about it though, as I never experienced that part.

When you are on Plated/100% you have to eat all of what you are GIVEN. You can't choose- though you can get extras if you wish. Then you get on Family Style, and you can serve yourself- but it has to be the first option. You can choose your sides and everything, but you still have to eat 100% of what you take. Then comes Advanced Family Style, where you can choose whatever you want- but still have to eat 100% of what you plate yourself.

After that comes intuitive- where you can get whatever you want, and eat until you feel satisfied. Of course they still record everything you eat, and your dietitian can take you off of intuitive if you aren't eating enough.

They do feeding tubes if you refuse boost twice. You can't really refuse the tube. They are very strict and make sure you get the best care you can and can actually recover. It's tough, but it works. If you are refusing medical treatment (the tube), they'll send you to the hospital or something. They can't be liable for you if you refuse medical treatment, ya know? Tough love- but you'll be grateful.

They deal with a lot of medical complications- after all, it's an EATING DISORDER clinic! Haha :)
What kind of medical complications do you mean? We had a girl with a brain tumor, I have epilepsy, a lot of girls have heart problems, I think one had diabetes.. And lactose-intolerance... There's prob. ore- so what kind of complications do you mean, if I may ask?

The therapy doesn't revolve around food at all. You and your dietitian work on food stuff together.. You and your therapist actually work on the real problems. The Eating Disorder is but a symptom. They help you recover from the actual problem- helping majorly to dissolve the Eating Disorder in doing so.

It's tough- you have to do actual work. But everyone is SO amazing there! You'll feel like you're home after being there for only a short time. It's such a soft and comforting environment. It truly is a place for hope and healing.The staff there is amazing, so tremendously helpful. They truly do care about you as an individual- as YOU.

..Anything else? I'd be glad to help in any way!!


http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=4&aid=-3&id=535104808#!/group.php?gid=266367132319&ref=ts

www.centerforchange.com

2 comments:

lisalisa said...

aw geez this made me homesick for good ol' CFC. Darn real world.

Linze Kate said...

You are such an amazing person. Really, your openness through all of this shows a great deal of courage and strength, and it IS going to bless the lives of other girls - I know it.

You're an inspiration and I'm proud to know you, girl!
*muah*