A Wellesley family is looking to raise awareness for a mental disorder that affects mainly girls between the ages of 13 to 17 years old.
For the past seven years, the Kuepfer family has been dealing with the devastation that Anorexia Nervosa has caused their daughter, Jolene.
Her battle with the disorder started in the spring of 2005 when Jolene was hospitalized at McMaster Hospital for eleven weeks. She remained stable for the next four years but then relapsed.
After being hospitalized in Hamilton, doctors suggested their 17-year-old would be better off at a residential care facility in Utah.
Jolene was granted funding by OHIP to seek out of country treatment. There are 23 facilities in the United States that are covered by OHIP.
Miriam Kuepfer, Jolene's mom, says "She was really trying hard, but it got hold of her again. Just last month, we took her down again, she's in full-blown relapse and really, really struggling."
Saturday, The Kuepfer family hosted an event at the Wellesley Home Hardware to draw attention to the broken health care system in Ontario. It was an opportunity for families facing the disorder to talk about the challenges and provide each other with support.
John Kuepfer, Jolene's dad, says "What they need is some funding to create an off-site, more home environment and that's what they have out there in Utah."
The families are hoping to send a message to the Province about addressing issues surrounding the treatment and health care funding.
Kitchener-Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer was at the event and she says she'll bring the matter to Queen's Park this week.
