Stand Tall, Little Girl: Facing Up to Anorexia

Description

For four years, Hope Virgo fought a gruelling internal battle, keeping her anorexia hidden from friends and family. Having pushed her health to breaking point, and with her skin turning yellow and her heart failing, it became impossible to hide. Barely recognisable, Hope was admitted to a mental health hospital in 2007. Twelve years on, Hope has been in recovery from anorexia for over a decade. But it hasn't always been an easy ride, and after a relapse in 2016 where she was refused help for 'not being thin enough', she knew she needed to raise awareness about the disease that almost took her life. And so, in August 2018, Hope launched the #DumpTheScales campaign, which calls on the government to review their guidance on support for eating disorders. Since then, with relentless campaigning, her petition has gained over 70,000 signatures and counting. Stand Tall, Little Girl is the inspiring account of how Hope fought back from rock bottom, built a healthy life for herself, and used her story to effect real change for others suffering from the same devastating condition. 'Both insightful and an inspirational story of recovery. This is a must read book' Dame Kelly Holmes 'Hope writes with incredible honesty and openness, her journey is truly inspirational' Jonny Benjamin, MBE

Hope is an award-winning mental health campaigner and author. She suffered with anorexia for over four years, before being admitted to a mental health hospital in 2007. She lived in the hospital for a year, fighting one of the hardest battles of her life. Since being discharged, she has fought to stay well. Hope is now at the stage of ongoing recovery, and uses her experiences of mental health illness to champion the rights of others, inspire them to get well, and help break the stigma of mental illness. She is a recognised media spokesperson, having appeared on platforms includingVictoria Derbyshire,Good Morning Britain, Sky News and BBC News.

'This honest account of Hope's struggle with anorexia is both insightful and an inspirational story of recovery. Her openness tackles the stigma around mental health. This is a must read book' -- Dame Kelly Holmes 'Hope writes with incredible honesty and openness, her journey is truly inspirational' -- Jonny Benjamin, MBE