Occupational Therapy News OTnews February 2020 | Page 35

‘‘
Yarn bombing is a
form of street art where
objects or structures are
decorated with knitted and/
or crocheted material.
EATING DISORDERS FEATURE
School pupils, teachers, parents and other
pedestrians stopped to read the myth busting
labels and speak to staff. People driving past
also pulled in and got out of their cars to have
a look.
One member of the public emailed Riverdale
and said: ‘I just had to write to let you know
how amazing I think your display outside
Riverdale is. I pass there daily on my route to
work and I have spent time considering all the
powerful words written. I have pondered who has
written them and I have hoped that they appreciate
how very informative and well received their words have
been. Indeed their words have given an intimate insight
into what anorexia is. The words are food for thought
and I will remember many of thoughts that you have
shared.’
Another commented on photographs of the yarn
bombing on Riverdale’s social enterprise’s Instagram
account (@edawarenessbyriverdale) and had this
to say: ’[It was] touching to read some of the cards
produced by the people at Riverdale. Keep strong and
keep going #edawarenessbyriverdale.’
It is worth noting that this encounter also involved
a conversation with the member of the public’s young
daughter and an explanation about struggles with food;
de-stigmatising the illness for the next generation.
A wide range of people, both clinical and non-
clinical, have participated in the Yarn Bombing Project,
and it has been a significant way to raise awareness
and let the voices of people living with eating disorders
be heard.
It has been a pleasure to be a part of this project
and showcase the hard work the patients of Riverdale
put in every day.
I know that my engagement in this project will inform
my future practice and I encourage other occupational
therapists to consider how they can facilitate ways for
their patients’ voices and lived experiences to be heard.
References
Bastian BB,Griffiths S, Aitchison D, Murray SB and Mond JM
(2018) How might eating disorders stigmatisation worsen
eating disorders symptom severity? Evaluation of a stigma
internalization model, International Journal of Eating
Disorders, 51(8):1010-1014
Daley JR, Hart LM, Stukas AA, Petrovic K, Bouguettaya A
and Paxton SJ (2016) Interventions to reduce the stigma
of eating disorders: A systematic review and meta-
analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50 (3):
210-230
Siana Glen, occupational therapist, Riverdale Grange
OTnews February 2020 35