Former Olympian Lisa Curry has thrown her support behind a first-of-its-kind eating disorder facility, saying it will “absolutely save someone else’s life” and spare families the grief she lives with every day.
Curry, who lost her daughter Jaimi in 2020 following a long health battle, shared the experience of attending the launch of The House of Hope on The Morning Show on Thursday.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: House of Hope opens for eating disorder recovery
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
“It was actually very triggering for me to be there because you always think it would have helped, but it certainly would have been able to help if it was here years ago,” she said.
“I absolutely know for a fact that having a facility like this will absolutely save someone else’s life and save that person’s parents from going through what we go through every day.”
Curry said it was important for her to continue telling Jaimi’s story, saying she is now “her voice” in raising awareness.
“Where there is life, there is hope,” she said.
“Everyone knows someone who’s going through it.”
The House of Hope, launched by charity endED, is designed to support the 1.1 million Australians living with eating disorders, providing care for those who fall between hospital treatment and rehabilitation.
The facility was created by Mark and Gayle Forbes, who founded endED after two of their daughters were diagnosed with eating disorders.
“Everyone had the same story. There was nowhere in Australia that really supported recovery for eating disorders,” Mark said.
The couple sold their home and used their superannuation to fund the initiative, building on their earlier residential facility, Wandi Nerida.
The new site includes a village of eight tiny homes built by at-risk youth, creating a dedicated recovery environment.
Mark said recognising the issue is often the first hurdle.
“A lot of people think they are in charge… but they soon find themselves down a slippery slope where it takes over their lives,” he said.
“Our lived experience team will meet them where they are… and congratulate them,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
