Contact: Linda Boron (740) 593-1433 or boron@ohio.edu
ATHENS, Ohio (February 20, 2001) -- In 1984 Tiffany Cohen realized a dream when she won gold medals in the 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle swimming events at the Los Angeles Olympics. Four years later she gave up her college swim career to battle what she describes as "the biggest challenge I've ever faced" -- the eating disorder, Bulimia. Ms. Cohen Adams will present "After the Thrill of Victory," an intimate account of her struggle and recovery from the powerful eating disorder, at Ohio University's Morton Hall, room 201, on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
"I realized I needed help when I was into my third year of eating disordered behaviors," said Ms. Adams. "That is when the physical complications really hit!" Ms. Adams was one of about eight million people who suffer eating disorders. Nearly 90 percent of those are women.
Although Ms. Adams came to the realization as a junior in college, "I did not get help until the middle of my senior year," she admitted. She appeared strong and capable on the outside, but during her presentation Ms. Adams describes her vulnerabilities, perfectionism, reckless behavior and how she used food to medicate her emotional and spiritual emptiness.
The International Swimming Hall of Fame member has been fully recovered for almost a decade and now shares her experience by acting as a spokesperson and advocate for the prevention of eating disorders across the United States. During the one-hour speech, video, and slide show Ms. Adams sends a message that with help, this terrifying disease is conquerable. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.
The Multi-Disciplinary Eating Disorder Task Force is coordinating the event with several units at Ohio University as joint sponsors. Sponsors include the College of Health and Human Services and units within that college: Campus Recreation, School of Recreation and Sport Sciences, School of Physical Therapy, School of Human and Consumer Sciences, and Future Dietitians Club. Other University sponsors include: School of Social Work, Athletics, Division of Student Affairs, and University Program Council.
The program is open to the public and there is no admission fee.
