With a bucket list as extensive as Ruby's you can easily see what she wanted out of life! 

Which is why I could never comprehend how clinicians,  who were part of her core team repeatedly held the ignorant belief that it was all in her head and she was anorexic. 

At no time did she give reason for this belief, unless not conceding to do something that she had either tried before and had an adverse reaction to or knew to be detrimental to her physical wellbeing.

Her symptoms of vomiting and weight loss could have led to this assumption but that would mean her notes hadn't been read and subsequent note taking had a professional bias that was then influencing her care. 

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This list was done a year prior to her loosing her battle. She had just been in hospital for a month admission and ended up on TPN

 

Ruby didn't give up. Ever. Defeated and exhausted but would wake up to face a new day and new challenge with tenacity and strength.

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I would encourage health practitioners to recall this example when dealing with a complex condition. To SEE their patient firstly and then HEAR their patient.

Their story is relevant. Who they are is relevant.

The person you may be just looking at is more than likely unwell, exhausted, anxious, and dealing with all manner of emotions. The person you SEE is the person you should be treating.

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