the niece update

As noted a few days back, my niece is in hospital thanks to her ongoing inability to eat stuff. It's not a constant refusal to eat, and it's taken the hospital the last few days to actually spot how serious the problem is - they were initially telling my sister it must be a problem that only emerged at home.

They have now diagnosed her with an eating disorder, dragged in a seven person health team and the Department of Community Services, and decided that keeping my nine year old niece in hospital for cognitive behavioural therapy until she shows signs of significant weight gain is a Good Plan. I agree, and frankly I'm relieved to see it finally happening. Her manipulative attitude to eating has been an issue since she was three, and there are now some serious concerns about her physical, psychological and intellectual development because of her limited eating patterns.

I know this is going to be a long and difficult ride for my sister and her family, but I'm glad it's happening. I just wish I could do more myself.