Lilli Glowatzki developed severe anorexia nervosa at the age of 15. By the age of 17 at the end of 2000, Lilli was no longer well enough to attend school and her parents had become very worried about her physical and emotional condition. In February 2001, Lilli's weight dropped below six stone.
Unable to find any help for their daughter in Cork, the Glowatzkis arranged an appointment for their daughter at St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin. They were told their daughter was suffering from anorexia nervosa but the hospital had a very long waiting list for their three eating disorder hospital beds and only the worst cases on the list would be admitted - at five and a half stone, Lilli wasn't one of the worst cases, according to her family.
They were sent back to Cork and told their daughter should see a therapist there and get an eating plan from a dietitian. After looking for and failing to get the help they believed they needed for their daughter at UCC, St John of God's and St Patrick's in Dublin, her father, Thomas, brought Lilli to a specialised eating disorder hospital in his native Germany in January 2002. She was on the brink of death at 4.8 stone. At this stage, she was unable to walk and was no longer able to keep her malnourished body warm even with layers of clothes, duvets and electric blankets.
"I knew I had to do something. Whatever tax I pay, whatever health insurance contribution, whatever we tried, I knew my daughter would only survive if I brought her abroad and paid the costs myself," he says.
On arrival at the hospital in Germany, Lilli was immediately examined medically and then sent to the intensive care unit. Her parents were told her chances of survival were very slim.
After six weeks of intensive care, Lilli slowly came back to life. Fortunately her family were financially able to cover her medical costs and Thomas was able to stay with her for three months. "I know, if we hadn't had the money then, my wonderful daughter would be dead by now."
On her return from Germany in April 2002, Lilli starting to attend the Marino Therapy Centre as an outpatient and today she is fully recovered and is sitting her Leaving Cert.
Thomas Glowatzki has set up a support groups called ED Contact (www.edcontact.com)