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Jennifer Dumke: Finding Strength to Rebuild a Life with an eating disorder By Margaret Pennock Photos by Maggie Sweets Photography
*This article contains information that may be triggering for individuals with an eating disorder.
O
n the surface, Jennifer Dumke seems like she has it all; a wonderful family with a loving husband and a precious daughter on the brink of becoming a teen, a good career, beauty and intelligence. However, Jenn, as her friends call her, has been fighting an invisible demon for more than twenty years that has nearly destroyed her. A recovering anorexia nervosa survivor, Jenn acknowledges that her eating disorder has caused chaos for her and her loved ones and has come to accept it will likely be a struggle for the rest of her life. But thanks to coping mechanisms such as a focus on fitness, routine counseling and meetings with a trained nutritionist, at least she has a life to live. Sharing her story and fight has never been easy. Up until recently, it had been somewhat of a secret. “My disease was like my invisible best friend,” she adds. “Although most would argue not a very good one.” After years of struggling, she is finally opening up about the reality of living with an eating disorder. By sharing her experiences, she wants to be an advocate for others to recognize and find the courage to seek help for this destructive disorder. Growing up, Jenn was a typical girl who struggled with the common issues of a changing body, self-esteem and acceptance. Shooting up to 6 feet tall at a young age didn’t help. “I had some thoughts about how I looked but who doesn’t when they are at that age.” It wasn’t until she attended college that she found the influence of a “health-minded” roommate who helped her discover the tools to take control over her weight. “It started out innocent and fun. I began eating super healthy and began working out. I also was primarily walking to my classes so I can’t image how much fuel I was burning.” As her weight dropped, she received sincere compliments. But despite the pride she felt having control over her image, she secretly plunged into true darkness with her first experience with anorexia nervosa. It wasn’t long before her friends threatened to call her family, which never materialized. “I still remember standing on a physician’s scale and slowly tapping the lever further and further to the left until it balanced. It felt great standing on that scale and seeing the numbers.” Stepping off was a different story. Weakness, out of breath, dizzy, cold all the time; simple tasks became more difficult but I was determined to stay on course. I was fully addicted and nothing would have made me turn around at that point.”
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SiouxFallsWoman.net | April/May 2021
