Back from the Brink

In last October's magazine, we covered the heart-wrenching story of Nelia Bosman, a longterm resident of Praia da Luz. She was suffering from anorexia, and feared she would die. Terrified, her sister-in-law Zenrika, appealed to our readers to donate to the fund to give her a chance at recovery.

Although Nelia was able to travel to a clinic in South Africa, in an amazing twist of fate, her recovery was due to an entirely different discovery. Here is her story:

Before

Now

I am telling my story as if it can help even one person to realise it is a fight worth fighting, then it is worth it.

When my dearest sister-in-law launched the appeal for help, I was in a desperate condition. I was critically underweight. My organs were shutting down. My blood test results caused great concern, and one doctor told me that if I didn't turn my eating habits around, I would not live another year. I was taking numerous anti-depressants and sleeping tablets. In short, my life was a mess.

Zenrika started the fund for me, and so many wonderful people donated money. Words can't say how grateful I am. I want to thank everyone that contributed, but especially Zenrika. Without the fund and your contributions, I believe I would not have been able even to start changing my life.

"I was devastated. After spending such a big part of the money my well-wishers has donated, I was in a worse position than before I left"

I left here on 8 September 2019, to go to the clinic in Cape Town. If you are looking for a clinic be very careful and preferably go to one where somebody that has been there can recommend it. This clinic was not at all suitable for my situation. It was more a place for younger girls or teenagers, who are just in the first stages of anorexia. They very soon told me that my case was too advanced for them, and I was in too a weak state for their level of treatment.

I was devastated. After spending such a big part of the money my well-wishers has donated, I was in a worse position than before I left. Thankfully we did manage to get reimbursement on leaving the clinic.

What I'm going to tell you now will maybe not be believable or acceptable for some people, but it is the honest truth.

A group of people in a small village called Douglas, in the Northern Cape in South Africa, heard of my desperate situation and invited me to come and live with them and allow them to give me spiritual guidance and spiritual therapy.

We talked to the people who had donated money, they all agreed that I could use it for the three and a half month stay in Douglas, and for travelling between Portugal and South Africa, and Capetown and Douglas.

I went with a heavy heart and many misgivings. How wrong I was. It was a life-changing experience with a wonderful group of people. They taught me to see myself through the Lord's eyes. To realise that He loved me just as I am. That only when I put my faith in Him and deny Satan the opportunity to destroy my life, will I have the strength to fight anorexia.

I am not claiming to have completely overcome the disease. But I have the strength and the tools to fight it, and I'm winning! I feel so grateful, happy and positive. I wish that I could help any or every person that suffers from anorexia to feel like me.

If there is anybody that wishes to speak to me about their suffering and struggle with anorexia, I would do my utmost to walk the road with them.

I was a wreck and not able to fill a meaningful position in the working environment, but I'm now healthy and strong and hope that something will turn up for me after COVID-19.

In the meantime, I help my mom in her shop and have enrolled in Portuguese classes.

Praise the Lord and bless everybody that contributed to my recovery.

Nelia's walk to freedom

Nelia's return to Portugal