In Memory of Polly Ann Williams {1974 - 2008}

This is my video tribute to Polly Ann Williams, who featured in the HBO documentary, "Thin" (2006). When watching the documentary for the first time, I saw that Polly really stood out amongst the group of sufferers of eating disorders who were filmed during their treatment at the Renfrew Centre ( Coconut Creek, Florida, USA) I was truly amazed by Polly and her attitude towards others, her recovery and the prospect of living life fully. She had an amazing fiery spirit, very raw honesty and integrity, a caring and kooky personality, a strong desire to always help those around her and a wonderful gift in photography. Polly shone, even though she was very ill, and you could see the core inner strength she embodied. Polly had clear determination to defeat her eating disorder and move on with life. However, during her stay at Renfrew, Polly had given another patient and friend, Shelly, who was emotionally struggling at the time, a mood stabilizer tablet (300mg Neurontin) which Shelly had been taken off of. Polly had also gotten a tattoo with another resident, which was against the rules. This was discovered by staff during a room search and Polly was kicked out of the facility the following day. Behind her back, Polly had received comments such as "She's the ringleader", "She's a bad seed." and "She obviously has a very negative power." Whilst I believe that Polly's actions were wrong, she did not intend harm and at the end of the day, she had made honest mistake, which all of us as human beings are guilty of. I believe that this was absolutely no form of a justified action on behalf of the facility and Polly was still deserving of care. After this setback, Polly was no longer able to receive inpatient care for her eating disorder and despite her fight against it, lost her life due to the horrors her Anorexia brought her, passing away on February 8th 2008. It is unclear whether Polly took her own life through prescription medication overdose, or whether the overdose was accidental, yet her family stated that her death was the result of "a combination of emotional and mental issues". I suffered from Anorexia Nervosa for nearly nine years of my life (I am now 18) and when I watched this documentary, I saw in Polly a flawless understanding of eating disorders. I know she could of gone on to help others. Whilst Polly would not have wanted to have helped in this way, her death is a reminder to us as a society that eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with serious consequences. I believe that if free health care to all and improved services in the private health insurance policies were available in the USA, this death may not have occurred. Polly should not have died. She was 33. If one could only take one thing away from this death, it can be that there are people, like Polly, who are no longer with us due to eating disorders, and we can fight these diseases and go on to live the life that we, and all, deserve to pursue. Polly's life motto was simply "Believe."
Rest In Peace, Polly.

Further information regarding Polly can be found:
http://www.laurengreenfield.com/index.php?p=KDWKQT5H
("Thin" filmmaker Lauren Greenfield reports on Polly's passing.)

Online condolences to Polly's family can be made here:
http://www.morrisbaker.com/home.html

Please make a donation in memory of Polly here:
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Please, only post positive and caring comments. Rude, hateful and ignorant comments will not be accepted.

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• bulimia
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[AlexisAlways1]

To the person who designed this video, thank you. It's touching. I recall my fight with "Ed" and root cause. I've been in recovered for 17 years. No, it didn't happen 30, 60, 90 days, etc. Everyone is different. One center might work for you while it might not for another. You have to want to get better. I know how scary it is believing "Ed" is good for you, etc. I know how you feel. It's always helpful talking with someone who's been where you are now. You're NOT alone and YOU can beat "Ed!"

[sraphael]

@AlexisAlways1 Thank you for that beautiful comment. :)

[xmcflyarelejsx]

that insurance shit is a joke there should be free healthcare. rip <3

[patunya17]

:,/ R.I.P, the treatment center should have let her stay!

[Marcela69ish]

:(

[sotrsab]

@AlexisAlways1 try to prove it

[mielkay71]

The HBO documentary "Thin" was filmed 2 years before it was televised. Polly died 4 years after filming. She was the most likable out of the community but giving somebody medication was dangerous.

[39littlemisssunshine]

This makes me so sad. I feel bad for Polly for getting kicked out. Who cares if she got a tattoo? And of I ever go back to treatment, I sure as hell won't be going to renfrew.

[AlexisAlways1]

I was very sad when a client told me about Polly's passing. I knew once Renfrew kicked her out she lost hope. I don't like Renfrew both personally and professionally. Polly reminded me of myself. I don't like centers who punish, locked units, level/phase systems, don't believe in recovery/cured from e/d, think it's about food and weight, etc. I recommend centers where founders, directors, and/or staff battled e/d and other addictions, honesty care, etc. I enjoy helping people and their families.

[TheBlondebabe19]

:'(

[1d1jvl]

Why do hospitals have to punish you on your birthday by making someone who is trying to overcome anorexia choke down a fat filled over sweet cupcake? Shes only going to feel disgusted & disgustinf after. Why couldn't she have had the bran muffin she wanted? It certainly is the more healthy way. How sad for anas.

[angelosinger82]

I remember first watching this Doc , and just breaking down in tears...Polly was def one of the people who stood out to me the most, and though i never knew her, I was deeply affected by her death....Her story any many others have given me the strength to come out with my story, and share my experiences, bulimiaaffectsall.blogspot.com I suffered the disease for 11 years