He’s winning the race of life

Jake Parisien is a state champion distance runner for Palmer High School, but it’s not just the medals and titles that make him a winner.

Like many young people, Parisien suffers from an eating disorder, an illness that came dangerously close to affecting his long-term health. A 2008 graduate of PHS, Parisien bravely and candidly shares his story in today’s edition.

A running phenomenon, Parisian’s star was rising in middle school while he, his coaches and family eagerly awaited what was to be a record-setting high school athletic career. Standing 5-foot 9-inches tall and weighing 138 pounds as an eighth-grader, Parisien was in top condition and growing into his own. But a sudden 20-pound weight loss and changes in his behavior put everyone on notice something was wrong.

Living with and fighting an eating disorder is considered by many a very private, solitary battle. That’s why we applaud people like Parisien, a local teen who recovered and won the 2008 3,200-meter title at this year’s ASAA 4A State Track and Field Championships (setting a state record in the process), who are willing to make public their private battles in hopes to help others.

Parisien starved himself, feeling he had eaten too much if he consumed more than about 300 calories in a day.

Unfortunately, his story will ring true with other young people in our community. We’ve devoted more space to Parisien’s story than a typical feature story because what he and those around him have to offer about dealing with eating disorders is important.

Although eating disorders are more prevalent in women, people of both genders suffer from them, the National Eating Disorders Association reports. It is estimated that as many as 11 million men and women struggle with dangerous disorders like anorexia or bulimia, and that only one-third of people with anorexia receive mental health care for the illness. More than 40 percent of newly identified cases of anorexia are in young people ages 15 to19. Teens like Parisien.

We were proud to report Parisien’s athletic achievements, as we are those of many local high school athletes. We are more proud to report Parisien’s biggest victory, which doesn’t come with a medal or a line in a record book. While the achievements of athletes can get our adrenaline pumping and our emotions charged, it takes a true champion to truly inspire us.

Thank you, Jake, for sharing your story and inspiring others to chase away their demons.