Actress Who Nearly Died When Her Weight Dropped To Just 40 Pounds Makes A Remarkable Recovery

A 5’7″ anorexic actress who once weighed a mere ’40-something’ pounds and was on the verge of death has made a miraculous transformation and put on almost all of the weight she lost as part of her recovery following her battle with anorexia nervosa. Rachael Farrokh, 37, from San Clemente, California, made headlines in May after posting a video detailing her decade long struggle with the disease. After well-wishers raised nearly $200,000 in online donations for her, she was able to tackle her growing medical bills and seek life-saving treatment. Less than sixth months after being bedridden and almost too gaunt to speak, the aspiring actress-turned-activist has gained back much of the weight she lost, telling NBC4 News that she is now dedicated to helping others with the disease. ‘I have a huge family and it is called the entire world,’ she explained.

Rachel and her husband, Rod Edmondson, who quit his job to become his wife’s 24-hour caregiver when her condition worsened, were among the hundreds of people who marched in Washington D.C. for the second annual March Against Eating Disorders on Wednesday where she explained why certain treatments failed her. ‘My body wasn’t responding to any of the treatment because they didn’t understand that the brain had to come along with the body,’ she told NBC4.

When she was ill, the eating disorder survivor sought treatment from numerous facilities, first in Denver, then in California, and finally at a clinic in Portugal – a decision that has made all the difference in her ongoing recovery. ‘I was finally treated with respect, and I didn’t know that I deserved it,’ she said.

Although she is still frail and has difficulty standing on her own, Rachael has made an amazing transformation and is looking to use her public recognition to help other families who are asking congress to mandate insurance coverage of inpatient care for people with eating disorders. ‘I have so many people backing me now, and I have a platform to actually create this awareness, and to sit on the sidelines is impossible for me any longer,’ Ms Farrokh said.

Dr. M. Duarte, the medical doctor in charge of Ms Farrokh’s case, wrote a post on her Facebook page earlier this week, explaining that she is walking for 15 minutes a day to gradually build up her leg muscles and improve her balance. ‘Rachael is at a safer place both medically and physically now, though she has a long way yet to go,’ the doctor explained.

And in August, she took to her Facebook page to praise the center in Portugal for helping fuel her recovery. ‘Their methodology of love and support to make the patient feel safe is something I had never been exposed to; it had only been the reward/punishment methods in all my past experiences with treatment,’ she wrote. ‘I have discovered safety and the feeling of security is essential for my recovery.’