В Уэльсе прошел успешный день повышения осведомленности о расстройстве избирательного приема пищи

A Wrexham campaigner says she was overwhelmed by the response to an ARFID awareness fun day after hundreds of people stopped to learn more about the little-known eating disorder. The ARFID Awareness Fun Day at Bellevue Park brought together local organisations, community groups, entertainers and families for an afternoon of activities designed to raise awareness of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). The event was organised by local advocate Macy Williams, who said seeing people genuinely want to understand the condition made years of campaigning worthwhile. "Honestly, I don't think anything could have prepared me for the day," she said. "People came along, but what meant the most to me wasn't the number – it was seeing people stop, ask questions and genuinely want to understand ARFID. "For most of my life, ARFID has been something I've had to explain over and over again. For one day, that changed. Instead of feeling like I was trying to prove ARFID exists, I watched hundreds of people wanting to learn. That felt really special." She said many visitors admitted they had never heard of ARFID before, while others recognised the condition in themselves or their children for the first time. "The moments that stayed with me most were the parents who quietly told me, 'This sounds exactly like my child,' and the adults who said they recognised themselves for the first time," she said. "Some people became emotional because they realised they weren't alone. Those conversations reminded me why awareness matters so much." Throughout the day, Macy spoke about the realities of living with ARFID beyond restrictive eating. "They don't see the feeding tubes, the fear, the isolation, the medical appointments, the constant explaining, or how exhausting it is to keep proving your illness is real," she said. "I wanted people to understand that ARFID isn't simply about food. It affects education, friendships, family life, mental health and physical health. It changes every part of your life." For Macy, organising the event was deeply personal. "This wasn't just an event to me. It was something I wish had existed years ago," she said. "I've spent time in hospital. I've relied on tube feeding. I've experienced what it feels like when people don't understand your condition. Those experiences are why I campaign today." She added: "When I stood in the park and looked around, I didn't just see stalls and visitors. I saw families finding answers, children feeling represented and conversations happening that might never have happened otherwise. "I remember thinking, 'This is exactly why I didn't give up.'" Following the success of the event, Macy is now working towards launching an ARFID Wales campaign. Read more "The fun day was never meant to be a one-off event. It's the beginning of something much bigger," she said. "I want healthcare professionals to recognise ARFID earlier. I want teachers to understand that not every child struggling with food is just being difficult. I want families to feel supported instead of blamed. Most of all, I want people with ARFID to be believed before they become critically unwell." Macy hopes sharing her experiences will lead to earlier diagnoses, greater understanding and better support for people living with ARFID across Wales.