Reflections from a former Imani client, almost a decade into recovery.

Recently, one of our former clients — who completed treatment at Imani in 2016 — returned to Cape Town and visited us. She generously shared her story and reflections, nearly ten years later. With her permission, we’re honoured to share her words:

“What I quickly realised is that you can’t erase an eating disorder — but you can recover from it.
And recovery is something so much greater. I discovered that not only is recovery possible, but it also makes room for life. Imani introduced me to that possibility, and the five months I spent there laid the foundation that changed everything.
When I left, I wasn’t sure if I was ready. But nearly ten years later — at 28 years old — I can say with gratitude that I’m still in recovery today. And that’s because of the tools Imani gave me. Their approach to eating disorder recovery — grounded in the 12-step program — gave me something I could always return to. Something steady and solid, even when I drifted.
That’s where I learned how to feel my feelings for the very first time. As the eldest daughter in a family of four children, I had been taught from an early age to bury my emotions — my anger and sadness especially had no place to go. But everything started changing. With the help of the counselling team — many of whom came from recovery themselves — I began to face myself: my emotions, my fears, my loneliness, my pain, and my truth. I went from total numbness to awareness — and the lifelong process of learning to feel had begun.
I also learned how to lean on community. My fellow clients, also on this recovery journey, anchored me and freed me from the belief that I had to do it all alone. For the first time, I felt heard and understood.
Once I left, my life truly began. I stepped into the world with the tools not just to survive, but to live — to function, to feel, and to stay connected to a Higher Power that continues to guide me to this day.
I arrived scared, alone, broken, and desperate. I left still scared — but with hope. With a new perspective. And to me, that’s been the greatest gift of recovery: perspective born from awareness.
Today, I live a life I never thoiught possible. It began with the recovery I found at Imani — a recovery I keep choosing, one day at a time. My gratitude deepens every year.”

It began with the recovery I found at Imani — a recovery I keep choosing, one day at a time. My gratitude deepens every year.”

“The ocean holds a special place in my recovery. This was my only beach day — and somehow, the most meaningful”.

We are grateful for this inspiring story of hope. May the road ahead be filled with strength, healing, and lasting recovery.