I’m Cassandra Alane, Cassie for short, author of Beautiful Light-Overcoming Severe Anorexia.
Truth be known, I’m now in my 40s, but I have never forgotten the years I lived with and almost died from anorexia nervosa. Life was dark until life-giving hope broke through. Now recovered for over a decade, I want to share Beautiful Light with you to impart hope and offer insight into holistic recovery.
“It has been one of the greatest joys life affords to see Cassandra recover, grow, flourish, and build her life, friendships, family, work and passions. She is in every way an inspiration, and I hope this book allows many more people to understand that and to share in the hope and light she brings.”
So, whether you have anorexia, are a caregiver, or a health professional, I invite you to check out Beautiful Light, available as a paperback and e-book. Also, feel free to explore my webpage, social media sites and to contact me. I’d love to hear from you!
Cassandra Alane is an author, advocate, wife, mother and foster carer, living in the beautiful City of Lake Macquarie, Australia. She also has a background in nursing and training in mental health first aid and ministry.
As a teenager, however, Cassandra developed anorexia. Entrapped physically, mentally and emotionally in the deadly disorder, she spent many years in multiple treatment facilities. It took a spiritual encounter, intense professional support, loving kindness and time, for holistic recovery to unfold.
Knowing how dark life can be, and at the same time how light is within reach, not at the end of the tunnel but wherever we may find ourselves, Cassandra has written Beautiful Light to shine hope and cultivate understanding.
“I believe no one is beyond help, and everyone is worthy of it.”
Passionate about seeing others set free, with ten years lived experience, Cassandra also advocates for people with eating disorders through statewide health committees, online networks, giving talks and interviews. The local ABC radio station has even aired her story.
Along with advocacy work, Cassandra loves the beach, supporting Fairtrade, all creatures great and small, good (hot) coffee and exploring local tracks around the bush and bay.
Cassandra’s Story will take you on a soul deep recovery journey. At only seventeen years old, they transfer her to an adult psychiatric unit for treatment of severe anorexia. Cassandra is an involuntary patient, and recovery is not something she wants or can even allow herself to think about. Yet, a spiritual encounter changes all of this. In just one night, she goes from having no hope—to finding it. With tangible hope and helpful support, stepping beyond anorexia becomes possible. On the other side, Cassandra discovers passion, purpose, failings, heartache and delight all colour her life. Free to live in the moment, she now realises how precious this is.
Following Cassandra’s Story, The Ray Collective offers profound insights and inspiring messages on anorexia, spirituality and recovery. Supplied is a handy resource section that explores Seeking Support, Self-Help and Spiritual Keys. Poetry, journal extracts, letters, stories from friends and a heartfelt word from Cassandra’s mum further bring Beautiful Light to life.
As a result, Beautiful Light offers hope for people with anorexia and all who support them—no matter how dark it may seem. Hope that light can break through, inner life can emerge and the road to holistic recovery can prove absolutely worthwhile.
