She saw herself differently in the sixth grade and she came to the conclusion that she was overweight. That is when her bulimia started.

“Growing up I was an outgoing person. But in sixth grade being overweight worsened the problem and that made me a target. This resulted in becoming shy and channeling my feelings in a negative way,” Abby Hanson, a sophomore attending Noblesville High School said.

Hanson’s sixth and seventh grade years were tough because she was bullied about her weight. This led to unhealthy habits and the start of her eating disorders.

However, being bullied and having an eating disorder introduced her to her love of writing and spoken poetry. She began with prose, which is a speech type, and reading more than she did before. She liked watching slam poetry on YouTube.

“Eating disorders is a big problem, but it makes you realize you are not alone. Hearing poetry over this problem, hits you right in the feels [heart] and it is a great way to vent,” Hanson said.

Spoken poetry is a way for Hanson to channel her energy in a positive way.

“I think people get better by talking about things because before I could not and would not talk to others. Three years ago, I would not be able to do an interview. Poetry allowed me to talk to others and it is a creative outlet,” Hanson said.

“I want to say people define their whole lives with what they deal with. No one can truly get rid of their problem. But over time you find ways to cope and you become a stronger person from that. As Kelly Clarkson said, ‘What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger’, and poetry was my way to cope and made me stronger,” Hanson said.

Hanson said everyone will struggle but each individual should face his or her problem because it can ease the situation. She conquered her eating disorder through her love for spoken poetry.