A couple who met while recovering from an eating disorder and became engaged on a flight to Bali are set to finally tie the knot.
Mark Wadson, 31, and Miranda Naprelac, 22, developed a close relationship while receiving treatment for anorexia at The Hollywood Clinic’s eating disorder centre in Perth.
But the pair knew for their relationship to stand the test of time, they would need to overcome their illnesses.
Mark Wadson, 31, and Miranda Naprelac (pictured), 22, developed a close relationship while receiving treatment for anorexia at The Hollywood Clinic’s eating disorder centre in Perth
When Miranda succumb to the eating disorder, she dropped to a frightening 36kg from 55kg, while Mark’s weight plunged from 110kg to just 48kg.
However in the 16 months they spent at the clinic, they grew used to leaning on each other for support and pushing each other to eat their way to recovery.
In the early stages they would cry together after reluctantly finishing meals, but now they have each other to thank for saving the other’s life.
‘Miranda and I helped each other combat our anorexia and bulimia. We were so desperate to make our relationship work that we knew we couldn’t both have eating disorders,’ Mark told the West Australian.
When Miranda succumb to the eating disorder, she dropped to a frightening 36kg from 55kg, while Mark’s (pictured) weight plunged from 110kg to just 48kg
The couple met in 2013, following Mark’s anorexia and bulimia diagnosis, and Miranda’s diagnosis with anorexia.
Mark would restrict calories before bingeing and purging, while Miranda would eat grapes alone for up to three days at a time.
They encouraged each other to get through their three meals a day and resisted their unhealthy dedication to counting calories.
The couple met in 2013, following Mark’s (right) anorexia and bulimia diagnosis, and Miranda’s (left) diagnosis with anorexia
‘Miranda completely understood how it felt to have an eating disorder and even while in the clinic together, we knew we had a special friendship,’ Mark said.
With pair now both in remission, Mark got down on one knee on December 28 while the couple were on a Jetstar flight from Perth to Bali.
‘I was so shocked but couldn’t say yes quick enough,’ Miranda said.
The couple both work between Queensland and the Northern Territory as community workers for the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation.
Mark got down on one knee on December 28 while the couple were on a Jetstar flight from Perth to Bali (pictured)