Akiko Suzuki is more then just a role model to all young girls who aspire to be Olympian figure skaters.  She is a role model for people around the world who have struggled or continue to struggle with an eating disorder.  As a child Suzuki was a child prodigy on the ice and a rising star in the world of woman’s figure skating.  By the age of sixteen Suzuki was battling for her life as she was suffering from a deadly eating disorder.  Like drug addiction and alcoholism an eating disorder is a disease.

Whether she knows it or not Suzuki openly speaking about her disease is giving millions of people hope.  Although there is no doubt that she has to do constant maintenance to make sure she does not fall back into the grips of her disease she has moved on with her life and her dreams are becoming a reality.  Watching her perform last night it was obvious that she was having more fun then the other skaters.  It’s apparent that Suzuki knows that skating is not the most important thing in her life.  Like anyone who is in recovery from any type of addiction Suzuki is enjoying the moment one moment at a time.

Suzuki credits her support for where she is today as well as her disease for making her the young lady she is today.   She states, “People pressed me onward so I could be here today.  The whole thing occurred so I could be here.  This is how I look back at the earlier period”.

Suzuki is a living example that individuals can move forward from and overcome an eating disorder.  Does it really matter whether or not she wins a gold medal.  Sure it would be a fairy tale ending but in my book Suzuki is already a champion.  She did not let her eating disorder knock her down.  Suzuki temporarily suffered from a setback and got back on her feet to do what she loves better then she ever has.