THE family of Claire Harrison, who passed away after health complications from anorexia, hope her legacy in the Territory will be to prevent other sufferers dying in forced institutional care.
The coronial inquest into the death of the Alice Springs resident known as the “Walking Woman” was held at the town’s courthouse on Thursday.
The inquest heard how Ms Harrison, who died at 29 and weighing just 30kg on January 26, had been fearful and distrustful of seeking hospital care for her condition, even though doctors had warned her “her anorexia would kill her”.
Counsel assisting the Coroner Jodi Truman said since 2009 Ms Harrison had faced multiple involuntary hospital admissions and had been force-fed through catheters – which had left her deeply traumatised and distrustful of medical professionals.
“She was reluctant to receive treatment,” Ms Truman told the court. “In 2010, she vowed never to receive treatment or go to a medical facility again.”
After a long period of refusing to seek treatment, Ms Harrison was admitted to Alice Springs Hospital on January 2, stricken with pneumonia.
The Coroner heard this illness was a direct result of her health deteriorating due to her eating disorder.
While in hospital, Ms Harrison refused intensive care treatment, a decision which was overturned by hospital staff on January 16. She was pronounced dead 10 days later.
Mother Margaret Harrison said she didn’t blame health professionals involved in the case and agreed her daughter’s death had been caused by health complications of the anorexia. She tearfully told the court she hoped the Coroner’s findings would help others in similar circumstances.
“I don’t want another family to go through this process,” Mrs Harrison said.
Following the inquest, Mrs Harrison told the NT News she hoped the Coroner’s findings would help the Territory’s health system deal with cases such as Claire’s in the future.
“That’s the outcome we would like – that it actually gives more ability, more knowledge … because eating disorders in Central Australia aren’t all that common,” she said.
“There’s been a few cases but we don’t have a skilled workforce in that area. This is a learning curve for everybody.”
Ms Harrison struggled with anorexia since she was around 17 years old. At times her health appeared in good stead and she had managed to live at home where she was cared for by family for about four years.
During this time she was well known on the streets of Alice Springs, walking around town up to 36km a day.