Emmerdale’s Gemma Oaten emotional as she reads powerful letter she wrote to her 10-year-old self
Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten revealed the emotional letter she wrote to herself almost 20 years ago.
The actress, best known for her role as Rachel Breckle in the ITV soap, shared the powerful moment on Instagram to mark Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
In the nine-minute clip shared on Instagram and started off by talking about Joyce, ‘the woman who saved my life when I was 11-years-old and at a psychiatric unit.’
Alongside the video, she penned: ‘Trigger warning.
‘Many of you may know of the story from last year where I was reunited with the amazing Joyce, the woman who, unbeknownst to her, once saved my life through a single act of kindness.
‘After I bumped into her again after 28yrs, my therapist encouraged me to write a letter to my 10/11yr old self, which was when the moment happened.’
She continued: ‘It was an exercise to help me let go of the pain I felt at the hands of those who were meant to protect me and to really let go and forgive and to reiterate that none of what I went through was my fault.
‘I’ve sat on sharing this letter for the last 7mths since I wrote it… But now it’s time. I feel brave enough and ready. I’ve not read it again until now. This is raw. This is real. My emotions can never lie.
She concluded: ‘With it being Eating Disorder awareness week, now seems right to read my letter to you. One day I hope to write my book, my story… One day 🙏 For now, here’s the first installment.
‘I hope it helps anyone affected by eating disorders who may have been through something similar or who is feeling lost and that recovery is too far away.
‘Recovery is possible. You’re not alone. You matter 🌱💚 G xxx.’
Fans praised Gemma’s bravery in sharing her story, with @jacquienye replying: ‘God bless you always Gemma. Your words are so real and so brave. Thank you for sharing and helping others ‘know.’
Writing for Metro.co.uk, Gemma previously explained why her parents, Marg and Dennis Oaten, started SEED Eating Disorder Support Services, and credited them for helping her in her own recovery.
‘Early intervention is KEY when it comes to eating disorders. Because I didn’t get that I nearly lost my life. However, I had a fire inside me because my parents gave me the spark by not giving up on me and by making me remember who I was. And here I am today living my dreams as an actress, presenter, and public speaker…but more importantly, I am now patron and manager of SEED. A cycle. Not a vicious cycle, a full circle cycle of hope.’
While her overall message is one of hope and positivity, Gemma does not shy away from sharing the hardships of eating disorder recovery, including the ‘discrimination’ she has faced along the way.
Speaking to Scott McGlynn on his Celebrity Skin Talk podcast, Gemma opened up about one such occasion, which saw her miss out on the chance to appear on I’m A Celebrity after being placed on the reserve list.
‘Unfortunately, what happens you all have to go through like psych tests and stuff,’ she explained.
‘And I had this interview with this psychiatrist who said that if I went into the jungle and lost weight, I would become anorexic again. And I was like “Um no, that’s not how it works”.
