The Upside of Being Down shows the winding paths that are the thoughts that go through one's mind, and the debilitating symptoms that come alight with Anorexia Nervosa.
Anorexia Nervosa is an illness misunderstood by many. At first glance it is seen as a trivial call for attention, but it is so much more. The Upside of Being Down is a memoir of a teenage survivor of Anorexia written in order to destigmatize this illness so that many more can be treated. Only one in ten sufferers will seek treatment because many people don't conceptualize what eating disorders truly encompass. What may come as a surprise to many, is that weight and looks are the most insignificant part of this illness.
Through medical appointments and unique experiences, Carolina recounts the thoughts and actions that built up her diagnosis within The Upside of Being Down. Much like navigating unknown seas, Carolina writes about surviving an illness that is entirely abstract and has no simple way out, while also advocating for eating disorder awareness to encourage families and people who are on the verge of giving up.
Speaking three languages, living in five countries, and organizing a successful annual fundraiser, Carolina Mejia Rodriguez wrote her first book as a thirteen-year-old. In addition to winning school awards ranging from the Scholastic Art and Writing Award to the President’s Award of Academic excellence, Carolina is a member of the National Junior Honors Society. As a third-culture-kid, Carolina has been able to raise money from around the world for a group of children in need in Colombia called Las Estrellas del Rawad. Carolina has been featured on the daytime Emmy-award-winning show Despierta America, creating consciousness about Anorexia Nervosa in teenagers.