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A teen has enjoyed her first Christmas dinner after a lifetime of eating only cheese spread sarnies.
Gracie Rodd, 16, developed a food phobia at the age of 18 months after a sickness bug left her traumatised.
And mum Julie, 50, said: “It is a true Christmas miracle that Gracie is now trying new foods.
“In previous years, she would have a plain roll of bread for a starter on Christmas day followed by a cheese spread sandwich and a few microwave chips.
“But this year, she has had a traditional dinner consisting of chicken, a Yorkshire pudding, roasties and carrots.
“It has been amazing for her to feel involved this year.”
Gracie, of Halifax, West Yorks, suffered from severe reflux as a toddler and was hospitalised because of dehydration.
Julie said: “She couldn’t keep anything down. After that, her food intake completely changed and her bland diet continued for many years. She’d have panic attacks when given anything but a cheese spread sandwich or the occasional bowl of chips.”
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Aged 15, Gracie and her mum found out online about a condition called avoidant rest-rictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and arranged to see psychologist Felix Economakis.
After one session, she ate pizza, fruit and a ham sandwich for the first time in her life.
Julie said: “When I saw her eat, I started crying. We’d been waiting for this moment for so long.
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“I had never seen her eat with confidence before – usually the nerves take over. The session has been life-changing for Gracie.
“She’s spent most of her life unable to attend social events that involve food with friends, but now she loves Pizza Hut. It is amazing that her future is now sorted and ARFID is no longer holding her back.”
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