When Paul Mason moved back home to care for his ailing mother after his father died, he had no idea that would open the door to a vicious battle with food addiction.  As a postman in his native Suffolk, England, Mr. Mason eventually resigned from his job when he could no longer walk. It seemed he would succumb to his addiction as his weight skyrocketed upwards of 900 pounds, and in 2002 when he needed emergency hernia surgery, the fire department had to bulldoze a wall in his house to get him out with a forklift.
Still, his addiction marched on, and he was relegated to purpose-built housing with extra wide doorways so he could move around. His care cost taxpayers an estimated $250,000 a year and is believed to have topped $1.5 million, according to the Daily Mail.
Five years ago, he got the news that would change his life. He was approved for bariatric surgery and since then has lost nearly 700 pounds. However, now he is faced with a new challenge. Extreme weight loss has left him with an excess of 100 pounds of loose skin that envelops him like a shroud, constantly prone to infection and making it difficult for him to walk. The cost of an operation to remove it was out of the question and it seemed like he might have to live with this gruesome reminder of his past addiction for the rest of his life.
That’s when fate stepped in. An American plastic surgeon who specializes in skin removal surgery heard about his remarkable transformation and volunteered to perform the surgery free of charge. Soon after, a team of doctors came together, all volunteering their time and expertise. Eventually, all of his post-operative care was paid for as well when the television show ‘The View’ agreed to cover the remaining costs.
At the same time, he met his fiancè Rebecca Mountain, who was moved to contact him after seeing a documentary about him. The two now live together in New England, where he is writing a book about his experiences.
Mr. Mason is an inspiring example of someone who has battled food addiction and come out the other side. When facing down food, it can seem so out of control that you don’t know where to start. Paul Mason is a person who put down the food and let divine providence step in to help him with the details. At Breathe Life Healing Center, we’ve helped dozens of people take that first step toward freedom from the bondage of food. If you or someone you love needs help, call us today.
There is hope for this addiction.
