'It feels like I'm in a nightmare'
ALBANY, Ore. - Staysha Biersdorff spends most days behind her computer.
Life is easier this way.
Outside her doors, the 19 year old's private battle with her weight is exposed. Biersdorff weighs 390 pounds.
"I don't know what happened," Biersdorff said. "I just got really huge. I feel disgusting. It feels like I'm in a nightmare and I can't wake up. I hate it. I hate myself. I hate that I put food in my mouth and I really try not to."
Biersdorff has tried everything from diets to gyms, but nothing seems to work.
"I need something besides this house," Biersdorff said.
Biersdorff said she thinks her only hope is going to weight-loss camp.
"When you go there, you get so much confidence in yourself," Biersdorff said. "For me, I don't have any confidence in myself."
The one thing stopping her is the cost. Her insurance won't cover any of the cost, which could be $20,000 to $50,000.
"The only thing they will really pay for is surgery," Biersdorff said.
Biersdorff said weight-loss camp would be hard work.
"They are very strict," Biersdorff said. "That's what I love about it."
She would learn healthy eating and how to exercise. Biersdorff knows what it would take to reach her goal of 180 pounds.
"Now I'm just hoping someone will help me reach that," Biersdorff said.
KVAL News talked to Regence Blue Shield about why they don't cover weight-loss camps. They said camps are not considered a medical benefit.
Regence said they offer other help for losing weight, like counseling and healthy eating programs.
But Biersdorff thinks she needs to get away from the environment that caused her gain weight to begin with.
