Where's your blog?

When I wrote my book I thought I'd make my statement and then move on. I hoped I'd raise some interest on the topic but I wrote it as a memoir -- not to become a spokesperson or activist.

I thought that as science repudiated the legacy of blaming and marginalizing parents that I would be only one of many parent activists to write books and give speeches and create web sites.

There are strong voices out there -- Harriet Brown, Buddy Howard, Jan Cullis, Kitty Westin, Mary Ellen Clausen, and Doris Smeltzer, for example. But we really, REALLY need more.

More bloggers, more letter writers, more books, more speakers.

And not only more: we need unapologetic, demanding, inquisitive, educated, focused, ACTIVE mothers and fathers.

There is power in parent activism. Parents have worked together fund research for rare illnesses, change drunk driving laws, build peer support networks, and change the way diseases are treated. Families change laws, support home care for the chronically ill, and fight discrimination.

With some illnesses the patients go on to change the system of care - breast cancer and AIDS, for example. But eating disorders strike young people who need adults to shepherd them through the process. Supporting parents IS helping patients. It is going to take parents reaching out to each other to change the system.

Where's your blog?

Comments

  1. You know where mine are! I'm not quite sure what I should do about the fact that one of them IS apologetic (should I apologise for the fact?!) and muddled rather than strong - for good or ill that's ME. But I'm talking the talk and endeavouring to walk the walk in more ways than one. My main concern at the moment is reaching those who don't spend hours on the Internet (I know, difficult to imagine isn't it?)

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  2. I thank you for "introducing" me to the other women you mentioned. Kitty has been my hero for the past few years since I heard about her. Then I heard about you and Doris. I am truly inspired by parents who do the outreach work I want to do, once I kick this thing-and I am a parent myself! Damn disease!
    -K

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  3. marcella, your blog STOMPS ED.

    labyrinth, you kick your ED's a-- and then come help us all thrash ED worldwide!

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  4. Laura-

    I finally did get a blip of a blog started... but I've been swamped lately and not been able to post regularly- will do though, bear with me!

    Thanks for the kick in the butt!

    Shanti-

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  5. Laura as usual you are spot on. As I took action with my children because of your book I certainly believe in parent power.
    A couple of months ago I wrote an "article" which friends have read and said it's an eye opener for them and I should get it published. I've sat on it for 3 months as I've no idea where to send it. It's hard getting feedback from newspapers/ magazines etc on how to get articles to them. Can anyone help.....

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  6. Laura,

    I wasn't sure where to post this, but I think that this thread is the best.

    You might be interested in this video. Well, it's more of an audio lecture really. If you google the conference that Janet Low is talking about you find similar opinions professed by other independent psychoanalytical psychotherapists.

    It's not just about eating disorders but about mental health problems, so perhaps a touch tangential to what you are campaigning for.

    But I am a scientist-in-training and I think that it is a real shame of her to be so dismissive. Particularly as she professes to be a professional yet in this video she so obviously has her own agenda.

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  7. Fascinating clip. Just fascinating.

    It kind of shows how the battle lines are being drawn - and how complex it is to follow the instruction "seek professional care."

    I also wonder how the dynamics of a national health system changes the frustration level of clinicians. In the US I suppose no one has to get too mad: they can just do their own thing. That is good, of course, and bad!

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  8. Linda,

    Why not post your article on a blog? Then tell us where it is and spread the good word.

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  9. It may be a bit fragmented but I believe going for broke - get the message out in what ever way you can. Speaking to journalists who then publish in prime newspapers, talks to professionals and students, speaking to adults thru any of the eating disorder foundations/services that run parent support programmes, even fund raising through absurd adventures (nearly got that one off the ground. oh well next year).
    I do have a blog spot but haven't used it yet!

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  10. Carolin, USE it! And let us know where it is so we can cheer!

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  11. Thanks Laura,
    I'll do my best but the only reason I'm posting is that I'm on holiday and I know that once I go back to school I'll be flat out like a lizard drinking. This computer stuff is a bit addictive and I do like my walks down the beach as well as hands on arty stuff.
    PS my blog is "creative communication" but I haven't got anything on it yet worth reading. The opening post was a test run.
    Cheers,
    CG

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  12. You've inspired me to start a blog of my own. It's from a chronic anorexia sufferers viewpoint. Nothing of substance posted just yet but I definitely plan on talking about Neurobiological causes of ED's (amongst other things). Thank you for your inspiration :)

    http://livingwithchronicanorexia.blogspot.com/

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