Author Archives: Dunn Firm - Morgan Claire Dunn

Timberline Knolls

Dante’s seminal work, “The Divine Comedy,” is regarded as one of greatest writings in Western Literature. It is divided into three parts: Inferno, Purgatorio and Paradiso.

This literary masterpiece discusses “the state of the soul after death and presents an image of divine justice meted out as due punishment or reward” as it describes Dante’s travels through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven. There are nine circles of the Inferno, or Hell, followed by Lucifer contained at its bottom.

We now know there is a tenth level not addressed by Dante.  This level is Timberline Knolls in Lemont, Illinois. 

On August 21, 2018, Michael Jacksa, then a counselor at Timberline Knolls was arrested and charged with assaulting a 29 year old patient at Timberline Knolls during two counseling sessions between May and June of 2018. 

Jacksa was accused by patients of digitally penetrating their vaginas and buttocks, putting his hands beneath their clothing, fondling their breasts and forcing them to give him oral sex. During his first bond hearing on Aug. 21, Jacksa reportedly admitted to police that he “probably went too far.”

This “probably went too far” conduct manifested itself by him being indicted for his reprehensible conduct directed toward a second victim. According to those charges, between Dec. 1, 2017 and Jan. 10, 2018, Jacksa was treating an out-of-state woman for eating disorders, anxiety and past sexual abuse. The patient alleges that Jacksa sexually assaulted her during four therapy sessions at Timberline Knolls. The prosecutor said the second woman came forward after seeing media reports.

According to the prosecutor, at least six other former patients of Jacksa’s from across the country have contacted the Lemont Police Department stating that Jacksa allegedly engaged in “inappropriate sexual behavior” during their respective therapy sessions.

But that is not the end of Timberline Knolls and Acadia’s problems.  Not nearly.

On September 1, 2024, a New York Times report published a scathing article about Acadia Healthcare, the publicly traded company which owns Timberline Knolls. The article and its follow up can be found here:

In short, the New York Times report indicated that Acadia Healthcare allegedly held patients longer than was necessary and often against their will at certain facilities. The report also claims Acadia trumped up patient symptoms in reports to payers to extract more reimbursement. The Report stated: “Acadia has exaggerated patients’ symptoms. It has tweaked medication dosages, then claimed patients needed to stay longer because of the adjustment. And it has argued that patients are not well enough to leave because they did not finish a meal,” the New York Times alleged. “Unless the patients or their families hire lawyers, Acadia often holds them until their insurance runs out.” 

This Report allegedly included at least 12 of the 19 states where Acadia operates psychiatric hospitals. Dozens of patients, employees and police officers notified authorities that the company was detaining people in ways that broke the law, the report stated, citing records. It is unknown whether Timberline Knolls is part of that conduct.

Acadia stated the assertions are inaccurate.

But that is not the end of Timberline Knolls and Acadia’s problems.  Not nearly.

The United States Committee on Finance conducted a two-year study of four major companies providing mental health services to children and adolescents.  One of the four companies? Acadia Healthcare.

The findings of that study were released on June 12, 2024.  The study can be found here:

Click to access sfc_report_warehouses_of_neglect.pdf

The testimony before the Committee and the Exhibits supporting the study can be found here:

https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/youth-residential-treatment-facilities-examining-failures-and-evaluating-solutions

The study’s findings can be summarized as follows:

  • Children suffer routine harm inside Residential Treatment Facilities (“RTF”). The risk of harm to children in RTFs is endemic to the operating model. 
  • Children inside RTFs often do not get the treatment they need for mental and behavioral health needs, despite RTFs being reimbursed with federal dollars to provide intensive services. 
  • Horrific instances of sexual abuse persist unremediated inside RTFs. 
  • The use of restraint and seclusion in RTFs allows for unchecked abuse. RTF staff have too often ignored federal restraint and seclusion regulations, resulting in daily use of restraint and seclusion in some instances.  
  • RTFs often employ unqualified or inadequately trained staff and that staff routinely fail to discharge their duties. RTF staffing failures have led to tragic incidents, including child fatalities, and childrens’ repeated exposure to risk. 
  • RTFs are often non-homelike environments, exposing children to unsafe and unsanitary conditions. 
  • RTFs often fail to effectively maintain connections between children and their communities and to plan for childrens’ discharge to the community for ongoing care. 
  • RTFs often employ carceral technology to monitor children, creating environments that feel more like detention facilities than therapeutic settings. 
  • State and federal oversight authorities fail to effectively identify and address harm to children in RTFs. When RTFs correct deficiencies, their efforts are remedial rather than company-wide.
  • Exploiting corporate structures can enable RTF operators to evade oversight. 

Surely, this scathing report must have had an immediate and severe impact on Acadia Healthcare with far fewer referrals and a commitment to investigate and improve. Uh … no.

In an August 5, 2024 call with investors, Chris Hunter, CEO of Acadia Healthcare, said the behavioral health provider had not seen any negative effects from the report. 

Hunter stated: “Residential treatment centers comprise around 11% of Acadia’s revenue… We believe that the people that deal with this patient population every day, and that certainly includes our referral sources, as well as the various regulatory oversight bodies that are routinely in these facilities, understand that this is just a really difficult population.”

That a boy Chris! Don’t address the damning evidence in the Committee’s Report but do insinuate blame on your patient population.  Profits, profits uber alles! Well played, sirrah. 

But that is not the end of Timberline Knolls and Acadia’s problems.  Not nearly.

In August 2024, a lawsuit was filed against Timberline alleging staff member Erick Hampton sexually assaulted a 24-year-old patient, Jane Doe, three times in May 2024.

Doe, who has bipolar and borderline personality disorder, was seeking treatment at the facility for suicidal thoughts. Despite reporting the assaults to a staff member via her roommate, no prompt action was taken, allowing Jane Doe to be raped a third time.

The lawsuit also alleges that Doe was falsely accused of having a secret affair with a staff member and was forced to leave the facility, after less than two weeks, out of fear. The lawsuit claims the assaults worsened her mental health condition, yet Hampton faces no criminal charges.

Worsened her mental health conditions. Rape will certainly do that.

So, in the past four months, Acadia, the parent company of Timberline Knolls:

  1. Was the subject of a scathing Senate Finance Committee Report on systemic abuse of children and adolescents;
  2. Was the subject of a scathing New York Times Report alleging system abuse of children and adolescents;
  3. Was the subject of a scathing lawsuit alleging one of Timberline Knolls employees raped a patient three times while under their so-called care.

Timberline Knolls should have still been reeling from the Jacksa incidents and implemented wholesale changes and improvements to prevent instances of abuse from happening again. Instead?

It is business as usual. According to Acadia’s CEO, its bottom line has not been impacted and families are still referring their loved ones to Timberline Knolls. Acadia marketers are drumming up business with no thought about the possible harm nor consequences.

So, what can be done? For one, complaints with all of this information can be sent to the Attorney General of Tennessee (where Acadia is based); the Attorney General of Illinois (where Timberline Knolls is based); to the Joint Commission; to the REDC and published widely on social media.  Attempted collaboration can be undertaken with the law firms representing the latest victims at Timberline Knolls. Those things can certainly be done. But the question remains …

What are you prepared to do?

Why HAES is Dead in the Eating Disorder Community and … Crossing a Sacred Boundary.

Why is HAES dead in the eating disorder community? Because the ASDAH wanted it that way by taking HAES in a different direction.

Some people opined that ASDAH does not involve eating disorders. And yet, weight stigma and individualized eating are certainly part of the eating disorder realm. So, to that extent, yes ASDAH was formerly involved in the eating disorder community.

Some people attempted to argue that HAES was not part of the eating disorder lexicon. And yet, there are therapists, marketers and third parties who naively seek, “HAES aligned doctors, therapists, nutritionists” for people who suffer from eating disorders.

Certainly, the abandoned HAES principles align with some aspects of the eating disorders community. These principles included:

  1. Weight Inclusivity– Accept and respect the inherent diversity of body shapes and sizes and reject the idealizing or pathologizing of specific weights.
  • Health Enhancement– Support health policies that improve and equalize access to information and services, and personal practices that improve human well-being, including attention to individual physical, economic, social, spiritual, emotional, and other needs.
  • Respectful Care — Acknowledge our biases, and work to end weight discrimination, weight stigma, and weight bias. Provide information and services from an understanding that socio-economic status, race, gender, sexual orientation, age, and other identities impact weight stigma, and support environments that address these inequities.
  • Eating for Well-being — Promote flexible, individualized eating based on hunger, satiety, nutritional needs, and pleasure, rather than any externally regulated eating plan focused on weight control.
  • Life-Enhancing Movement — Support physical activities that allow people of all sizes, abilities, and interests to engage in enjoyable movement, to the degree that they choose.

When viewed through an intelligent, rational lens, who can argue with those principles? I certainly agree with them.

If HAES still embraced those noble principles and was being conveyed in an intelligent manner, there would be far fewer issues and HAES would be further on its way to being respected, if not adopted by more medical and mental health professionals. Sadly, it is not.

In 2022, ASDAH (the entity which owns the HAES trademark) had a seismic shift in its vision and mission. As was its right. Now, ASDAH is attempting to redefine health through a sociopolitical construct and is openly stating that it is aligning with other social justice movements. [their words] Again, any organization has the right to pivot in the direction it deems best for its members and donors. But as it pivots, to the extent that ASDAH and HAES were once part of the eating disorder narrative, they no longer are. With regard to eating disorders, HAES is dead.

ASDAH seeks to “dismantle the medical industrial complex.” [their words] ASDAH does not say how it intends to undertake this dismantling or what it seeks to substitute in its place.  ASDAH also states, “One of the main roots of the current Health at Every Size® community was a group of fat activists known collectively as the Fat Underground who began questioning their healthcare experiences and the advice they received from healthcare professionals.”

ASDAH also states, “We remain committed to the ongoing learning from liberation thought-leaders in Black liberation, fat liberation, crip/disability justice, queer liberation, womanism, intersectional feminism, and many more known and not-yet-known movements working towards the liberation of all people.” [Nothing about eating disorders.]

That is truly what ASDAH is about. Fat activism. The liberation of all people who it perceives as being victimized. Social justice issues. So long as ASDAH stays out of the eating disorder community, I say, “Best of luck to you, knock yourself out and do what you believe you must do.”

Especially since I agree that lack of access to medical and mental healthcare for minorities, the poor, the disenfranchised is a huge societal issue and needs to be addressed. We clearly do not have enough people of color who are medical and mental healthcare professionals. Research studies in the past have disproportionately focused on white persons. BMI as an accurate, modern measure of health is lacking. Medical and mental healthcare providers in minority communities are grossly lacking.

But what is also lacking are workable, logical, fact and science-based solutions to these very real problems.  ASDAH is not providing them. HAES activists are not providing them. Real life workable solutions, with greater knowledge and wisdom of medical and mental health care issues are not being proposed nor debated.

It is one thing to illuminate issues to be addressed. It is something very different and far more complex to illuminate workable solutions to those problems which do not violate the Constitution or require wholesale revolution and overthrow of the US government.

Nonetheless, with its pivot exclusively to social justice activism leaving eating disorders behind, there are still some therapists and third parties who continue to use the now outdated term, “HAES aligned.” Third parties do not have the luxury of using the term “HAES” to fit whatever narrative they wish to use. In fact, should you wish to utilize the trademarked term HAES in a way that does not align with ASDAH’S militant vision, it has the right to demand you cease and desist from further use of this term. ASDAH has the right to protect its trademark to ensure it is being used in compliance with its extremist vision. In fact, if it does not protect its trademark, it can waive its rights to exclusively use the term HAES. ASDAH can legally prevent any mental health provider from utilizing the HAES trademark if that provider does not adhere to ASDAH’s current vision and mission.

Based upon some of the past tactics utilized by the ASDAH Militant Fat Activists and their cronies, ASDAH will undoubtedly resort to that tactic.  Its current tactics include excessive bullying on social media directed against therapists and others who disagree with their views on Palestine and other ASDAH mandated issues. Harassment. Making those who disagree with them feel afraid, unsafe and minimized.  There can be no rational debate. No intellectual exchange of ideas or views. They bully those who they perceive are weaker than them. But they are cowards.  They will not directly and openly confront those who oppose them. Those whom they perceive are stronger than them. They hide behind their keyboards.

But then they erred. In the most egregious manner possible. After my last post on this issue, on the Facebook page of one of their advocates, they came after me.  Oh, certainly not directly since it is far easier to block those who disagree with your views and as such, live in an echo chamber. All manner of slurs and slanders were directed at me.  And quite frankly, I am ok with that. Attorneys live with that type of derision every day.

But there is one line that no civilized person ever crosses. One sacred line. And that is when a child dies as a result of eating disorders, you never, never state nor even imply that a parent subjected that child to substandard medical treatment and as a result, was even partially at fault for her tragic death. Only a subhuman monster would tread that dark path.

If that messaging appears on your social media page, you have the absolute duty to immediately remove that message, apologize to the parent and perhaps, look at your own ethics and morals.

However, that line was crossed in an intentional and malicious manner. When given the opportunity to walk back those words, or to delete the offensive messaging, not one of these activists stood up or even spoke out against that messaging.

When the Militant Fat Activists came together to blame me for “allowing my daughter to endure” alleged negligent medical care and ipso facto, blamed me for causing her death … and not one person called out that reprehensible statement, that conduct is unforgivable. This time, they attempted to bully someone who cannot be bullied. This time …

This time… for all parents whose children died from eating disorders; for all therapists and mental health care professionals who have been harassed by the Militant Fat Activists; for persons who have been bullied because they do not embrace ASDAH’s extremist political views … it is our turn now. 

And it is their time to be afraid.

HAES is DEAD

Health at Every Size (HAES) was intended to be an approach to public health that encouraged individuals to adopt healthful behaviors such as balanced nutrition, enjoyable regular physical activity, and stress management regardless of weight. A 2012 study indicated that adopting these habits could lead to better health outcomes regardless of BMI. BMI was exposed for its flaws.

However, the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), the organization behind HAES abandoned those principles. It abandoned what ethics it may have once had. It abandoned all reason, logic, facts and wisdom. Instead, it replaced the aforementioned qualities with a close minded, illogical slavish dedication to social injustice and enforces its myopic views through bullying, back stabbing and subterfuge.

To the extent that HAES principles ever had any relevance or impact on eating disorders, those days are over.

When you look at ASDAH’s 2023 Form 990 tax filing, the words “eating disorders” do not appear one time. On its Form 990s, there is a section in which ASDAH sets forth its mission as follows: “COMMITTED TO THE PRACTICE OF THE HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE (HAES) PRINCIPLES, ASDAH ENVISIONS A WORLD THAT CELEBRATES BODIES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES, IN WHICH BODY WEIGHT IS NO LONGER A SOURCE OF DISCRIMINATION AND WHERE OPPRESSED COMMUNITIES HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES.”

When you look at ASDAH’s 2022 Form 990 tax filing, the words “eating disorders” do not appear one time.

When you look at ASDAH’s 2024 Conference, not one session, not one time are the words, “eating disorder” mentioned … other than noting the words are included in the title of the “Inclusive Eating Disorder Education” being listed as a proud sponsor.

HAES and eating disorders … never the twain shall meet.

ASDAH has become an extremist, racist organization which not only does not address eating disorders, it does not care about eating disorders.

Damning evidence supports that statement.

From Lindo Bacon, PhD regarding her banishment from ASDAH:

“I suggest ASDAH engage in more honorable and dignified business practices.”

“That blog piece is predicated on a phone conversation with me that was recorded without my consent, behavior that is unethical at least, possibly illegal depending on what state it was conducted in, and initiated a cyber-bullying campaign. Is this collusion befitting a professional organization?”

“Regrettably, the primary organization representing the HAES ideology failed to navigate this evolution gracefully, fostering a toxic culture marked by intolerance and punitive attitudes.” 

“I don’t want to exist in a climate where a leadership committee distorts the truth, publicly shames and exiles any member, and damages the reputation of an individual promoting HAES, especially not when that member contributes generously to ASDAH and to the HAES community. I don’t want to exist in a climate where people are shamed for holding, discussing, or challenging ideas―or pressured to shame themselves in an accountability statement or else risk being cast out of the community.”

Racism is color blind.  The following statements made by ASDAH demonstrate that the word “inclusion” actually means exclusion of everyone who is not in their tribe and who do not slavishly follow ASDAH’s radical agenda.

The following are ASDAH’s words:

“We have been visioning and planning different ways to not only take back the HAES narrative, but to place it in the hands of the most marginalized in our community.” 

“Notably, we discussed our vision of revising the Health at Every Size® principles and writing a Health at Every Size® book authored by fat, Black, Brown, neurodiverse, disabled, transgender, and queer activists.” 

“We at ASDAH, the holder and protector of the Health at Every Size® and HAES® trademarks, are committed to promoting an inclusive vision of Health at Every Size® which centers those most marginalized and harmed by fatphobia and the healthcare system.”

“ASDAH has taken action to center Black, fat, and transgender community members in the last two years. We have revised our leadership structure to be less hierarchical.” 

“In order to keep our community safer for fat, Black, and Brown folks in ASDAH spaces, we are setting boundaries as the natural consequence for causing repeated harm.”

ASDAH had a three part series entitled, “Suffocating Whiteness.”

ASDAH’s website defining its purpose, values and vision do not mention eating disorders … not one time.

ASDAH does not care about eating disorders.  It only cares about its fat liberation/social injustice movement. ASDAH states, “Health at Every Size® is not a liberatory framework or social justice movement in and of itself, but rather aims to align with other movements in order to further the journey towards liberation for all.”  That too is a misrepresentation. ASDAH and HAES epitomize the very definition of a social justice movement.

Again, using ASDAH’s own words:

“Considering what is happening to Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank; white supremacy, racism, colonization, forced displacement, ethnic cleansing, apartheid and genocide, those of us who claim to be for liberation, including healthcare providers aligned with HAES®, must stand up for what is right. The liberation for fat people, Black people, indigenous people, queer & trans people, AND Palestinian people are interlocked. Our liberation is tied up in one another’s. There is no hierarchy of oppression. If we are all to be free, we must take measured action. And if we are to support the health and well being of all people, we must take strong stances and demand change.”

ASDAH’s statement ended with these words:

“We will open with reading of a statement by Fat Rose in solidarity with Palestine and close with community processing and healing time.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. All of our freedoms rely upon it.”

Many Jewish people interpret, “From the river to the sea” as a call by Palestinian militant groups for the dismantling of Israel and the removal or extermination of its Jewish population. For historical reference, see Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

And the meaning behind ASDAH’s statement, “Our freedoms rely upon genocide against Jews and Israel?” Certainly a strong stance albeit absolute pablum.

ASDAH claims to take strong stances. So, what constitutes these strong stances?

How do the strong stances of ASDAH manifest? We know these stances include publicly lynching Lindo Bacon, its now former, most renowned ambassador for three reasons:

  1. Lindo Bacon is white;
  2. Lindo Bacon is thin, and;
  3. Lindo Bacon is Jewish.

Lindo Bacon put HAES on the map.  Her advocacy was responsible for its growth. And yet today on the ASDAH, there are as many references to Lindo Bacon as there are about eating disorders.  Zero.

ASDAH’s strong stances include blatant acts of bullying in Facebook groups against any therapist who dares to stand up to ASDAH and its anti-Semantic position. This bullying has gotten so bad that therapists have removed themselves from groups and started other groups.  Groups more appropriately named “Weight Inclusive.”

ASDAH’s own literature, mission and vision (or lack thereof) evidence that HAES has nothing to do with eating disorders. And yet, there are still therapists, nutritionists and others who look for “HAES aligned medical or mental health providers.” And the question which must be posed to them is simply … Why?

If the statistics are to be believed, 30 million Americans will suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime.

Globally, 70 million people suffer from an eating disorder.

One study found that people with anorexia are 56 times more likely to commit suicide than people without an eating disorder.

One person dies from complications from eating disorders every 52 minutes.

In response, ASDAH has taken HAES away from mental health and turned it into an outlet to rail against society for all of society’s ills, both real and imagined.

So, for those who still look for “HAES aligned” treatment providers, you now know that to which you are condemning your clients/patients.

Our families deserve better.

Her Place of Serenity

Maruyama Park is the oldest park in Kyoto, Japan.  Home to numerous shrines and temples, its beauty is best captured through serenity, soulful reflection and feelings of peaceful calm which take over your mind, your heart and your soul.

It has a gentle stream flowing through the park. A stream home to Japanese carp, turtles and beautiful cranes. Often times, the only sounds you hear are the trickling of the water…

The sounds of the cranes …

The breaking of the surface of the water by the koi.

One shrine, an homage to a woman, a mother, a warrior embracing 7 children clinging to her in fear as a typhoon threatens their existence.

Temples, large and awe-inspiring leave one with a feeling of insignificance as the immensity of time eternal is brought home through deep gonging of bells signify the remembrance of those who have passed before us.

Respectfully sitting back and taking in the solemn ceremony honoring an ancestor as a monk rhythmically chants and plays his instruments.

Walking through a place of final repose for those who have departed, the silent reverence permeating the atmosphere.

In the Park, answers to questions that have plagued a person can perhaps be found. Or they remain elusive and out of reach.

And what better place to leave a part of my beloved daughter, Morgan.

In that stream.

At that time.

The perfection as her bodily remains envelope rocks and stones in the stream, expanding, disbursing, becoming one for all time with this incredible place of peace. Of serenity. Of love.

As with the other times when I have left parts of her at places she loved or wanted to experience, I am torn, a father in pain. In some ways, I am once again saying good-bye to her. And yet, as I leave her perhaps symbolically, in far greater places, I know and must surely embrace the knowledge and understanding that she would want precisely that.

In some ways, her journey in this existence continues as she becomes one with some of the great natural treasures to grace our planet.

Morgan Becoming One

And from her journey, so too, does my journey continue. If just one parent, one daddy or momma, is spared the anguish I must endure on a daily basis through the work or the path I currently tread, then those little diamonds left in the ocean, the white smoke spreading through a gentle stream, the parts of her left throughout our existence could have greater meaning.

In doing so, perhaps in Morgan’s words, “I can seem to help everyone else, I just can’t save myself,” become a stronger legacy for not just her, but for those she loved … and who loved her.

Land of the Rising Sun

Japan is a land of enigmatic mystery. Stretching backwards in time, nothing has been undone. The rich tapestry of symbols, of images, of the people, of its virtues, have not been eliminated.  But instead, built upon.

Modern skyscrapers near ancient Shinto temples hundreds of years old. Bullet trains cutting through the countryside, past dense forests and farmlands in aged plots. The cherry blossom as important as the skyscraper.

The samurai code of bushido. Embracing honor, courage, skill in the martial arts and loyalty to the family and society.

Beauty, both subtle and gross, surrounding you wherever you look.

And yet.

Japanese society embraces collectivistic values, emphasizing conformity and group harmony. As a consequence, deviations from norms can create discord in the community. Mental illness is considered to be one such deviation as it threatens the traditional lifestyle upheld by Japan.  These beliefs have led to a growing stigma towards those who struggle with mental health issues in Japan. Especially eating disorders.

For centuries, traditional Eastern cultures like Japan have practiced collectivism, an integrative worldview emphasizing the family, the village, and other communal bodies. While Western Cultures tend to be individualistic and are concerned with how the world affects the self, Easterners consider the self in relation to the world, including how personal actions may affect the collective whole. In this way, Western culture celebrates achievement whereas Easterners emphasize social harmony.

Japanese conceptions of mental illness tend to be more conservative than others worldwide. In questionnaire-based studies of both native Asians and Asian Americans, researchers have documented that these cultures are characterized by conservative attitudes toward mental illness, often viewing mental illness as a weakness rather than a legitimate affliction. Some researchers speculate that part of the reason that Asians do not see mental health as an important factor in life is an overall lack of understanding. While many American schools teach the importance of mental health, Asians may not have as deep an understanding of the topic, as it is primarily displayed on TV and not often discussed in a family or school setting.

When we consider stigma in the United States, for the most part, it grossly pales in comparison to the stigma associated with mental health in Japan. And so, to learn more about cultural stigma, to Japan surely I must go.

Through my friendship with Elissa Myers, the former Executive Director of the Academy for Eating Disorders, along with Something for Kelly, I will be meeting with one of the foremost eating disorder professionals in Japan, Dr. Kazuhiro Yoshiuchi. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo. He has a long list of achievements, publications and accomplishments.

We will also be meeting with Mika Omari, PhD, an Abe Fellow. The Abe Fellowship Program is a research scholarship program encouraging international multidisciplinary research on topics of international concern.

Naturally, we will be sharing information on recent breakthroughs in the treatment of eating disorders in the United States. Information and studies obtained from some of the foremost eating disorder professionals here in the United States will be shared with colleagues in Japan. For this, we are so grateful.

I hope that the medical/mental health professionals in Japan will see us as “Good Will Ambassadors” and that we can be a bridge allowing our professionals to start to collaborate internationally on a greater level.

When we all find a way to work together, to share our knowledge, that translates into many more lives being saved. And that universally is the one goal we all share.

Morgan’s 31st Birthday … Her Voice Will Be Heard

Tomorrow is Morgan’s 31st birthday.

A birthday. A day of celebration. A day upon which we ordinarily shower the birthday person with gifts to celebrate their life.

For the longest time, I have found that custom quite curious. After all, on our first day of existence we merely arrive into this plane of existence. We arrive by being given the greatest gift of all. The gift of life that our mothers give us. Can any future gift ever measure up?

Perhaps instead, on our birthdays we should actually be sending gifts to our family and closest friends.  Thanking them for being in our life!

To honor that premise, Morgan Claire Dunn on her 31st birthday, is giving as her birthday present to the eating disorder community, the many therapists, doctors, dietitians, advocates, clinicians and yes, even the nut jobs … a part of her indomitable spirit. Her words. Words which show the love, the pain, the despair, the guilt, the happiness, the sorrow, the soulfulness, the spirituality that persons who are suffering and dying from eating disorders feel. Her words.

But, don’t just read them.

Contemplate and reflect upon the messages, the meanings, the depth of those words. And then ask yourself … am I really doing the absolute best I can? Am I open to all persons, ideas, thoughts and opinions regarding eating disorders?

Happy Birthday my beloved Morgan. Your fight continues. Your flame still burns brightly.

Kelly Burk Nobbe

Today is the 15th commemoration day of when Kelly Burk Nobbe was taken. A day which will forever be a personal tragedy for her parents, Nancy and Randy Burk.

Kelly’s light, her legacy, in addition to being carried in the hearts of Nancy and Randy, is also being kept vibrant through the work being done through the Something for Kelly Foundation, a foundation started by Kelly’s aunt, Patti Geolat. SFK holds an annual golf tournament in the St. Louis area organized by Kelly’s two brothers. This tournament is sold out each year well in advance of the date.

Nancy, Randy, Patti and Kelly’s siblings tell us that in life, Kelly was a force to be reckoned with. The oldest of her siblings, Kelly was the one “large and in charge.” A force of nature. And then … Kelly’s husband woke up on this day 15 years ago to find that Kelly would never wake up again.

I found and am embedding the obituary for Kelly:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/belleville/name/kelly-nobbe-obituary?id=19946955

The obituary itself does not begin to scratch the surface for the giant Kelly was.  But the 60 comments on her obituary site begin to give insight into who Kelly was … and the indelible impression she left in so many people’s lives.

The day your child is taken is perhaps the most horrific day a parent can face. A parent’s greatest fear. The one thing that fills you with unspeakable anguish. To have your child die in your arms, or while holding their hand. An anguish you never knew existed grips you. This is day one of what could turn into a dark abyss where, as a parent you painfully trudge through the remainder of your life in the shadows of despair.

And yet, in the eating disorder community, the harsh reality is that Kelly is just a statistic.  Long forgotten. Just one more soul whose life was extinguished, once every 62 minutes … or under the current “leadership void” in the community, now once every 52 minutes.

But, not to her mom and dad. Not to her siblings. Not to her family. Not to her friends. Not to her husband. Not to those who have experienced the harsh reality of the greatest price eating disorders can exact.

Kelly Burk Nobbe deserves better.

The thousands of children who have died from anorexia nervosa deserve better.

It would be so easy to outline the many things wrong with the eating disorder community. But … not today. Not now.

Today, we honor the soul, the heart, the fighting spirit of Kelly Burk Nobbe. Today, we stand with Randy and Nancy and all those who knew and loved Kelly. Today we offer them a long hug, gentle words and reassurance that Kelly is not forgotten.

Kelly Burk Nobbe deserves that and so much more.

We do not forget. The dead do not forget. We, who remain, are the voices for their mighty message.

We must do better.

We will do better.

Kelly, we remember and honor you.

Et tu AED?

The Academy for Eating Disorders (“AED”) announced its annual international conference (“ICED”) will be held in San Antonio, Texas from May 28, 2025, through May 30, 2025.

The announcement for ICED 2025 can be found here:

https://www.aedweb.org/aed-events/iced-2024881

I will quote the most naïve, divisive, lunatic language:

“While Board members were excited at the opportunity, there was much concern for the comfort and safety of our attendees considering the political climate in the state of Texas.” 

“We understand and respect that some of you will make the decision not to attend ICED 2025 due to its location. We hope that you will continue to support AED, and perhaps consider a donation to one of the many grass roots organizations in San Antonio fighting for equality. Thank you.” 

Good Lord.

Comfort and safety of our attendees? Really?

Not attending because of its location? Really?

I guess the master plan of the ultra-right wing conservative people was leaked! This plan consists of as soon as anyone on the left of the political spectrum retrieves their luggage at the San Antonio airport, the “tree hugging, Birkenstock wearing, granola eating person” alarm will immediately and loudly sound out. Five white men in white dress shirts and jeans, will approach you, surround you and escort you to a nearby Ford 650 XL pickup truck.

From there you will be driven to Billy Bob’s Church for the Reclamation of Lost Souls.  Upon being escorted into the 25,000-seat sanctuary, you and your fellow “libruls” will be restrained in your seats.  Then, “Clockwork Orange” style, you will be forced to watch endless hours of Bible studies, religious movies and other right-wing propaganda until you are completely brainwashed.

You will then gladly become members of the church, enter into an agreement wherein you agree to tithe 20% of your gross revenue in perpetuity. Only after all of this, you will then be escorted to the hotel.

“Comfort and safety of our attendees …”

I cannot begin to fathom the insipid mania nor the superficiality of the intellect and the lack of soulfulness of people who are so entrapped by their political views that they are willing to compromise their education and understanding of eating disorders. That their radical leftist tribe means more to them than the people and families who are suffering from eating disorders. Isn’t that the ultimate act of betrayal?

For that matter, for many of those AED research professionals, how many have even been exposed to that type of suffering? Or do they merely sit in their faux ivory towers, applying for grants that very few receive? They publish a paper every three years … a paper widely read by an audience of maybe nine (9) people before it disappears into that vast gap wasteland. And they cling with quiet, and yet overwhelming desperation to the hope that “they matter” knowing all the while that they must toe the radical, “librul” company line or risk being ostracized and cancelled.

Well, here is an idea. For even one week every year, get out of your Styrofoam tower, contact a reputable clinician and then shadow them. Look into the eyes of families, of people who are suffering from eating disorders. Look at their pain. Look at their anguish. Look at their fear. And yet, we know they won’t do that.

That is because they are driven by their own fear. They do not grasp that fear is illogical and unreasonable. It is a function of our own ego. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of an unknown future. It is a product of our imagination. It requires us to consider things, events that do not currently exist and may not ever exist. Fear is a choice. And yet, fear defines them.

“Comfort and safety of our attendees …” Good Lord.

Fear has become their master. And in becoming their master, failure becomes an inevitability. Fear prevents them from growing. Fear shackles them in chains of cruelty and oppression and prevents them from embracing a brighter future.

With whatever integrity, if any, they have left, AED as an organization should just announce that henceforth, their members will only conduct research applicable to the librul mindset. That they will only support clinical treatment aimed toward the librul mindset.  That they will only hold their future conferences in librul cities like Berkeley, Seattle, Boston, or San Francisco. Where all members can be safe and comfortable among their fellow tribespersons. And they need not interact with anyone who remotely disagrees with them. They can remain safe and comfortable. Because that is working out so well for them.

After all, who cares that on its last Form 990, filed for 2022, AED showed revenue of $584,436 and expenses of $858,402 for a net income loss of -$273,966.00? Who cares that AED paid a management company, Virtual Inc. $382,358.00?  That this management fee constitutes 65.4% of its gross revenue?

In 2021, AED showed a loss of -$118,334.00.

In 2020, AED showed a loss of -$200,058.00.

But there’s nothing to see here. Move along. Move along. AED must keep pursuing their librul agenda at all costs even to the extent of suggesting that instead of making donations to worthy eating disorder causes and organizations, its more offended members should donate to organizations in San Antonio fighting for equality.

After all, it’s not like eating disorders is serious or has the second highest mortality rate amongst all mental illnesses.

“Comfort and safety of our attendees …”

Good Lord.

iaedp … The Sounds of SILENCE

“Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

iaedp board certification apparently has undergone a significant change.  When one looks at the application for certification, some very interesting things appear. Or in this case… do not appear.

In April of 2022, the iaedp certification checklist looked like this:

The requirements of association membership and symposium attendance were clearly and unambiguously set forth. [highlighting added]

Now when you go to the iaedp certification application checklist page, which is dated July 2024, it looks like this:

And so, what are the major differences? What significant requirements have been changed?

For some unknown reason iaedp has remained silent on these changes. But, we can surmise that to become board certified in eating disorders, a person no longer needs to maintain iaedp association membership. In addition, a person no longer needs to attend iaedp’s symposium once every four years.

No requirement of association membership.

No requirement of symposium attendance.

To accomplish this feat it only required numerous correspondence to Bonnie Harken, Ms. Harken’s attorneys, iaedp, iaedp’s attorneys, the iaedp corporate chapters, a class action lawsuit still in its infancy, investigations being conducted by the California Franchise Tax Board, the IRS and the Secretary of State and Attorney General of the State of Illinois, and evidence of possible tax fraud and forgery on Annual Reports filed with that Secretary of State.

Regarding the California Franchise Tax Board, one is justified in wondering whether the iaedp board of directors disclosed this information to its members or corporate chapters. After all, this is a significant issue about which iaedp members have a right to know. And if iaedp did not disclose, why not?

Regarding the possible forgery on annual reports submitted to the Illinois Secretary of State, one is justified in wondering whether the iaedp board of directors disclosed to its members and corporate chaptrers the fact that Dr. Jahraus, in a sworn affidavit submitted to the court stated that not only did he not sign those annual reports, he was not even aware of their existence. Again, this is a significant issue which iaedp members have a right to know. And if they did not disclose, why not?

Iaedp’s board of directors’ lack of candor and silence on significant issues impacting the viability of the organization itself is alarming. Especially since the issues, uncertainties and strife in which iaedp finds itself could have been handled so differently. 

On August 29, 2023, as part of a correspondence I sent to Ms. Harken, the following language was included:

“Now, in the past when confronted with iaedp’s many issues and circumstances, I would ordinarily start publishing scathing articles. In this case, I would also contact iaedp’s CPA, the Attorney General of Illinois, the Attorney General of California and the IRS. Ethics complaints would be filed. I would have also contacted every person on iaedp’s Board of Directors advising them of these issues.

It is substantially likely that iaedp would not withstand this type of scrutiny and as an organization, it would not survive. But, out of my respect for some respected professionals in the community, I have not undertaken these actions … yet.

In fact, I have been strongly encouraged to attempt resolution quietly and confidentially with you and iaedp. I have reached out in good faith.

I welcome an open discussion with you in which we attempt to correct any misconceptions and right all wrongs. I also believe this can best be accomplished by bringing in a few third parties to work together collaboratively.

I sincerely hope that is successful. If it is not successful, I believe that litigation is inevitable perhaps even on a class basis. Again, I hope that step is not necessary.”

Notice that no monetary demands were made. A request for a transparent discussion. To come together for the good of the community. To address issues about which a number of iaedp members had complained. And a question must be asked, was iaedp’s board of directors made aware of that communication? If not, that raises some very serious concerns. If the board was advised, we must presume that iaedp’s board 100% supported Ms. Harken and her statement, “I will fight to the bitter end.”

Especially since had those meetings taken place, it is substantially likely that the certification requirements would have been rectified privately and confidentially. Iaedp would look like a forward thinking organization listening to the complaints of its members.

Instead?

The response from Ms. Harken’s attorneys was to thank me for pointing out their issues (which they said had been corrected) and then to point out that the Morgan Foundation, which I started on behalf of my daughter was also not in good standing. They said I had as much business pointing out iaedp’s flaws as they did pointing out my daughter’s foundation was closed. They hoped this concluded the matter.

Iaedp erred. In perhaps the gravest way possible.

I closed the Morgan Foundation because I foresaw that some future conduct in the eating disorder community could become adversarial and unpopular with certain groups. I did not want her associated with that strife. When iaedp through its then attorneys responded as they did, to me that was impugning my daughter and memories of her. A person with the smallest amount of compassion never states nor even implies anything which could be interpreted as impugning a child who died from anorexia.

Settlement offers were made which were met by iaedp board of director’s usual and customary silence. And so now, we stand on the brink of wondering whether iaedp can possibly survive.

What we do know is that from this point forward, the symposium attendance and association membership requirements are no longer required for certification. Just as we demanded in settlement offers and in the lawsuit.

So why now? Why change the requirements now?

If these requirements did not violate the antitrust laws, why eliminate them?

If these requirements were just and fair, why eliminate them?

If there was any rational business reason to maintain these requirements, why eliminate them?

If these requirements were financially reasonable, why eliminate them?

Aren’t we reasonable in presuming that if rational, good faith answers existed for those questions, iaedp’s board of directors by now would have issued a statement explaining why those requirements would no longer apply to new applications? Instead they wrapped themselves in their usual cloak of silence.

Why make these changes in certification using a cloak of silence instead of including them as part of a global settlement of a lawsuit which threatens iaedp’s very existence? Imagine resolving the lawsuit while making the changes in the certification program. This type of announcement to iaedp’s members could have reassured those members that iaedp was moving into the future openly and transparently. Instead? Silence.

And what about the thousands of professionals who paid sums of money in that past? What about them?

It is reasonable to assume that those iaedp certified professionals who had paid large amounts of money for association membership and costs to attend its symposiums may be disgruntled, if not angry.  Understandably so. They may be wondering what recourse, if any, they may have.

As usual, iaedp certified professionals are left with the customary silence from iaedp’s board of directors.  The same silence that greeted me each and every time I attempted to resolve this matter. The same silence which has come to define iaedp.

I believe federal and state agencies’ investigations are on-going. The lawsuit is on-going and is not likely to be resolved anytime soon. But one of the demands in the lawsuit involves, on a class wide basis, reimbursement for those amounts paid by iaedp certified professionals. If the class is certified, it is very likely that class members will be reimbursed for at least some of their monetary costs. If the class is not certified, only the individual plaintiffs will still have a right to seek reimbursement for their damages.

Even though iaedp is hiding behind its curtain of silence we now know that three of the more obvious goals of the lawsuit have been achieved:

  1. Ms. Harken resigned;
  2. Association membership was eliminated;
  3. Symposium attendance was eliminated.

Mission accomplished with all three of these goals.

Unfortunately, as for iaedp and whether they can proceed in the future with honesty and transparency, that is, assuming iaedp survives, we are only met with…

Silence.

Palliative Care’s Ultimate Loss

Whether it is because media outlets are finding more click bait worthy stories or whether it is because we have finally passed a tipping point, we are finding more stories seemingly on a weekly basis on the attempted intersection between anorexia nervosa and palliative care.

The Shadows of our Demise. The Harbingers of Hopelessness.

In the Netherlands, a 29 year old is allowed to take her own life after suffering from mental health issues.  Her doctors believe they are out of options and have given up hope.

A 34 year old young woman in the Netherlands is diagnosed with an eating disorder, recurrent depression, autism and mild learning difficulties. She said she tried countless therapies but struggled her entire life. And then in 2022, a counselor told her that euthanasia for psychiatric reasons was legal. She made it her goal ever since, admitting that she always thought about death.

In the UK, recently a 19 year old young lady suffering from anorexia died from eating disorders after waiting for treatment. The UK’s overburdened mental health system could not admit her for treatment.

In the United States, a very small sect of treatment providers is embracing medical aid in dying for persons suffering from anorexia. Palliative care for persons with eating disorders has entered our lexicon. This despite the fact that we have no generally accepted standard of care for treating eating disorders and limited knowledge of evolving medical interventions to treat this brain-based illness. The ignorance in the medical and mental health industries has grown so much that some treatment professionals have written, “Terminal Anorexia” (don’t get me started) is the same as Severe and Enduring Anorexia Nervosa.

I can’t help but wonder … for those medical and mental health professionals who support, if not actively engage in physician assisted suicide for those who suffer from anorexia, how many have had a beloved child die because of this insidious illness? Or is it merely an academic exercise impacting persons not of their blood line? How many have felt that anguish that cannot be adequately described and yet, still tears apart your heart and soul to a depth that cannot be fathomed unless experienced? How many of those medical or mental health professionals who have looked into the eyes of a patient suffering from eating disorders and who said, “I can do no more. There is no hope.” have had a child cruelly ripped from life?

Any? Probably not. That type of pain forever changes you.

So, for those medical and mental health practitioners who support physician assisted suicide for anorexia nervosa, let me attempt to describe for you, [as much as my limited abilities permit] the pain, the anguish so deep, so permanent, that it is almost beyond comprehension.

Think of your beloved daughter. The memories. The memories of going on Indian Princess campouts in Southern Oklahoma. And as you walk back to your tents late at night, you are holding her in your arms, she so young and precious, and then you look up and see the blackest of night skies, bright stars so numerous as to be uncountable … you see so clearly, the Hale-Bopp comet. You breathe in your daughter. You feel her so close to you. Her head on your chest, hearing your heartbeat. You see her innocent eyes closing, a blissful smile on her face.

You remember the joy on her face as that very afternoon, she caught her first fish! And she is jumping with elation.

You remember so distinctly the day she was born. And you being filled with an incredible love that captures you.

You think of those many nights helping with homework.

You think of those nights when, because you are a dad and she is a blossoming young lady, she wants nothing to do with you!

Then, you think of those many days and nights when she called you “twins.”

You think of that day when you took her to the circus. How she clapped with joy when the elephants marched in.  And her howls of glee when a circus clown dragged you to the center ring and threw plates with you while thousands looked on.

You remember taking her to Del Frisco’s Steakhouse for her 10th birthday and after the waiter announced all the specials that night, she looks him in the eyes and says… “I believe I will have the lobster.” You laugh seeing the waiter’s incredulous face.  And then smile watching her take each piece of lobster and delicately dip it in butter and eat it with a smile on her face.

You remember taking her to her first opera when she was 7 years old. As intermission happens, she looks at you and sweetly asks, “Daddy, will there by more music after halftime?”

But you also remember years of struggle, pain and heartache.

And then, one dark night. One dark, unholy night, eating disorders claims its next victim. As you are holding her hand, the attending doctor looks up at you and softly says, “She’s gone.”

In your numbness, shock and an anguish that cannot be measured, you realize that you will never be the same. The man, the parent, the daddy you were, is forever changed. Whoever you thought you were … is gone.

After awhile, you come to realize that you will never see the joy on her face when she tells you, “Daddy! I am engaged!” You will never walk her down the aisle. You will never have that first Daddy-Daughter dance at her wedding reception. You will never hold for the first time your grandchild from your beloved daughter.

You will never hold nor hug your daughter ever again. And you will never, ever, ever, ever hear again, your daughter’s voice saying, “Daddy, I love you.”

It is exactly that.  That is what physician assisted suicide for anorexia rips away. That is the dagger to the heart. That precious life. Those precious words. Gone forever.

“Daddy … I love you.”