Thank you for your comments on my post. It has been quite a learning experience! This is my first time “blogging” and I am stunned by the venom and illogical assumptions. I feel kinda bullied ;-). However, I will certainly word any future posts more tactfully.

Just to address some assumptions: I am not a therapist or counselor, I am genetically fortunate, I don’t take up someone else’s seat on a plane, I don’t read tabloids, and I don’t see this as “my side.” I don’t frequent donut shops, but will eat donuts, and I don’t need a coffin because I have planned for cremation.

When I see a thin person I don’t think they are bulimic or anorexic. Why would I? I may find them aesthetically pleasing or not -- just as I would anyone else. I am interested in knowing their experiences, passions, hopes, dreams and character.

I have five relationships with friends and family (and their spouses and boyfriends who are also my friends) who have bulimia. I base my comment on their painful experiences. If you know someone well for over five years there is a significant amount of sharing. We have been on vacations or lived together and spent many hours in each other’s company. If no one has confided in you regarding this situation it does not invalidate my experience. I am blessed with dozens of long-term friends and their extended families, some of whom I’ve known since high school. We frequently get together for all kinds of enjoyable activities. They are diverse, smart, funny, kind and downright lovable. Sometimes we disagree and sometimes we annoy each other, but in the end it is just ok.

I have witnessed some of these wonderful people bullied or made fun of because of their size. On one occasion, I told my father who ridiculed my overweight cousin that his behavior was unacceptable and not funny. He told me he never thought of it as being mean and to his credit apologized.

I do enjoy seeing people get what they want out of life and I wish everyone tolerable seat mates on future plane journeys. After reading each of your other posts regarding various issues on Slate, I most of all I wish you compassion, tolerance and maturity. Failing that: perfection.