Eagle Scout Project

N is currently considering doing an Eagle Scout project that would involve eating disorder advocacy. He is thinking of putting together informational packets about anorexia and distributing them to local pediatricians and middle-school counselors. He is thinking of including a page telling his story, a list of symptoms and treatment options, a pamphlet with local treatment resources, and maybe the Kartini Clinic DVD. What else could he include?

Previously, as N had thumbed through lists and lists and lists of possible Eagle Scout projects, he just ho-hummed. I could tell that he felt like these ideas wouldn't make much of a difference in the world. After several days of throwing ideas back and forth, he started exploring the idea about helping others with eating disorders. As soon as we starting talking about all the possibilities in this area, he really got excited.

You may remember that N's pediatrician was really unknowledgeable about anorexia. The pediatrician didn't recognize his symptoms as an eating disorder. Once we identified the problem as anorexia and asked for a referral, his pediatrician referred us to a psychologist that deals with children with behavior-disorders (which is obviously an inappropriate referral). As I look back now, I'm also so surprised that the pediatrician didn't immediately order tests and set up a weekly-check-up schedule. At one point when we really needed to have a quick medical work-up, we lucked out and saw a different on-call pediatrician who had done a rotation in an eating disorder clinic. He knew what tests to do and how to read the results. I know that was a huge blessing at the time. Until we found a team at our local children's hospital, N really didn't have the medical attention that he should have had.

Anyway, N feels like it could really make a difference if he provided additional (especially local) information about anorexia to pediatricians like his own. I'd like to help him find a way to do this so that he can maintain some bit of privacy and yet still make a difference. Any suggestions?

Still Good

N is still doing really well. I am still monitoring his calorie intake pretty carefully. In fact, I'm mostly doing a magic plate with him for breakfast and dinner. Though I let him fill his own plate, I'll add to it if I feel like it is deficient. He doesn't resist at all. This is where it is easy to relax and let down my guard. But I just keep relearning that I can't do that.