Arizona Woman Seeks Something

Susanne Eman is a thirty-three-year-old mother of two from Casa Grande, Arizona. She is attempting to become the largest human being ever, with her target weight being more than 1,600 pounds. She currently weighs over 750 pounds, and has recently become engaged to a chef, Parker Clack.

I was struck by her story. I can and have drawn a million conclusions about her state of mind, her past, her future, and the people in her life, which are all swimming around in my brain at the moment. I ache for a way to explore what this article evokes within me that doesn’t rob this person of her individuality and humanity, and turn her into an example for a larger discussion about our nation and our culture’s incredibly unhealthy relationships with food and our own bodies (not to mention our obsession with falsely constructed beauty ideals and celebrity).

But I can’t find a way to have that larger conversation, which is what I really want to do, without judgment, and without losing sight of the fact that I don’t know Susanne Eman. I have a basic understanding of nutrition and body health, and the psychological implications of eating disorders. But I am not a doctor. All I can say with certainty is that I have a great deal of compassion for Susanne Eman. I’m grateful to have read a part of her story, and can only wish her all the best.