Since posting this petition on social media I have had several people come forward to let me know that a similar thing has happened to them. Some of them are now in their 30s which means this kind of practice has been going on for some time.

I have also heard from several social workers who are deeply concerned about the level of fat phobia within their profession. They tell me that the majority of their colleagues believe that ob*sity in children is a sign of parental neglect. This horrifies me. 

So now I'm asking for your help. We need to make as much of a noise about this as possible. Not just on behalf of this poor family who have been treated so unfairly and incompetently for the past 10 years, but for all the children and families up and down the country who continue to endure this kind of prejudice and discrimination. 

Please share this petition with as many people as you can. I'd rather you sent out 20 texts to friends and family than you spent money on promoting it. Post it on you social media. Talk about it with your colleagues. Do whatever you can to get the message out there. And if you feel up to it, consider emailing the council directly. Health Professionals Against Weight Stigma (@hpcagainstweightstigma on instagram) have provided a template that you can use if you so choose:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CMUb2KYl31X/?igshid=28oc0n33nikz

Thank you so much for your ongoing support. 

Best wishes, 

Natasha