But that's not the only reason I applaud Manheim and her work - she is clearly a gifted, dedicated artist who continually strives to improve her craft as an actor, writer, and activist. She is a strong-willed, determined fighter as well as a compassionate and empathetic person who clearly values honesty, loyalty, and kindness to others among all human characteristics (and practises what she preaches!!) She is also modest enough to thank those who helped her along the way in both her professional and personal growth.
And people have problems with this?????
Camryn Manheim's memoir was an inspiration to me personally and professionally, as I'm a software-engineer-by-day-trying-to-make-it-as-a-would-be-writer-by-night, who has also dealt with weight-related issues from both sides (I was slightly overweight in high school, then became bulimarexic late in HS and college). Having only recently reached a healthy (though not "ideal") weight is only the trivial side of my "success" story - I feel my true personal success came at age 28, when I finally began to accept and forgive myself more, understand myself (as well as other people!) more deeply, and work harder for what I wanted and what I believed in. I identified so succinctly with Manheim's own personal struggles with parents, friends, peers, and colleagues; her memoir will always be a positive reminder, reinforcing me and making me laugh and cry at the same time. I'm ever so hopeful that people who initially shun Manheim's work will have second thoughts and become enlightened, and those who do understand (like many of us here) will hopefully never "drop the torches"...thanks Camryn! :)