Dear Spark Guy,

I was very disappointed and saddened when Spark People leadership determined Beth Donovan (~INDYGIRL) would no longer write for the Daily Spark. My understanding is you have made the decision to only use "expert" contributors for the Daily Spark.

I can understand you may define "expert" as someone with advanced education and perhaps lots of letters behind their name. These credentials can be important in validating information. However, I believe you are making a woefully bad business decision in deciding Beth's personal experience does not qualify her as an expert.

After all, how many handicapped people do you know who weighed 460 pounds and by following Spark People guidelines has lost 205 pounds? No weight loss surgery, no diet pills, no fad diets, no "dieting" period, Beth has done it the old fashioned way...she took in less calories than she burned.

Experts with a solid educational background can help us with their knowledge and give us information, but if they have never experienced morbid obesity they can never have the perspective Beth so courageously blogs about as she lives her life.

I don't know what Beth's educational background is, but I do know she is a talented writer who is articulate using correct grammar etc. She has inspired, motivated, encouraged thousands if not hundreds of thousands of us who have followed her blogs. I found her by seeing her on the Daily Spark. It's a shame future Spark members likely will not have exposure to someone who has promoted what the core essence of Spark People is all about.

Respectfully,
Linda Carson Gorkis R.N.
(andylin90)