Judith Sullivan discusses "The Terrifying Wind: Seeking Shelter Following the Death of a Child." This event is co-sponsored by The Emily Program and the University of Minnesota College of Education & Human Development.

“Judith Sullivan’s fearless documentary of her family’s experience is remarkable, gripping and immediate. Part memoir, part medical investigation and a gallery of clear-eyed portraits of friends who steadfastly supported her in the spiral of unspeakable grief.”--Patricia Hampl, author of The Florist's Daughter

When twenty-five-year-old Melissa Sullivan arrived at the hospital, she was already in a coma. Holding on to hope, Judith Sullivan, her husband, and her son and his wife waited in the hospital waiting room for days. But Melissa did not survive the cardiac arrest.

The Terrifying Wind: Seeking Shelter Following the Death of a Child is a haunting and honest account of how one family survived such a horrible assault to its psyche. Anyone who has lost a child or a loved one will find hope at the end of the storm. Anyone who has felt helpless watching a friend struggle to cope with such a loss will find a practical guide on how to become a life supporter to someone whose life has been turned upside down.

“This is a powerful book about the senseless, devastating loss caused by eating disorders. It is a compelling story about a family's pain and how their grief has reformed their lives and their community. Through the support of family, friends, and therapy, they rebuild their forever-changed lives. It is a must read for people dealing with eating disorders and anyone who has lost someone close.”--Dirk Miller, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of The Emily Program

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Judith Sullivan grew up in southern Minnesota, received a B.A. degree from the University of Minnesota and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of St. Thomas, and has worked at a hospital in Minneapolis as a psychologist for many years. Since her daughter's death in 2001, she has written about her bereavement as it evolved over a decade.

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Founded in 1993, The Emily Program has become nationally recognized for our compassionate and personalized approach to eating disorder treatment, awareness, and lifetime recovery. We understand the tangled complexities of eating disorders, often from personal experiences. We know recovery is possible.

The University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development is a leader in advancing our knowledge of how children develop and learn, how we interact with families and communities and how we improve the lives of students in classrooms in Minnesota and around the globe.  We are driven by our belief in the value of every child and adult, each with unique talents and challenges.  We share our knowledge for public use to impact and improve lives.