Corinne Vien

Because Jake's return to life came with questions. Dark, unanswered ones. And so, he began retracing the steps that led to his collapse. Revisiting every decision, every silence, every person who may have played a role. The truth isn't easy, and sometimes the answers aren't what you want to hear. But Jake is determined to make peace with what happened, or to seek justice through it.

Because Jake's return to life came with questions. Dark, unanswered ones. And so, he began retracing the steps that led to his collapse. Revisiting every decision, every silence, every person who may have played a role. The truth isn't easy, and sometimes the answers aren't what you want to hear. But Jake is determined to make peace with what happened, or to seek justice through it.

Munchausen by proxy, known now in the DSM as factitious disorder imposed on another, FDIA, is a rare and chilling form of abuse. It occurs when a caregiver, most often a parent, intentionally causes or fabricates illness in someone under their care in order to gain attention, sympathy, or validation from others.

Munchausen by proxy, known now in the DSM as factitious disorder imposed on another, FDIA, is a rare and chilling form of abuse. It occurs when a caregiver, most often a parent, intentionally causes or fabricates illness in someone under their care in order to gain attention, sympathy, or validation from others.

Though rare, Munchausen by proxy has gained significant public awareness in recent years, largely due to the highly publicized case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard. The case exposed how insidious Munchausen by proxy can be, how abusers manipulate not just their victims, but entire systems of trust, from doctors to charities to communities. And so, how does Jake fit into all of this?

Though rare, Munchausen by proxy has gained significant public awareness in recent years, largely due to the highly publicized case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard. The case exposed how insidious Munchausen by proxy can be, how abusers manipulate not just their victims, but entire systems of trust, from doctors to charities to communities. And so, how does Jake fit into all of this?

And this is where Jake found Dr. Mark Feldman. Dr. Feldman, who has since retired, is an international expert in factitious disorders, including Munchausen by proxy. He's served as an expert consultant and an expert witness in cases nationally and internationally. And also, his website is the first one that pops up when Googling Munchausen by proxy.

And this is where Jake found Dr. Mark Feldman. Dr. Feldman, who has since retired, is an international expert in factitious disorders, including Munchausen by proxy. He's served as an expert consultant and an expert witness in cases nationally and internationally. And also, his website is the first one that pops up when Googling Munchausen by proxy.

Jake received an email which detailed a bit of what the process was to determine whether Munchausen by proxy had been perpetrated on him and any ensuing investigation. He was also asked questions about his access to his health care records, if he was still married, and other questions which detailed the concern and danger that he could be in if he was, in fact, a victim of Munchausen by proxy.

Jake received an email which detailed a bit of what the process was to determine whether Munchausen by proxy had been perpetrated on him and any ensuing investigation. He was also asked questions about his access to his health care records, if he was still married, and other questions which detailed the concern and danger that he could be in if he was, in fact, a victim of Munchausen by proxy.

Jake's initial investigation into the disorder stalled when further inquiry required payment. However, I reached out to the organization Munchausen Support, and through them, I was connected with Jordan Hope, a survivor of Munchausen by proxy abuse and a powerful advocate in the field.

Jake's initial investigation into the disorder stalled when further inquiry required payment. However, I reached out to the organization Munchausen Support, and through them, I was connected with Jordan Hope, a survivor of Munchausen by proxy abuse and a powerful advocate in the field.

Jordan serves on the MVP committee board through APSAC, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and their work is focused on helping survivors heal and navigate life after this abuse. They lead support groups, manage intake and referrals for those affected by MBPA, and they offer one-on-one coaching.

Jordan serves on the MVP committee board through APSAC, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and their work is focused on helping survivors heal and navigate life after this abuse. They lead support groups, manage intake and referrals for those affected by MBPA, and they offer one-on-one coaching.

Jordan also travels the country giving presentations to professionals to improve the care and recognition of Munchausen by proxy victims. After I reached out, Jordan's team was able to contact Dr. Feldman and confirm the correspondence with Jake and with the professional he was referred to by Dr. Feldman.

Jordan also travels the country giving presentations to professionals to improve the care and recognition of Munchausen by proxy victims. After I reached out, Jordan's team was able to contact Dr. Feldman and confirm the correspondence with Jake and with the professional he was referred to by Dr. Feldman.

Through my conversations with Jordan, they really helped me better understand what Munchausen by proxy can look like in real-life cases.

Through my conversations with Jordan, they really helped me better understand what Munchausen by proxy can look like in real-life cases.

Jordan was connected with many other experts in the field like Mark Weber, Beatrice Yorker, and Andrea Dunlop, and from there was offered a position co-facilitating support groups. And Munchausen Support has a lot of groups.

Jordan was connected with many other experts in the field like Mark Weber, Beatrice Yorker, and Andrea Dunlop, and from there was offered a position co-facilitating support groups. And Munchausen Support has a lot of groups.