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'My 600-lb Life' fans slam Wess Schulze's dad for avoiding conversation when he confronts him

Wess recalled his family members pushed him back after he came out of the closet as a teenager because they thought it was bad

If you or anyone you know suspects child abuse, you are urged to immediately call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org.

HOUSTON, TEXAS: Even though Wess Schulze does not blame his father for his tragic childhood, viewers are unable to let it go. Fans of 'My 600-lb Life' were outraged after finding that Wess received no help from his father while growing up and allegedly experiencing sexual assault.

In Wednesday's episode of 'My 600-lb Life', viewers met 705-pound Wess. Wess, who lives alone, discloses that he was assaulted by a family member when he was very young. As a result of this trauma, he gorged himself on food. He told the cameras that he felt that if he gorged himself until he was "morbidly fat and crazily ugly," he wouldn't have to worry about anyone injuring him the way he was mistreated as a youngster.

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Wess opens up to Dr Paradise about abuse

Wess' passion for food began as a child. His father was an excellent cook who served his children "generous" portions of food, which warped Wess' perception of what a portion should be. He associated enormous meals with affection, and eating was a rare bright spot in a childhood marked by "doom and gloom." When his parents split when he was three, Wess' father was given custody of him. Because his father was a truck driver, he spent a lot of time away from home. As a child, his sister, who was seven years older than him, often had to be his carer.

His father's absence had a catastrophic effect on him as well. A male family member allegedly sexually molested Wess while his father was away. Food became a coping mechanism for him as he dealt with his tragedy. People avoided him because he was overweight. "If nobody wants me, then nobody can hurt me," Wess adds.

When Wess' father discovered he was gay, he informed him his sexual orientation was unacceptable. He then forced him to meet with the local preacher. Wess' father's rejection made him feel emotionally abandoned.

Wess opens up about his experience to Dr Matthew J Paradise, stating that his family pushed it under the rug when it happened. Furthermore, he described coming out of the closet as a teenager, only to be pushed back by family members who told him it was bad.

'That conversation didn’t sit right with me'

When Wess finally decided to confront his dad, the conversation didn't sit well with most viewers, "That conversation didn’t sit right with me. Wess’ dad was like “Sorry that happened to you. Oh well or whatever.” One disappointed fan added, "Sucks that Wess has to have this conversation with his dad at 36 because his dad didn’t want to hear it when Wess was younger." Another fan added, "Welcome to Dr Paradise. Ignoring abuse did not go good. Oooh so dad shut it down. He hushes his abuse and sexuality by burying it with food." Feeling bad for Wess, a fan wrote, "Dang. Alcoholic mom. Dad mostly gone. Left home alone. Sexually abused. Just horrible a horrible childhood."

Some fans felt Wess' father was trying to avoid having the emotional conversation, "Do y’all think that Rick brought all that food as his emotional crutch as well since there was going to be an uncomfortable conversation?" Another person added, "His father knew what he wanted to talk about that’s why he brought all the food 2 avoid that conversation. Because look how much food brought over there. Like he just didn’t bring enough 4 himself, his father bought enough food for a family gathering." One fan quipped, "Wes’ dad was so uncomfortable with that conversation he poured a whole container of salt on his food."

Season 11 of 'My 600-lb Life' airs every Wednesday on TLC and Discovery+.

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