During his family crisis, Dave Olsen talks to Us executive editor Ken Baker.

HOW IS MARY-KATE RIGHT NOW?
She's hanging in theire. I don't know if [anorexia] is anything you ever get over, I just think you have to deal with it. Now she has a lot of support.
HOW LONG HAS SHE BEEN COPING WITH ANOREXIA?
It's been a battle for Mary-Kate for the past couple of years. She and Ashley had busy lives with their school commitments, so we tried to work around the perimeter of the problem[with outpatient therapy]. But when high school ended and their New York Minutes work was over, it seemed like the time for Mary-Kate to attack the problem aggressively[in an impatient facility]
SHE CHECKED INTO THE TREATMENT FACILITY IN MID-JUNE. HOW LONG WILL SHE STAY?
I don't know. It's up to the professionals. I just have to trust them. My number 1 concertn is that she can focus on getting well there in peace.
HOW LOW DID HER WEIGHT GET?
It fluctuates. I'd rather not talk in specifics but it was low enough to where you take two steps forward and one step back. You know, its a process.
HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT SEEING THOSE PHOTOS OF HER AT THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME CEREMONY?
That was pretty scary for me. I think her weight would drop at times where you know it would be somewhat alarming.
WERE YOU ABLE TO EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS TO HER?
I take advice from the doctors that are helping her. They understand anorexia a lot more that I do, and I think I can do probably more harm than good trying to voice my opinion
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE RUMPRS THAT MARY-KATE IS IN REHAB FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
I can't control what other people say. It's frustrating but I have got to keep my eye on the ball right now, which is Mary-Kate and her getting better
HOW HAS MARY-KATE RESPONDED TO TREATMENT?
It's a good opportunity she is having now and it seems she's making progress. She's looking better and she's carrying herself better. That puts a smile on my face.
ARE YOU ABLE TO TALK TO HER DAILY ON THE PHONE?
I don't talk to her daily. I'll leave her messages, she'll leave me messages probably every other day.
A LOT OF YOUNG WOMEN WILL PROBABLY GET HELP AFTER READING HER STORY. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?
Anorexia afflicts a lot of people. I was dumbfounded at the number. Again I don't think it's something you're really ever cured from, but maybe if you can make a little difference at some point in time, I think that's something Mary-Kate might do, because thats's the kind of person she is.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HER SPIRITS?
Good. As a father it's hard to see your baby go through something like that.I think she really appreciates all the sympathy.She will get through this.


"SHE'S GAINING WEIGHT, SO I'M HAPPY ABOUT THAT. TO ME THAT'S A GOOD SIGN." -Dave Olsen father of Mary-Kate and Ashley