Patient Profiles

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Throughout the past three years, the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) has had the privilege of working with and providing services to hundreds of thousands of individuals affected by the disease of obesity, morbid obesity and childhood obesity. From distributing materials to answering phone calls in the office, the OAC has diligently represented the obesity community with passion and determination.

One of the most enlightening aspects of the OAC is the ability to reach patients on a one-on-one basis through Patient Profiles. Patient Profiles often articulate and elaborate on the stories of those affected by all forms of obesity.

The stories profile a wide range of topics and issues. Most stories discuss the patient’s treatment journey and others tell the story of a patient desperately trying to access medical treatment for their disease.

These profiles are the heart and soul of the OAC. They are the reason for the OAC’s existence and the reason for its progression in helping all those affected by obesity through educational, advocacy and supportive efforts.

Bringing Patients Together at the Walk from Obesity - Walk on the Capitol

On June 17, 2008, the OAC will not only represent the hundreds of thousands of individuals it has helped throughout the past three years, but also the millions of Americans impacted by obesity by hosting the Walk from Obesity – Walk on the Capitol in Washington, DC. This will be a history-making event bringing together individuals who are affected by obesity to walk and raise awareness and national attention of obesity and its health and quality of life impact in/on our society.

This event is a first of its kind, as individuals will be gathering in Washington, DC, to walk on the National Mall and spread a powerful message to government of the need for expanded efforts to manage this rising obesity epidemic.

More information on the Walk on the Capitol may be found on the official Walk Web site at www.walkonthecapitol.com, or you can see page 5 of this newsletter for more details.
It is our pleasure to share with you excerpts from various Patient Profiles that we have had the opportunity to feature in OAC News. We hope that these have inspired you and that we can count on you to help us in continuing to spread our important and powerful message.

“A Family Effort”
Eva Samartzis

For 20 years, Eva said she dieted with little or no results. “I tried Medifast, Weight Watchers, you know all the popular ones, but I never saw any weight come off,” said Eva. Here and there she would lose some weight. At times, maybe she would lose 15 pounds, but then she said she would just put 20 back on again.

In 2005, depressed and down on herself, Eva knew she had to do something about the weight. “I felt that inside I was sad. I was depressed. I would go to Europe for a vacation and people would say, ‘You live in America. Why are you fat? You have the best doctors and medicine.’ They never took the time to realize they were hurting me with the comments,” said Eva.

“Ryan’s Story”
Ryan

“I feel angry. I am angry at myself,” said Ryan. His anger was visible, not only through emotion, but also through expression. His eyes looked to the floor, closely followed by his eyebrows turning inward and down.

This was something that Ryan was angry at, but also frustrated by the lack of self-control he had over his own weight. He was scared. Scared at what this disease could do to him. Ryan’s grandfather was diabetic and obese, and eventually passed away from diabetes. This young man knows firsthand what this disease can do to someone.

“Total Change”
Wayne Bolt

In January of 2006, Wayne’s weight skyrocketed to 500 pounds - mostly due to the original weight Wayne packed on during his football career and a lack of diet and exercise once his playing days ended.

“It was January 23, 2006 and I could barely move. I couldn’t walk and everything hurt. I knew I had to do something about my weight,” said Wayne.

After reaching this overwhelming realization, Wayne decided to see his doctor about his weight. Wayne eventually consulted with a bariatric surgeon and decided to seek out Roux-EN-Y gastric bypass surgery.

“Turning My Life around”
Tim Liebmann

“I was doing this with only diet and exercise, and boy was it tough. My wife came to me one day and gave me this little ceramic angel, and I put it on my sink. I remember saying to that thing, ‘Today is going to be a hard day, but I am going to tell you all about it tomorrow.’ It was helpful to me,” said Tim.

With Tim’s weight decreasing, so was his high blood pressure. He told me of a time when he visited his cardiologist and literally broke down into tears.

“I remember she put me on the scale and for the first time in my life, I didn’t max it out. I began to cry. The nurse looked at me like I was crazy until I explained why I cried,” laughed Tim. That day Tim also received the great news that his blood pressure was lower than before and could possibly go off of medications completely.