As a parent, you never want your child to feel isolated, judged or misunderstood. Yet for many young people living with obesity, those feelings can become part of everyday life.

One mother recently shared her family’s experience with OAC’s Thrive Together Youth and Families Program and the difference it made for her son.

For years, she watched her son struggle. While he rarely complained, she could see the effects of difficult days at school. As he moved into middle school, teasing and bullying became more common. He faced hurtful comments, exclusion and cruel jokes from classmates. Despite his efforts to manage his weight, he continued to gain weight and often blamed himself.

After seeking help from healthcare providers, her family learned that several factors were contributing to his weight challenges, including a slower metabolism and stress-related eating. During an appointment with his care team, they were introduced to Thrive Together and invited to attend OAC’s Your Weight Matters National Convention.

At first, the opportunity seemed simple: a chance to meet other teens with similar experiences. What happened was far more meaningful.

Throughout the weekend, her son connected with young people who understood what he had been through. He participated in activities, made friends and experienced something he had been missing for years: a sense of belonging.

When he returned home, he couldn’t stop talking about the people he met and the memories he made. Then, for the first time, he began sharing details about his own experiences that he had never told his family before.

He spoke about being teased, pushed, excluded and mocked because of his weight. He described skipping lunch at times to avoid comments from classmates. He also shared stories from other teens he met at the convention who had faced similar challenges.

What stood out most to his mother was how quickly those connections formed.

“These kids bonded over one weekend,” she shared. “They needed this weekend to feel like they weren’t alone.”

Today, her son continues to stay in touch with friends he met through the program and looks forward to reconnecting with them each year. Alongside ongoing medical care and support, he is thriving.

Stories like this remind us why programs like Thrive Together matter. Young people living with obesity deserve opportunities to connect with peers, access support and know they are not alone in their experiences.

At OAC, we believe every child deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. Through Thrive Together, we’re creating spaces where young people can build confidence, find community and discover they are not alone. Stories like this remind us why this work matters.

Stay connected with Thrive Together by signing up for our newsletter to receive program updates and educational resources. If you’re able, please consider making a donation to support Thrive Together’s mission of providing community, education and life-changing experiences for young people and families affected by obesity. Together, we can ensure children and families have access to the understanding, encouragement and support they deserve.