OACAction: Much Is Changing, Much to Change

OACAction: Much Is Changing, Much to Change

Nowhere will you find a more talented, energetic collection of advocates for people living with obesity. The OAC Board of Directors just spent the weekend in Tampa planning OACAction priorities for the coming year. It’s an exciting time when much is changing and we have much to change.

A Community of Action Takers

“We are building a community of action takers who will be known for their passion and their compassion,” OAC Chair Michelle Vicari told us. “We are a collection of people who have made the OAC our cause.”

Sarah Bramblette explained why it’s so important to her:

I see so much that’s changing to meet the needs of people living with obesity. Southwest Airlines, for instance, turned around from having terrible policies for larger travelers. The listened to us and now they have possibly the very best policies.

I see celebrities taking up the cause of body shaming and making it an unacceptable behavior. They’re calling out quick-fix diets that exploit people and do nothing for long-term health. More doctors are shifting their discussion from weight to health and treatment options. People are becoming better advocates for themselves.

And I know we can do more.

Miles to Go

All this progress reminds us that we have miles to go to reach our goals. We’re making good progress on explicit weight bias and fat shaming. But we won’t be satisfied until we’re seeing progress on implicit bias.

We are seeing progress on stupid hurdles for getting access to care for people who want it and need it. But we won’t be satisfied until we have unfettered access to care of all treatment options.

We’ve totally restructured our membership and community-building strategies to make it easy and free to join. But that’s just a start on the pathway to a vibrant community of action takers at the local, state, and national levels.

“We have passion and talent on this board and staff that will take us to a much better place for the people we serve,” said OAC CEO Joe Nadglowski. “Serving with you in this cause is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

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January 14, 2019

5 Responses to “OACAction: Much Is Changing, Much to Change”

January 14, 2019 at 1:10 pm, Adam Gilden Tsai said:

Does the OAC board think that the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act has any better of a shot in the current Congress? I must say that my meeting with my own Congresswoman in early 2018 was very disappointing, she did not support the bill and the perception on their end was that this was “a drug company thing”
- January 14, 2019 at 3:28 pm, Ted said:
  
  IMHO it will continue to be a matter of frustratingly slow progress, right up to the day it passes, Adam.
January 15, 2019 at 4:18 pm, JAIME FIVECOAT said:

Thanks for the nice blog post Ted. It is always such and honor to be a part of the wonderful group of folks.
January 17, 2019 at 3:07 pm, Pamela Rhea Davis said:

Great summary Ted. Always great to strategize with you and the other marvelous members of the board.
January 20, 2019 at 4:24 pm, JEANINE Marie SHERMAN said:

“People becoming better advocates for themselves”. So much power behind why this is important. Great mention Sarah!

Michelle Vicari, once again, you leave me with another Michelle quote to spread. “We are building a community of action takers who will be known for their passion and their compassion,” TY.

Ted, once again, fabulous blog. Ty for being the advocate, the voice, that you are.