Born2lbfat

My life with Lipedema & Lymphedema...destined to be fat.

My TEDx Talk: Breaking Bias

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My goal for 2014 was to have at least one speaking opportunity. I achieved that by being selected to give an Ignite at Fitbloggin’14. In addition, I presented at the Your Weight Matters National Convention, and was a Patient Panelist at the Mayo Clinic Social Media Week. The Summer of Sarah, as I deemed it, was a whirlwind of activity highlighted by my appearance on the syndicated television show The Doctors.

So how could I improve upon what I had accomplished in 2014?

A TEDx Talk of course! And thankfully the university I attended, Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, hosted a local TEDx event: TEDxNSU. The theme for 2015 was Perception and I immediately thought of how I could apply my story, my advocacy to the theme. With the help of a friend, whom I met at Fitbloggin, I focused my topic and my message and submitted my application.

I chose the title Breaking Bias as a hint at the popular television series Breaking Bad because perception was a key element in that plot. But overall because my message, my idea worth sharing, is that we must end the weight bias that exist in healthcare.

Lipedema Awareness: Just Keep Talking

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As Dorie the Fish would say “Just Keep Swimming”, in my case in order to spread awareness about Lipedema, I’ll “Just Keep Talking”, sharing my experiences and stories. Today yet another opportunity was presented to me, it was quite a whirlwind afternoon. At about 11:30 this morning I received an e-mail from James at the Obesity Action Coalition asking if I’d be interested in participating in a BBC show looking for people to share their story of living with obesity at 1:30 PM. I immediately replied, “Yes”…then I inquired about some details like “what’s the actual topic of the show?”, “who else was participating?”. Within minutes a staff member from BBC called me to give me more details, and to ask more information about me and my experiences with obesity. Oh and he asked if I had access to Skype, sure I do!

The show was BBC World Have Your Say and the segment was in regards to the story of Kevin Chenais, 22-year-old man from France who was stranded in Chicago because British Airways said that at 500lbs he was too fat to fly. Virgin Atlantic stepped up and flew Chenais to London, where he then encountered another travel issue. I was very familiar with the story, and relieved to hear he was finally getting help to get home.

There I sat in my bed, in my nightshirt, hair in ponytail, glasses on.

Skype means video, right? Ugh, I can’t talk about obesity from BED…what would people think? Probably nothing worse than they already think, but anyway I quickly got dressed, brushed my hair, and put some make-up on. Then another BBC staffer contacted me via Skype to test my connection and I found out it was going to be a radio show. Whew.

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I was instructed that the host would start the conversation but that they wanted the participants to just keeping talking in reply to each other, no waiting on the host to call on me for my opinion just chime right in with my comments. “Is that something you’d be comfortable doing?” That’s something I do all the time!

So I had the pleasure of chatting with two new friends, Becky and Misty, both bloggers who, like me, embrace the word FAT.

Here is the link to our conversation on World Have Your Say: (our segment begins At 31:20)

http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/…/whys/whys_20131120-1910a.mp3

 

Secure Your Mask Before Helping Others

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National Health Blog Post Month Day 19 – Top Three Tuesday

Give three pieces of advice you would give to a caregiver.

1. “Secure your mask before helping others” – Yes, the line from the airplane safety presentation, but it’s true for all aspects in life, especially for caregivers. Remember you need to be at your best in order to help others, that includes being physically and emotionally healthy. I will admit my first time being a caregiver was stressful, the hospital care the first night was not as I would have liked. I could have slept overnight in my friends private room but I knew I would not get as good as rest as I needed, and I the next day when I arrived back to the hospital the morning nursing staff had everything in order, my friend was in good spirits and ready to go home. I was well rested and ready to get him settled at home. Seek out a caregiver support group, and try to have back-up help. I know at my last job there was a Caregiver Support Network.

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2. Allow the patient to be as self-sufficient as possible – From my experience as both a patient and as a caregiver, both in short term care situations, the more the patient can do for themselves the healthier they are, and you will be also. (See #1) My mom is a nurse, and I am thankful she was able to stay with me after most of my major surgeries. As she would take care of drains, or bandages, she would explain to me what she was doing and why in case I needed to do it myself. Eventually she had me do it myself, I would joke that she was “a bad nurse” and she’d reply back “I’m making you self sufficient, it’s part of your recovery plan”. Of course not every patient is as able as I was, but encourage even small tasks, no one wants to feel helpless. It’s often difficult to accept help at all.  I know as a caregiver I appreciated when the patient did for themselves. My friend had a minor unexpected complication, I joked that my nursing fee had increased. However, in actuality they were a great patient. I would arrive with lunch, and they had already emptied drains and documented information. The only thing I needed to do was change bandages in an unreachable area. I would bring over food that just needed to be heated for dinner.

3. Be an Advocate – But do not be a bother. There is a difference between advocating for someone and hounding hospital staff, especially if it’s not the correct hospital staff. Remember healthcare should be a TEAM endeavor. Patient, nurses, doctors all on the same team with the patients health as the goal. If you want respect as a family member or care giver, and you want the patient to get the best care, communicate with calm respect. I know it can be difficult, as with illness many emotions are involved. However, it is key to getting your end goals met. Yes, sometimes you need to be a squeaky wheel but remember a squeak can be still be respectful.  I learned a lot from my mom being an RN. I understand the job the RN has, and the many other patients they have to care for in addition to me or my friend.

Sorry I need a another….

4. Make it Official – If you are the main caregiver in a serious medical situation, be sure the patient has given you the authority to make healthcare decision for them. Medical power of attorney, or healthcare surrogate. Do not ASSUME the patient’s wishes or your wishes will be honored at all times. Hospitals have laws to which they have to abide by, and often multiple family members want to chime in on what is best for the patient. Do not put the staff or your family in middle of a fight at a time when the focus should be on the patient.

What advice do you have for caregivers or patients?

Healthcare and Social Media – Empowering Patients

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