• Home
  • About + Contact
  • Advocacy
    • Obesity
    • Lipedema and Lymphedema
    • Health Insurance
  • Big Girl Reviews
  • Living with Lipedema & Lymphedema
  • Weight Loss Surgery

Born2lbfat

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

Two Bills, One Story

July 16, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 3 Comments

capitalA journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Chinese proverb

My journey began many years ago, the steps have been difficult at times but I kept moving forward. Now is the time to put the past decade of personal struggle into action in order to help others.

Currently there are two bills before Congress, or in the process or being introduced, to which I fully support and want to see passed into law.

H.R. 2415 Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013 – On June 19, 2013, Senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ron Kind (D-WI) introduced the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2013. This legislation will provide Medicare recipients and their health care providers with meaningful tools to treat and reduce obesity by improving access to obesity screening and counseling services, and new prescription drugs for chronic weight management.

Lymphedema Treatment Act – The Lymphedema Diagnosis and Treatment Cost Saving Act will improve coverage for the treatment of lymphedema, thereby reducing health care costs while improving patient care and quality of life for millions of Americans with lymphedema.

Step 1: I have shared my personal story via Obesity Action Coalition and Lymphedema Treatment Act.

Step 2: I have contacted my Congressman, and Senators regarding both pieces of legislation. A few weeks ago I received a phone call from Rep. Wenstrup’s office in Washington, D.C. in response.

Step 3: This week my U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup’s staff will be hosting a Traveling Help Desk in my area. I plan on attending to share my story in support of BOTH bills.

The power is in us to initiate change….please join me on the journey!

meindc

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Health Insurance, Lipedema and Lymphedema, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, featured, headline, lipedema, lymphedema, morbid obesity, obesity, obesity action coalition, top

Donate to Walk from Obesity and I Will Walk in My Swimsuit

June 18, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 1 Comment

$1000 Goal = Me walking in Swimsuit

Last year at the Walk from Obesity in Dallas, TX is was unusually COLD. Note the sweatshirts!

DSC04257

This year I will once again be  walking as a member of Melting Mama’s BBGC  Team in  the Walk from Obesity during #YWM2013 in Phoenix, AZ…. in AUGUST, so I expect much warmer weather!  If I reach my goal of $1000 in donations by the morning of the walk, August 18th! I will WALK IN MY SWIMSUIT (and tutu).

Yes, the issue of possible thigh chaffing has been brought to my attention. I’ll be sure to pack extra Johnson & Johnson Pure Cornstarch Baby Powder. No worries!

The only thing I’m worried about is deciding which swimsuit to wear, I have close to 20!!!

swimsuits

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, lipedema, morbid obesity, obesity, obesity action coalition, super morbid obesity, walk from obesity, weight bias, weight lose surgery, YWM2013

Top 5 Reasons YOU Should Attend OAC’s #YWM2013

June 13, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 3 Comments

OAC YWM Badge

This year the Obesity Action Coalition is hosting the 2nd Annual Your Weight Matters National Convention, August 15-18 in Phoenix, AZ. I guarantee it will be a life changing weekend! In an attempt to convince you, I have listed my Top 5 Reasons You Should Attend #YWM2013.

#5 – YOU will MOVE during the fitness classes. A variety of fitness classes will be offered during the conference so if you already have an exercise routine the trip will not interrupt your activities. If you have yet to find a workout you enjoy this is the PERFECT opportunity to TRY new exercises in an accepting environment. Last year I attended the Yoga class, to my surprise I already OWNED the instructors DVD, I had just never attempted it. Now that I have participated in the class I am more confident in doing the moves correctly at home. Perhaps you are not quite ready for a structured fitness class or “hello, I don’t exercise on ‘vacation'”, that’s o.k. you will still MOVE during the Sunday morning Walk From Obesity.

If you are not able to participate in the Walk From Obesity, please support my participation by making a donation in my name.

DSC04257

#4 – YOU will MEET people just like YOU. No matter where you are on your journey to health there are others who are right there, or have been there. I have been to several weight related conferences in the past 9 years and have met many wonderful people, and made several friends like my pals Eggface and MeltingMama, and yet at each new event I attend I meet and make new friends. Do not be afraid about “being alone” at the event, I assure you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. We are all in this together, and we are stronger when we join our voices and stories with the OAC. Plus you never know when some weird chick who eats ketchup on her boiled egg asks if she can sit with you at breakfast. <— That was me making a new friend, Asha.

DSC04255

#3 – YOU will EAT Lunch with the Experts. Last year I made the mistake of not signing up for Lunch with the Experts, I thought lunch time might be a good time to give my lipedema legs some rest. I quickly realized what I was missing out on, and was able to sign up for an open lunch spot on site at the conference. So if in doubt I suggest SIGN UP NOW…many Lunch with the Experts sessions are already FULL. This lunch gives you the chance to discuss important topics in a small (approx 10) group setting with an expert in the field.  Click on the image to view the #YWM2013 Agenda with a list of Lunch with the Experts topics:

agenda

#2 – YOU will DANCE. Yes, you will! As I mentioned in #5, this is your chance to try new things in an open, accepting, non-judgement environment. Friday night’s Welcoming Event with be a! So use your imagination to come up with a really awesome costume, or just come as you are. Just be there, and shake your groove thing! And see if I can keep my title as reigning costume winner! I won as  Honey Boo Boo last year, complete with Go Go Juice and Glitzy!

SarahBooBoo

#1 – YOU will ADVOCATE for Obesity! I strongly encourage you to attend the Advocacy Training. It was by far my favorite part of attending the Inaugural Your Weight Matters Conference in Dallas, TX. Even if you are not able to participate in the Advocacy Training you are still advocating just by attending the #YWM2013. Sharing your story with others, empowering yourself to pursue your health goals, fighting against weight bias and stigma are all important pieces of advocacy. Advocacy against weight stigma and bias is one of the main reasons I joined the Obesity Action Coalition. You can read my story, The Part I Want: Advocate in the Your Weight Matters Magazine 2013. Watch my personal testimonial about the Inaugural YWM Conference.

 

But most of all ATTEND #YMW2013 because YOUR Weight Matters!!!!

If my Top 5 Reasons successfully convinced you to register for #YWM2013 Convention, contact the OAC in writing at convention@obesityaction.org and tell them Sarah from Born2lbFat referred you so I can be entered into the YWM2013 Recruitment CHALLENGE. Thank you in advance!!!!

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, discrimination, featured, gastric bypass, headline, morbid obesity, obesity, obesity action coalition, super morbid obesity, top, weight bias, weight bias in the workplace, weight lose surgery, YWM2013

I Support The Lymphedema Treatment Act

June 6, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 9 Comments

1_LTA_high_res_logo

In 2010 I shared My Story in support of The Lymphedema Treatment Act. The bill did not make it through the congressional process at that time and must be re-introduced. I am committed to using my newly acquired advocacy skills to help make this act a LAW.

WHY THIS LEGISLATION IS NEEDED:

  • Lymphedema is a non-curable but treatable medical condition that results in an accumulation of lymph fluid swelling in parts of the body where lymphatic vessels and/or lymph nodes are damaged, nonfunctional or inadequate. Lymphedema affects an estimated 5-6 million Americans, with the majority of cases caused by cancer treatment.
  • Untreated, or under-treated, lymphedema is progressive and leads to increased morbidity. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the gold standard and only known course of treatment for lymphedema. CDT is a multi-modal treatment that is only effective when used in its entirety.
  • Medicare currently covers all but the most critical component, the medically necessary compression supplies used daily in lymphedema treatment, citing they do not fit under any existing benefit category. As a result, many patients suffer from recurrent infections, progressive degradation in their condition and eventual disability because they cannot afford the compression supplies required to maintain their condition.

WHAT THIS LEGISLATION WILL DO:

Although this legislation relates specifically to a change in Medicare law, it would set a precedent for Medicaid and private insurers to follow.

Specific goals of the Act are:

  • Provide comprehensive lymphedema treatment coverage, according to current medical treatment standards;
  • Enable patient self-treatment plan adherence by providing necessary medical supplies for use at home, as prescribed for each patient (including gradient compression garments, bandages, and other compression devices);
  • Allow for new treatment modalities to be considered for coverage as they become available and are approved;
  • Reduce the total healthcare costs associated with this disease by decreasing the incidence of complications, co-morbidities and disabilities resulting from this medical condition.

In case you need a refresher on how the process works:

A quick one-page reference on the Lymphedema Treatment Act. To get involved visit: http://lymphedematreatmentact.org/

 

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Health Insurance, Lipedema and Lymphedema, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, featured, headline, lipedema, lymphedema, lymphedema treatment act, morbid obesity, obesity, obesity action coalition, top

My YWM Inaugural Convention Personal Testimonial

April 25, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette Leave a Comment

ywmconvention

http://youtu.be/ZQhj_6juTNE

My thoughts on the YWM Inaugural Convention, why I chose to attend and how much I enjoyed the experience.

Join me this year in Phoenix: http://www.ywmconvention.com/ Hurry, register early to save and be entered for a chance to win a FREE three-night stay at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, breaking, featured, headline, obesity, obesity action coalition, super morbid obesity, top, weight bias, weight lose surgery

OAC Members Matter – The Part I Want: Advocate

April 22, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette 7 Comments

Read the article online –  The Part I Want: Advocate

ywm-spring1

I’m a centerfold! Well close enough for me! A couple of months ago I had the honor of being asked to write an article for the new OAC Members Matter section of Your Weight Matters Magazine. Anyone who knows me in person knows I am not shy about telling my story, or any story really. However, I was unprepared for the emotional journey writing this article took me. The hardest challenge was editing down a focus, as I have been obese all my life, I have many stories to share. After talking through ideas with Kristy Kuna with OAC, we decided on the issue that really spurred my involvement with the Obesity Action Coalition: Weight Bias in the Workplace. Unfortunately, I have experienced weight bias in the workplace twice in my life, yet each time I have taken what at first was a negative experience and turned it into a positive outcome.

A subscription to Your Weight Matters Magazine is included with an OAC Membership, so I encourage you to join today!

Filed Under: Advocacy, Blog Post, Obesity Tagged With: advocacy, discrimination, featured, obesity, obesity action coalition, top, weight bias, weight bias in the workplace

Looking forward to OAC in August!

April 15, 2013 by Sarah Bramblette Leave a Comment

ywm-spring1

I am honored to be a member of the Obesity Action Coalition and to be a part of their 2013 OAC National Convention Invitational Video.

Where ever you are on your journey to better health, and whatever path you choose the OAC has something to help, inspire, and support you!

Filed Under: Articles, Blog Post Tagged With: advocacy, obesity, obesity action coalition

« Previous Page

Search

Posts By Date

October 2025
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Jul    

Recent Comments

  • Emmie W on Lululemon cannot cover my @ss, and the sky is blue.
  • Lili Jacobson on Too Fat for Fat Acceptance?
  • Jennifer on Five ways to request a seatbelt extender
  • GG on Weight Loss Surgery Journey
  • Rachel Fife on Just Keep Splashing – My FitBloggin’ Ignite Video

Recent Posts

  • Infographic: How do compression garments work?
  • Too Fat for Fat Acceptance?
  • My TEDx Talk: Breaking Bias
  • Kelly Osbourne Fashion Police Double Standard
  • Sharing My Lipedema Story on The Doctors

Archives

PROUD! Obesity Action Coalition Member

Copyright © 2025 | Crave Theme by The Pixelista | Built on the Genesis Framework