 International Size Acceptance Day By ISAA Director Allen Steadham
International Size Acceptance Day (ISA Day) was started by ISAA in 1998. The original idea behind ISA Day was to give a full international holiday to the concept and ideals of size acceptance itself. The first ISA Day was celebrated and officially proclaimed by the Mayor Bill Campbell of Atlanta, Georgia for the City of Atlanta on April 24, 1998. The celebration included a plus-size fashion show, dinner and dance. The Atlanta event was co-coordinated by AtlantaBBWs. I was fortunate enough to attend the event and read the Mayor's proclamation. The Second Annual ISA Day was also held in Atlanta. And again, Mayor Campbell proclaimed that last Saturday in April 1999 to be "International Size Acceptance Day" in the City of Atlanta. ISAA Good Will Ambassador Paul Delacroix was in attendance in my place that year. Last year, the event was moved to Chicago, Illinois and again was a successful event, supported by ISAA Chicago and Chicago NAAFA. ISAA Activism Vice-President Russell Williams represented the leadership of ISAA at "ISA Day Y2K." This year, ISAA is going to do something different. We are going to pause from the celebrations and focus on what the core of size acceptance is: accepting your size and your self. The majority of fat people (or people who are perceived as fat by others) do not accept their size or themselves. The message that is hammered into their self-perception is "you're not good enough until you lose weight." To acheive this, a huge number of women (and men) begin some form of weight loss diet which will ultimately fail. This is because the body perceives dieting the same as a famine and will take steps to protect itself (such as lowering metabolism and increasing fat production). Over time, keeping weight off becomes harder and harder and the dieter becomes fatter each time the weight comes back with some extra weight. Still others take weight loss drugs like Meridia, which, according to the Knoll Pharmaceuticals website, "may cause side effects. The most common side effects include headache, dry mouth, constipation, and insomnia (difficulty falling asleep). Other side effects that may occur include: increased sweating, an increase in blood pressure, and an increase in heart rate." The Knoll Pharmaceuticals website also states (in bold): "MERIDIA SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASES BLOOD PRESSURE IN SOME PATIENTS. REGULAR MONITORING OF BLOOD PRESSURE IS REQUIRED WHEN TAKING MERIDIA." And like all weight loss drugs, once you stop taking it, the weight comes back...usually with more weight. Then there's Weight Loss Surgery (WLS). About 45,000 people are expected to have some form of weight loss surgery in 2001, 50% more than last year. People have already died from WLS complications this year and unfortunately, they're not the last. Still more will have their lives dramatically impacted by the side-effects and complications of this procedure. Virtually all will develop eating-disordered behaviors, as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) refers to gastric bypass procedures as "induced bulimia." It is ISAA's belief that the public has not been properly informed about the dangers that WLS poses and why it should be avoided at all costs. The Board of Directors of ISAA has resolved to take a public stand against WLS. ISAA will provide information on alternatives to WLS and ISAA would like to offer a memorial to those who lost their lives (and/or their quality of life) and their loved ones. So, ISAA proclaims Saturday April 28, 2001 as International Size Acceptance Day 2001 and our slogan this year is "Remember Those Who Lost Everything." ISAA will continue our efforts to inform the public about the dangers and failures of WLS. As you saw this issue, SueW is on the forefront of this subject and she will be providing facts and insight on a regular basis in WOM.
We have also set up an informative section of the ISAA website in relation to the ISA Day 2001 efforts at: This section also includes the memorial for WLS victims and their families. ISAA's efforts to "Stop WLS" will be ongoing over the next year. By the time ISA Day 2002 comes around, we sincerely hope to see a drop in the number of WLS procedures being performed. ISAA will give itself a "report card" based on this and if the results are not satisfactory, we will continue for another year and another...as long as it takes to save the lives and the quality of life for those considering WLS.
We need your help in order to succeed. If you hear someone talking about getting WLS, try to talk them out of it. If they have internet, refer them to us, we'll talk to them and try to help them make an informed decision. Let them know about the ISAA Position on Weight Loss Surgery at this URL: Have them e-mail me at: Director@size-acceptance.org If the person considering WLS does not have the internet, print out some of our information (even this page) and give it to them. Let them know there are many alternatives to WLS. The most important thing to convey is that WLS is not easily reversible, it is expensive, not all insurance covers it and it can dramatically decrease health and quality of life. It even kills some people. Join us. Become a "No WLS Crusader" today! You will help save lives. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely, |
