For this month's Member Corner, we spoke with OAC member Michelle Vicari from Temecula, Calif. You may know Michelle better as Eggface, the voice behind her well-known blog, The World According to Eggface, where she writes about her weight-loss journey. Michelle is a great supporter of the OAC and has been a member of the OAC for two years now.Q: How did you first get involved with the OAC?
I stumbled on the Obesity Action Coalition's web site and was thrilled at the amount of information and resources that were provided. I spent about two hours reading that day and signed-up for a membership before I logged off.
Q: You are a great supporter of the OAC and are continuously urging your followers on your blog to join the OAC. Why do you encourage your followers to become members of the OAC?
If people are reading my blog, chances are they themselves or someone they love, is affected by obesity. I encourage my readers to become members because the Obesity Action Coalition is our/their voice - through education, nationwide advocacy, providing support group information, helping people who have been denied treatment and creating public awareness of weight bias and stigma and its harmful consequences. The OAC are the good guys, fighting the good fight for us and those we love.
Q: How do you suggest individuals get involved with the OAC? Where is the best place to start?
The easiest way is to become a member. There is an African proverb, "Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable." The greater our membership, the stronger our voice.
Q: What impact has the OAC made in your life and the lives of others?
I was honored to be asked to accompany the OAC on one of last year's Day on the Hill events where we met with legislators and held a briefing about access to obesity treatments and prevention for the 34 percent of Americans that are currently affected by obesity. It was extra meaningful to me that I was helping to spread the message to our government on my five year anniversary of having weight-loss surgery. Involvement in the Obesity Action Coalition helps me pay it forward.
Q: In one word, describe the OAC. Powerful!
The Obesity Action Coalition is now 35,000 members strong. Are you a member? Please consider joining. Click here for all the 411.