National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

Capital Chapter
P.O. Box A
McLean, VA 22101
703-912-1646

http://www.capitalnaafa.org/                                       Newsletter 4, 2002

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!! UPCOMING NAAFA EVENTS!!!!!!
,

December 31, 2002/January 1, 2003 - NAAFA New Years Extravaganza - Welcome 2003 in with all your NAAFA friends. If you thought Halloween was great - you ain't seen nothin' yet!

Fairfield Inn - Beltsville/Calverton
4050 Powder Mill Rd
CALVERTON/BELTSVILLE, MD
Telephone - 301-572-7100

DIRECTIONS to the Fairfield Inn: Take I-95 to Maryland Exit 29B, (Powder Mill Road), towards CALVERTON. Turn first Right into the Calverton Plaza Shopping Center (There is a Giant Food Store in the shopping center). The Fairfield Inn is on the right - across the parking lot from the Giant.
The Chapter arranges a small block of rooms to be held for NAAFA-event attendees. If you need hotel room reservations, please call the Fairfield Inn and mention Capital NAAFA or talk to Anthony in Group Sales when making your reservation.

HALLOWEEN WEEKEND 2002
A FUN TIME HAD BY ALL!!!

WOW !!!! What a weekend...

The fun started off Friday night with a light hearted dance and then off to the Hospitality suite, which Miki our "Hostess of the Mostess" kept stocked with delicious food and ice cold drinks, to gamble the night away. Frank (aka Dr. Fischer Price), our Blackjack dealer had a table full of people trying their luck. The bingo Master, Tyrone, held about 20 people "hostage" with numbers. The poker table was busy also; this was the night for a lot of lucky people! People had a blast and made new friends in the process! Plus, everyone walked away with a prize !!

Saturday began with a Vendor showcase with several local vendors and a Mary Kay consultant who had her table full with women that want to look their best and keep up with the changing season of colors.

The Chapter sponsored two workshops, which were very interesting: "Food and Sensuality" - (who could resist that title) conducted by Summer. The second workshop held by Lynn McAfee on "Media Activism" which was very informative. Everyone came away with much more media savvy.

The afternoon fashion show was a tremendous success. The models were absolutely gorgeous in the latest fashions. The audience had so many questions about fabrics, colors and styles answered by Crista, Manager of a local Dress Barn. Her professionalism and experience were greatly appreciated.

Big thanks to Melissa who organized the fashion show again this year.

The day culminated with Capital NAAFA's annual masquerade ball. People showed great imagination in their choice of costumes. We had the Adam (the first man), Count Dracula, and the Voodoo Man at one table. There was a WWII aviator, a gladiator and a Rajah at another table. But, admit it… the women were spectacular! It was just wonderful fun seeing the angels, harem dancers, wenches, beauty queens and French maid on the dance floor.

Sunday we all relaxed at a catered brunch before we had to part and go back home. But we all left with the same question; who can I be next year?!

BTW, be sure to check out the pictures for Halloween 2002 at http://www.capitalnaafa.org

Heartfelt THANKS: To the many volunteers who gave their time and energy to make Capital NAAFA's 2002 Halloween Weekend a successful celebration of size acceptance. Our appreciation goes out to Abby (aka Mama Gina) and Setna for preparing the welcome bags and those never-ending ice runs. To Miki for hosting, setting up, restocking and cleaning up the Hospitality suite, the bar and the food tables. Miki ensured that everybody was well fed, well 'watered' and happy. To Melissa for planning, organizing and executing the best-ever Fashion Show. To Robin, who again shared her wonderful personality and skills as an MC at the fashion show. Regina for keeping all the logistics and money issues straight. To Nedra for holding this chapter on the size acceptance path and never losing sight of the goal. To Frank and Tyrone being the Game Masters and making Casino Night fun for all of us. To Andre, our efficient, friendly, flirty and sharp-dressed Bartender.

Thanks to you all!

ACTIVISM ACTIVITIES

KUDOS TO LYNN MCAFEE!!!!

Lynn, in her role as Director of Advocacy for the Council on Weight and Size Discrimination was on television a few weeks ago.

She represented the Council at the Federal Trade Commission's press conference on fraudulent diet advertising, and her speech was covered by CNN, UPN, WB, NBC, CBS, and others, as well as by AP wire service.

Lynn spoke dramatically about the misleading but seductive "before and after" diet ads, as well as the testimony from so-called "successful" dieters. Too bad the advertisers are not required to show a picture of the same person five years after the "after" picture. Statistics show that very few of them would have kept that weight off. Yet the diet companies make it sound so easy.

The FTC said that their study showed that the vast majority of weight-loss ads contain statements that are misleading, and more than half contain blatant untruths. The agency recommended guidelines for advertisers to follow, and warned the public not to be taken in by these "quick fixes."

Unfortunately, the guidelines are voluntary. In this age of deregulation, very few restrictions are placed on companies concerning what they can and cannot say in their ads. Nonetheless, the FTC's action was educational and important, and it was an especially good sign that they included Lynn as a consumer representative.

Lynn is also working with the NIH Task Force on Prevention and Treatment of Obesity, and frequently testifies at FDA hearings when new diet drugs are up for approval. She presents the consumer point of view at government, scientific, and industry meetings. She reminds regulators and researchers of the need to consider the plus-size person's health and well-being.

Anti-obesity education programs often result in increased discrimination against people who are plus-size. We need public policies that make sense both in terms of health and in terms of fair treatment for all.

Please help keep Lynn going to meetings and involved in policy-making. As a volunteer, she donates her time and expertise, but it costs us money for transportation, housing, phones, and materials.

You can make a donation to the Council on Weight and Size Discrimination by credit card through Paypal (Go to their website, www.paypal.com, and send money to the Council's email address, cswd@cswd.org) . Or you can send a check to CSWD, PO Box 305, Mt. Marion, NY 12456.

MEDICAL ACTIVISM

A Personal Journey

Thru some unfortunate circumstances, I have had recent call to practice medical activism. Suffered a foot injury in late September and ensuing complications. It has been a learning experience for both myself and the medical professionals I have been in contact with. When I visited the emergency room, there was no mention of my size or attempts for a weigh in - but was squeezed into small wheelchairs and given probably inadequate durable medical equipment to help with my injury. Found myself having to advocate at the hospital and explaining why I felt they dropped the ball on some issues related to my care. By the time you read this, I hope to be on the road to recovery after surgery on November 29. But I found myself just today explaining to hospital staff why I deserved a surgical gown that fits and a wheelchair that adequately accommodates my more than ample behind. Once explained, people are more than willing to accommodate my requests - they are reasonable and most folks generally wish to help. But we as fat individuals need to articulate our needs. I am now on a new agenda of educating government bureaucrats on how difficult it is to maneuver the halls of a massive federal bldg as a handicapped individual. I can honestly say its been a learning experience! I hope to see you all in 2003 a wiser, healthier individual. I have missed being at NAAFA functions and hope to be able to rock to JC's tunes soon! Take care my friends and happy holidays!!!

NAAFA NATIONAL CONVENTION

This past summer some of our members went to the NAAFA annual convention at the Westin in downtown in Atlanta, It was a wonderful hotel and staying on the 50th floor was quite an experience. With completely undisturbed view we woke with the sun and slept with the moon. The convention was very interesting and educational. We were able to choose from a variety of workshops. The fashion show was WONDERFUL and the vendors were great. We also had a BLAST at the dances and the pool parties. I enjoyed seeing old friends again and making new friends from all the way around the world. We all enjoyed the fellowship with our NAAFA friends. I encourage everyone to travel to LA next year and join the Convention. It is surely worth the trip!!

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance

Capital Chapter of NAAFA

P.O. Box A

McLean, VA 22202

Telephone: 703-912-1646

Email: admin@capitalnaafa.org

http://www.capitalnaafa.org

Click to subscribe to DcNAAFA's Yahoo Group