Hello readers
When I last posted I was thinking that I would be here chatting about some different aspects of my life than previous posts have only alluded to. Now while we all try to keep a modicum of privacy within the social networking sphere, I feel the time has come to disclose to my regular readers more about the person they are reading about. So with some misgivings but with a great deal of optimism (I have always felt well supported by those who choose to visit my blog) I want to discuss some of the other things that make me who I am.
I came late to the quilting and sewing world and I took it up at a time when I needed a distraction from the disappointment and on-going depression I felt from resigning from my job.
In 1999 I went back to school full time after my youngest went into pre-school. I completed a 12 month bridging course that allowed me to apply to study for a degree at university. I wanted to study in the social sciences field. I had to do my degree by distance education as the local uni wasn't running the course. Over the years it was a struggle to study and still care for a family of five kids and a husband as well as work casually for an organisation who supported people with disabilities.
But I managed it, as my family were great, especially the bloke who it must be said went beyond the call of duty to support me.
Anyway through out the years of study I also carried some fairly big life limiting health issues.
In 1994 I made the now regretful decision to undergo weight loss surgery (WLS) and had my stomach stapled. I thought it would end my days of dealing with a larger than optimum body and allow me to participate in life more.
You see I was/am according to the medical professionals 'obese', 'super obese', or even worse bariatric. I am not keen on any of these descriptors and in fact prefer to be just a fatty. Mind you this is when talking about myself I don't really think anyone will have a need to address me as this is Jan the fatty!
Anyway, what is my point here? Over the past 12-18 months I have been reading a lot about fat acceptance (FA) in the blogosphere. It has made interesting reading to me, a person who has for the most part of her life lived with the 'shame' of being a fatty.
What is the FA about you might ask? In simple terms it is a movement that directs its efforts at changing societal attitudes toward people who are fat. In their work they are also attempting to alter internal and medical attitudes, and reduce the hatred and discrimination faced by many big people.
Another movement, Health at Every Size (HAES) promotes that health is independent, not dependant on body weight. Individuals can pursue mental and physical health regardless of their physical appearance or size.
Okay that's the end of my little essay. Plenty more time for further posts on the subject and I certainly don't want to come across as the know all of either the FA or the HAES movement. I am still finding my away around the movement, the actions and the people, and I have made some great new cyber friends.
I intend to blog more about this subject, amongst the quilting and sewing posts. These things are important to me right now.
What do you think, if anything, about the whole idea of it? I have probably been a bit too brief about this very important discussion but I must be honest and let you know that mentally I remain tired, strained and non to clear in my thinking.So this is all I could manage.
Hope I have not put anyone off with my meandering ways today.
Take care
