Please forgive me for posting again but I have to get something off of my chest.

 

At lunch I looked online at the Walk From Obesity website for the "Baltimore Bariatrics" group and at first I was disappointed and then I just got pretty ticked off.  Obesity obviously has affected ALL of us that belong to this group and over 600 people have opted for gastric bypass surgery as pretty much our last resort in battling this DISEASE and selected Dr. Roe to be our surgeon. 

 

So many of us have expressed from time to time our respect and admiration for Dr. Roe and his staff and for most of our our lives have drastically improved and we have become healthier, happier people.  I know Dr. Roe tells us he is in awe of our courage and that's nice but I thank God every day for his dedication and that of Dawn and the office group.  I've read hundreds of posts on this website over the last 3 years with 98% of the group acknowleding the same.

 

So why am I ticked?  This Walk From Obesity is our chance to get out there and support Dr. Roe and let the Baltimore area (if not the world) know what a wonderful and talented surgeon he is and the benefits of gastric bypass surgery for people who have reached that part of their journey with obesity.  YET only 38 people had registered to walk and at least 10 of those 38 are not even patients of the good doc - my husband, Lori's husband, Noah's children, Dr. Roe, Dawn, Tracy etc - which is wonderful that they are walking and raising money and supporting us all).

 

There are some people (I think the number really isn't that great though) who have prior commitments and obligations that day or serious health issues and cannot walk.  So far 4 of those people have personally supported me and given me donations for the walk and I sincerely appreciate that.

 

I think we all need to take a few minutes of quiet time and sit and reflect about where we all have come from and the difference in our lives since surgery.  Then I think we should look deep in our hearts and ask ourselves why we would not take this awesome opportunity to support Dr. Roe, Dawn and staff and get off of our duffs and go walk.  It's also an opportunity to help educate those in the Baltimore area about surgery and to also encourage other people who may not even need surgery but just to make people aware of obesity, it's complications and alternative treatments.

 

Maybe you aren't aware of this but this walk is getting publicity and coverage from WBAL and Stan Stovall is the special guest emcee.  There will be health and wellness vendors there and if you register to walk there is on-site parking available, entertainment, refreshments, give aways, special prizes, etc.

 

There is going to be a special prize and recognition to the team who has the most walkers show up and also the team who raises the most money.  BALTIMORE BARIATRICS should take BOTH of those awards away with us but we can't do it with 38 people registered.

 

So I beg of all of you to please give this serious thought.  It's a few hours out of a Saturday morning and the $25 registration fee gets you an official "Walk From Obesity" t-shirt and shows Doc and staff we really are grateful.  If you really can't walk, you don't have to support me personally but how about going online and sponsoring Dr. Roe?  I really would love to have as many of us out there as we can possibly get though.  Ask your best friend to register and walk with you or your spouse or life partner or children.  Let's make a difference and be NUMBER ONE!

 

Kathy Reynolds (formerly Wills)