Monday, June 2, 2008

Pacino, Brando, Hebranko ….

Speak Softly Love ….. da, da, la, la la. Now what can Brando, Pacino and I all have in common? Let’s see, did we all win the Academy Award? I do not think so, besides if I had won I would accept it. Actually I think Brando did accept it but not himself he sent the Native American Woman to accept it, I don’t remember the details. Anyway, back to my point. What do the three of us have in common? (Final Jepordy theme playing in the background), okay, the answer is “What is we are all Godfather’s”.

Yes, yesterday I was honored (after 26 years) of being asked to be the Godfather of a beautiful little baby girl. This is actually my third time I was honored with such a blessing. My first time was when I was 16 years old to a precious little girl, Cathy P, and then 13 years after that to a handsome baby boy, Joseph B, and now 26 years later at the age of 55 years old to this adorable Melanie H.

It is amazing how as we get older the difference in the meaning in general of being a Godfather. Unfortunately, at 16 years old I did not realize what a great honor it was. Although legally a Godparent today has no kind of responsibility, it is really more a spiritual relationship. I believe the first experience a child has with God and everything else comes from their parents. Yet as a Godparent, we should go that little extra step in helping the parent along in molding a child’s relationship and introduction to God. Yet I also feel as a Godparent and as an adult in any child’s life setting a good example is so very important. An example of loving thyself and each other, living ones life to it’s fullest and not being a quitter, and that all of God’s creatures are beautiful and to look for the good in life. These are not such bad things to try to pass on to a Godchild or any child.

I only wish I understood this with my first Godchild, I have not seen her for many years and was not a good Godfather. I did better with my second, I see him often, and just had the pleasure of having dinner with him and his finance this past week. Now my new little Godchild, well lets be real, I pray I am around long enough to be an influence in her little sweet life. Yet in case I am not and I am lucky enough to have a ticket to get into heaven, she will have one special guardian angel watching over her.

Let us talk about yesterday. It might be normal for people to be a little nervous about being in situation like being a Godfather. People who know me being in front of people, maybe talking, etc does not make me nervous. It just does not. What give me the butterflies, the anxiety and I think may of people who share my history is the logistics.

Is there a lot of walking, standing, steps, and chairs with arms and are they strong enough. Will the seats be so low we will not be able to get up easily or at all? Then in my case, I travel with a wheel chair that is wider than the average chair (because my butt is wider than the average butt is). Therefore, the wheelchair does not fit on most of the handicap ramp; it is too wide, does not fit through most doors. Then I was worried about once at the church would it get down the aisles, will I have to go on the alter, if so how? Well almost every concern I had, came through.

The ramp was to narrow, so my poor wife had to fold the chair and I had to get my cane and bent over walk up the ramp and through the narrow doors. We set the chair up and of course, it was in the wrong place. Not to mention I needed to use the men’s room which might have been handicap accessible except the hallway we had to go down was so narrow …..no way, not for my chair so I had to walk it and go into the bathroom stand long enough to handle what need to be done. As the ceremony went on I had to climb up the stairs of the alter and stand there while we christened that bundle of joy. It was only through the power of prayer and the help of my son and wife that I made it through the physicalness. Yes, I have to give myself credit too.

It is just ashamed that in the twenty first century that a person of size has to worry about going out in public. It is hard enough to be starred at, laughed at, and made fun at but if we are strong enough to get passed all that, we have to be concerned about the door, chair etc. \

Just a little more effort on part of businesses and public places to make it more accessible for us as, well it might help us with our self esteem when we want to be players if we can get out there and play.

Things like this can be done; we need help to get it done. We need to help ourselves, we too might like to go to a movie, school, work but we need not to cry and complain. We need to be proactive. Get our friends and families involved, talk to local business people to put a strong chair in their movie house, library, restaurant. Organize write in programs to politicians. Let us pass laws for the obese. We are people too! We count! We want to live! We want to play!

As one of the Godfather’s said “let’s make them an offer they can’t refuse” yes the offer is ...

We want to be!!!!


After all was said and done, I made it through yesterday, I had a great time, did all that was needed of me, and was proud as a peacock.

Sometimes you have to take your fears, anxieties put them in a bag take them with you and do what you have to do anyway. At the end, you look back and see you made it and had a good time at the same time.


Have a great day!!

Love

Mike


PS

Afterwards there was a great house party, with wonderful friends and beautiful family. It is such a blessing to be part of and included. I missed so many things and now I do not want to miss anything. Unfortunately, there was one thing that ripped my heart out. My little grandson got hurt (oh he is such a boy) his mom was standing right next to him, just a second, and it happened. A chunk of my heart went out for my baby but then I felt so badly for my sweet daughter in law. She was so upset because she tried to stop it but just couldn’t. He is doing okay today, Alleluia!

61 comments:

Anonymous said...

First off with all the hardships of yesterday you made it and that is something to be so proud of...you stood forth and overcame every obstacle that was placed in front of you...when was the last time you did that.....in reading this blog it gave me alot of hope that no matter what stands in my way i can make it and i can overcome each battle and stair and chair i cant fit in and everything else......thank you for sharing your day it gave me alot of hope today.... hugggssssssssssssssss and love and hugggsssssssssssss for the littone one and hope that he is ok oh and ps mike thanks for you being you becasue after all these years i still need a YOU in my life
hugggs
Carol

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
I need to tell you I happen to find your blog today by chance. I believe everything has a reason. I am grossly overweight and I relate to everything you had to say today.
I have to also let you know my sister is getting married in two weeks and she knows I was not going for all the reasons you said.
After reading your blog today I called her and told I will be there. She cried and asked me what made me change my mind and I told her Michael Hebranko. She was puzzled, so I sent her to your blog.
Anyway, I am going and thank you!
I will be back to this blog and let you know how it went but I am going to have a great time.
Thank You
Frances Esposito

senorziltox said...

actually I've always maintained that you look more like a slimmer Brian Dennehy, and very much like my old college friend Alex Recosso, Alex was a handsome ladies man to the point where they would wait for him in his dorm room, and that ultimately he became a male model in milan, well I am now the proud uncle to a baby pigeon on my little balcony overlooking the bay, Yes!! the pigeons decided to setup a nest in a flower pot I had out on my balcony, and after some "deliberations" soon there was pigeons and baby pigeon egg creature, and now that egg has hatched! and mother pigeon and child seem to be doing just fine, as for me I got out of st johns hospital last thursday after spending a week of antibotics being pumped into me, I convinced my family that it would be crazy for me to give up my apt to go back to brookhaven and be at their mercy again, that I could heal better back at my own apt and get back into shape there, so I am going to get a vns person come in to help me out at least once a day, as far as my meals, my new plan is to eat in the jasa cafeteria everyday, and on weekends go to brookhaven and eat their food on sat and sunday, today i did 10 minutes on the treadmill which was all i could handle with my cellutis right now, but I intend get to the treadmill at least every other day. and that's my pallate for now.

Anonymous said...

Frances.....
I just had to tell you your comment brought a smile to my face hearing what you wrote and seeing that you are taking that step and going to the wedding....you should be so proud of you and just remember there is no obstacle too big to overcome...with patience and determination you can make it through them all.... please let us know how the wedding was...and remember oen thing have fun that day enjoy you
Carol

Anonymous said...

Carol
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I will lwt you know how things go, and I expect to have a great time.
Regards
Frances

Anonymous said...

Mike
You continue to be an inspiration and I hope to be able to read your blog for many years. Thank you but can you share possibly more your daily life, thoughts and feelings.
Thanks
Lydia

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
How often do you post? Are you still mad at Richard Simmons? Why has your wife stayed with you? I have a million Questions can I call you? I don't get why you are alive? You are lucky, and do you deserve it?

Please respond
Sharon L.

Anonymous said...

i have to be honest with you, although i think large people should be able to fit into life it was in the non fitting that i believe spurred my recovery on! I did not eat less when they had started to put in experimental larger seats in the theatres some years ago. I ate more in comfort! Dont get me wrong i believe morbedily obese people are hanicapped at least i was. however if the truth be known i needed to strive to be more normal and fit in. i am happy today that fitting in is not a question that is one of the biggest joys of losing weight!!

Anonymous said...

Dear sharon,
who the heck would not stay with michael. he is the most loving human being i have ever known whether he is 198 or 798 lbs, i hope michael does not call you cause with friends who ask questions like the ones in your post,i would just ignore you!

Anonymous said...

I had to reply here because the last two blogs bothered me...first off everyone has a right to live whether you are obese or not or ugly or oretty who are we to judge any of that,,,dont we get judged all our lives for things.....
And as far as fitting in again judging....the world should adapt to all types...is why there are handicap ramps and bathrooms and things like that.....who gives anyone the right to judge or question as you bothe have done......it really bothers me and no wonder i hide at times from the outside world because it is people like you that make me want to give up but being the person i am that will never happen nor will i allow my friends to give up....
shakes my head its people like you i have pity for

Anonymous said...

to the person who thinks im judging wrong i was close to 600 most my life, you really did not get the point i was making , i say give all the handicapped ramps and seating you want it will not change what we eat. try to listen instead of being bitter.

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear sweet friend Carol
Thank you as always. You always seem to have the right thing to say to otherrs. That is nice! Easy for you because you are a nice person. I am cutting this response short because I want to get to the others, I know you will understand.
Love you keep in touch
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Dear Ms. Frances Esposito
I love that last name. One of my favorite families from my childhood were name Esposito, we had lots and lots of food memories with them. Bless you Aunt Cissy, Uncle Whitey while you guys are up in heaven and howdy to Paul and Barbara and thier families wherever they are.
Now for you Frances ....HORRAY!!! (hope i spelled it right). I am thrilled about your decision. You go girl and have a great time. You know what I do when I go into a room of people? I know the ignorant ones might stare so I stand there for a minute let them look and get it over with. I use to go to the beach at 700 pounds the first thing I did was stand at the waterfront and take of my shirt (I was not going to swim with a tee-shirt on, it was too uncomfortable). I would take off the shirt stand there for a minute and let them look.
Then I would go have a great time and play with my wife and/or son or whoever I was with.
The thing is we deserve to live, we are not rapist, killers or even worse child molesters. We are human beings who happen to have an eating disorder .... okay.
So Frances go to the wedding, dance if you can if not dance from your seat participate as much as you can and have a great time. It will be the best gift you can give yourself and the Bride. If you can eat a little less than you did at the last wedding or party you attended.
Let us know how much fun it was
Love ya
MIke

Mike Hebranko said...

Hey Birdman
How you doing? How are the birds and even more important how is my friend. Eating better? Exercising? Keeping busy, volunteering? You can do it buddy, I have seen that determination. You have been an inspiration to many of us.
Keep us informed to the well being of the birds and more important to my friend
Love you pal
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Lydia my dear
Thank you for such nice words and I will try to share more often. Sometimes I just don't feel there would be anything interesting to say that day but I will try.

You take care of yourself Lydia and keep in touch
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

Oh Sharon
How do I respond, I can thing of a thousand ways but let me try this one.
Okay, I post about every two weeks, sometimes more sometimes less.
Next, No I am not still mad at, nor was I mad at Richard Simmons. Anyone who knows Mike Hebranko now knows it takes a lot to get me mad and I do not stay mad, I get over it quickly. I have never been mad at Richard, I spoke to him the other day, he is, was and has been my friend through all my perils. If you are referring to that TV thing where he looks like he attacks my wife and then they show me angry, well I learned from that how Politicians and Celebrities feel. The power of editing and clipping and pasting. Sometimes they can make things seem what they are not!
Now, as for my wife staying with me, you will have to ask her that question. It must be the beauty mark on my nose. Seriously she needs to answer that question all I know is today is 32 years we are married June 6th. We have had our rough times but man have we had our great times and from my point of view the neutural times are the best. When we are sitting around just the two of us and we will hold each others hand, or at night before we go to sleep and one of us will say to the other "I love you Boot", and there will be a response no I love you more!
Okay Sharon that is more answer than you require right now.
As for why am I alive, well that Question Sharon I suggest you direct to God. He is the best person to answer that one, certainly not me. As to whether I deserve to be, well dear Sharon everyone who God gives life too deserves to be alive until he take that life away. Even people who feel they have the right to ask ridiculous questions of other people.
Sharon my dear you have a great day, you are a very special person
be well
Love
Mike

Mike Hebranko said...

It is a little difficult to respond to the bloggers who sign in anonymous (which is fine) but then dont put a name even an alias at the end. We have three like that so let me answer in general.
First I want to thank that person (who I think knew me) for sticking up for me. I appreciate but don't get to aggrevated because I don't. Putting myself out there I expect people to have different opinions and in life in general not everyone is going to like me (you) and that is not only okay it is normal. "You can not be everything to everybody otherwise you are no one to nobody especially to yourself."
But thanks anyway.
I also want to encourage dialect and sharing (safe sharing) among each other. It is nice to see interaction among each other.
All I ask is to try to remember each human being has the right to their opinion, even though we may not agree. If we have a different one just state it also don't be negative with each other this we can get out in the public among ourselves let's try to be respectful to each othet.
We certainly disagree with flare just let us not burn the fellow human being
love you guys and thanks for sharing
Mike

Anonymous said...

Dear anonymous....

I apologize to you if i read your blog out of context.....about the judging....i guess after reading the blog above yours i was a little peeved.....so please accept my apologies and congratulations on losing your weight....i guess you can say i can get a bit defensive but one thing i am not is bitter....so again i do apologize......and i thought of making this one annonymous again but i decided to sign my name.....because i figure why hide.....well hugggssssssssssssss to all

Carol

Anonymous said...

Mike, my granddaughter is sitting in the living room at this moment watching "Sweatin' To The Oldies" for the 1000th time. She's 17, and she started watching as a toddler. She was born with disabilities due to cytomegalovirus, and watching the Richard Simmons tapes (incuding the tape you were on) helped her to stand and finally walk at age 4.

My wife is currently going through a life and death battle with weight after more than 4 decades. She went up to 350 pounds and had all the usual complications, and finally after being admitted to the hospital for an unrelated issue is down to 223. She has no trouble breathing now, is getting back into shape, and is less depressed.

I have leftover feelings of resentment for what my wife put herself through and what her compulsion with food has cost both of us. It seems like she either wanted me to "put up with it" or ignore it, and now I'm left with some of the consequences that I never asked for. Do you have any personal observations that might be helpful in dealing with this?

Thanks...

"Thin Man"

Anonymous said...

once again you floor me with your responce to sharon. i strive to be as kind as you and in reading what you wrote i realize you are right.have a great day....love tardy tax

Anonymous said...

Hi Mike
You are one of the most wonderful, inspirational guys in the world today.
Thank you

Bob

Anonymous said...

Dear Mike
You could be my Godfather anytime and I am not even Christian. You just seem like a very spiritual person and that you have a beautiful heart.
Thank you for being so kind and don't let people like Sharon bother you.
All my love
Goldie

Yanna said...

I'd like to comment to Frances Esposito... I am sooooooo very happy that you are going to your sisters wedding... And I know you will not regret your decsion one bit! I can't help but feel you were guided to Mike's blog to find your answer. Mike sure does have a very REAL way of putting out the life's challenges and expressing the attempts to battle those challenges that is inspiring to most people who are lucky enough to come across his story. You were touched by and earth angel Frances, and now you'll be able to let this experience help carry you through the next challenge and the next... keep blogging please! It helps and is another means of not only gaining information but getting support. Good luck to you and God Bless you for being able to close your eyes to the smaller things and open your heart to much greater things! You go girl! Keep us all posted! Awe Heck! I want pictures! haha! Hugs and smooches out to ya girl!
In peace, Love and Light... Diana

Yanna said...

Dear Sharol L.

I ask you the following sincerely and not with malice... How often do you ask such ridiculous questions? Are YOU mad at someone? Do you normally butt into people's personal married life? Have you heard of true love? Mike's wife defines the meaning of true love. Do you get life at all? Never mind the fact that you actually question the life of one person... The question is do you have the right to? Please don't answer my questions, just ask and answer them to yourself because the answers are none of my business or anyone elses.

In my eyes Mike is not lucky, he is Blessed by a true strong spirit which he chose to nurture and let grow so that now it outshines the negativities and darkness that he is very much aware he will encounter all his life (thin or not)... we all will for one reason or another... even YOU Sharon... and that is because if the negative didn't show up every now and then we would never value the gift of positiveness.

I wish for you Sharon more positiveness in your life and for your heart to become more tender... I will start by saying that I hope whatever it is that has bit your bonnet comes back to you and not only apologizes to you but wraps their arms around you with more love than you can stand! And if that doesn't or can't happen, then please wrap your own arms around yourself and tell yourself that you deserve to be free of negativities that bind you and love yourself enough to share the good in you with you and the world! That's a good way to attract more love then you can stand too! Maybe your heart will soften then and you'll see that everyone alive deserves to be alive and enjoy life to the fullest no matter what transpires throughout it... Please enjoy life Sharon, it goes by so quickly, we only get this chance to get this life right.

In peace, love and light... Diana

Yanna said...

Dear “Thin Man”...

Your blog entry was something that struck me very personally and brought tears to my eyes, sadness to my heart and a lump in my throat for so many reasons too long to list. I would like to offer some very friendly heartfelt words that come from a woman who has gone up high and down low the scale so many times it's a wonder they haven't named a ride after me at 6 Flags yet! The bonus ride that comes along with that is the emotional high ups and low downs too. UGH! Thank heavens after all these years I got a better grip on it all... I sure wish it didn't take me this long to get that grip, but I am just grateful for finally getting a handle on things no matter how late in life it came... And I can only pray and do my best in gripping on strong enough not to slip for each fall is worse then the one before.

My top weight was 485 lbs. and I am now ¾ of the way passed breaking out of the 300’s now for the umpteenth time in my life, and can only pray it’s the last time in my life that I have to get out of the 300’s then out of the 200’s for good!

I don't know what it is exactly that you're labeling as the "consequences" you never asked for, but I'm sure your wife didn't ever foresee herself becoming a consequence to you or anyone she loves and holds dear… No one knows what tomorrow will bring. We can try to plan out lives out very carefully but anything at any moment can change alter those plans in a heartbeat and we can't do anything other than deal with it as it happens in the most positive way possible. When a bad twist happens, to add negativeness to it (such as resentment) only makes it worse, and we all know that 2 wrongs don't ever create a right). Life is so tricky sometimes and with some twists and turns that can make a person want to scream out and say, "HEY NOW I didn't ask for this! Make it STOP!"… I’d like to share with you something an old friend of mine from Australia told me once :::I love Australians! I think so many of them are a step ahead of the times... G'day to any Aussie's out there! Give me a shout!::: He told me, “Toss all your fears, worries and concerns to the wind and let them blow away. Have faith that God will provide all the strength you need to take on the special task He had enough faith in you to take on. When you get lost, go back to the beginning and remember all the reasons about that person that led you to decide to take on this journey to begin with and it will help you find your way back to them with renewed feelings and strength”… So I pass that on to you “Thin Man” and hope it helps somehow. It’s not easy to get rid of resentments, but it’s not impossible either because pain is inevitable but suffering is optional… resentment is suffering needlessly and therefore is optional… You DO have a choice. When you feel resentful please ask yourself, “Must I really get upset about this? Do I have to? Getting upset or resenting the situation will it change the situation? In doing that, what good is it doing for me? Do I want to feel miserable even if I am right that they shouldn’t behave like that?" Then after asking yourself those things remind yourself that every time you get resentful, it’s robbing you of your personal strength and energy and robbing your ability to react in a better and healthier way.

I know my up and down scale numbers and health issues affected many of my loved ones very much... and Lord only knows I did not hurt them purposefully... but it hurt them because they love me and care... They want to see me well... I want me well too! I would be devastated and want to crawl back in a dark hole forever if I knew any one of them resented me for something I fight with everything that I am each and every day to make better than the day before... This year I've done well so far and pray I continue on this road because I've made great strides and feel better and better all the time... I want to keep this feeling... but will I? I don't know because I don't have a crystal ball that actually works in telling the future… I can only do the best I can… You are probably doing the best you can too with your situation and “Thin Man” that's all anyone can ask of you is to do your very best… No one can expect you to ignore such a serious thing, but you can find ways to cope that leave you feeling good and will trickle that good feeling onto your wife too. Resentment does not leave anyone feeling good and is destructive. I hope you seek out ways to let go of the resentment you hold of in acquiring unforeseen “consequences” in your life... I wish I knew what you're labeling as consequences, then maybe that could be tackled individually and directly rather then generally speaking. Good luck and God Bless you and yours!

In peace, love & light… Diana

Yanna said...

DrZiltox...

Woweee! Baby pigeons on the balcony!! Well how cool is that?!!! I got a little pregnant birdie up in my attic this spring who made a nest and laid her eggs :::some say I got bats in my belfry… hmmmn, I wonder what they meant by that--haha!:::: and I didn’t have the heart to disturb them, so I let them be until her little babies hatched and were old enough to go out on their own, it was really something to watch! Then the hole was sealed up. Oh but that wasn’t the end of it… little fuzzy squirrel watched the birdies as they came and went and decided to work at the METAL patch over the hole until it busted it loose at 5:30 AM and made it’s home in my attic now! We’re working on evicting Fuzzy… I need to start charging rent! Ha-ha!

Have you tried lightly rubbing your legs in an upward motion only (never downward) a few times a day for that cellulites and strengthening your legs and getting some circulation going by sitting in a chair using a large rubber ball on the days you’re not on the treadmill? You can take the ball and squeeze it with your ankles, then up to your calves, crunch it with your knees and thighs as best you can. If you haven’t tried it yet you might want to give it a whirl cause it feels great after a few days!

Good luck to you and be well!

In peace, love and light… Diana

Yanna said...

Now as for you “Il Padrino” (Dear Sweet Mike) ::::in my world it was always “Parla piu piano e vieni piu vicino a me”… da, da, la, la, la… HaHaHaHa!::::

I don’t need to remind you of all the odds you’ve beaten and obstacles you’ve overcome in this life… and THEN SOME! You lived it, so you know better than me! But from what I do know of you, I feel I can safely say that you’ll be around long enough to leave a great impact on little Blessed and very fortunate Melanie’s life… she couldn’t have a better Godfather! What a wonderful future this child has to look forward to, especially being spiritually guided by a man who has a walk with God that is so tremendously overflowed with love and gratitude! It’s that love and gratitude Mike that will keep you on this earth for a very long time… besides, your an earth angel and we need you here right now and for quite a long time, don’t be looking to sign up for that guardian angel job so fast, you have all of eternity for that ha-ha!

I agree and love what you said, “Sometimes you have to take your fears, anxieties put them in a bag take them with you and do what you have to do anyway. At the end, you look back and see you made it and had a good time at the same time.” Except I’d change “put them in a bag take them with you” to put them in a bag and throw them in the river because I feel that taking them with you opens you up to the risk of peeking in the bag and raising the fears and anxieties all over again. Your “peacock” feeling had to have been the most wonderful feeling and you can experience that feeling more often if the bag gets thrown away :)

You’re so on target about it being a shame that a person of size has to worry about going out in public and “fitting in”. It would be so refreshing to see recognition of the important realization that people of size are just that… PEOPLE! We have enough of a struggle trying to make each day better then yesterday without having to struggle to be considered an active part of the human race as well! We’re not dangerous vicious animals to be caged and locked up, yet so many of us get treated as such. Those with badly informed views and opinions that creating the environment with some larger accommodations is enabling a person to stay large and no incentive to them to get smaller are just outlooks that are made with an “appearance or show” of being a fully thought out and educated statement… they are not thinking about the wellbeing of larger human beings who deserve and are entitled to live life to the fullest “in the Here and Now” while they are large. No one has the right to place restrictions on another human being as to when and how they should enjoy or participate in life! Some look at people of size as out of control things and not humans made of flesh, blood and bones who feel. WE ARE ALL CONNECTED, whether people want to accept or realize this truth or not, and that connection should bring us all to help each other, love each other and be good to one another… not punish a person for something they haven’t figured out how to resolve yet. They may never figure it out and might have to live their entire lives as a person of size. So does that mean they are to go without enjoying life’s pleasures their ENTIRE LIFE all because they are of size? Are they to stay cooped up in a home that eventually transforms into a prison when left in it too long? I THINK NOT! What a sorry world this is if this remains to be true much longer! We don’t just “Want to BE” but we also have the "RIGHT to BE!" We have a birthright to live as human beings; It’s a crying shame that any offers of any kind need to be made in order to live out our birthrights… I think a demand for recognition of all you’ve said can be accomplished if everyone gets together and speaks as one very firm united voice. Action would surely follow! Once again… awesome blog and topic Mike!

In Peace, Love and Light… Diana

Anonymous said...

Mike instead of complaining of fitting just do something to change it.

Simple Solution

Yanna said...

YES… it’s me AGAIN! Before one offers so called "simple solutions" I wish they'd get all their facts first... some people just don't realize that people of size have been doing something about it most their lives... for some it's easier then others, it all depends on what they have to work with, what they are dealing with, what's causing it to happen, what will work for them, etc. Obesity has multiple causes and there are different types of obesity. Some people gain weight very easily and others gain over long periods of time for numerous reasons, same thing when it comes to losing weight.

Obesity has now been recognized as a chronic disease of epidemic proportions in both developed and developing countries, affecting children as well as adults, a disease afflicting millions and causing a great deal of pain and suffering. Too many people continue to believe and view obesity to be a lack of willpower by the individual or willful misbehavior such as eating too much and exercising too little, etc., even with AMAZING proof showing contrary, and to which has also resulted in people of size frequently becoming objects of prejudice and discrimination.

Obesity is now one of the most widespread public health problems in this country, a multifaceted, multifactorial disease of appetite regulation and energy metabolism involving genetics, physiology, biochemistry, and the neurosciences, as well as environmental, psychological, and cultural issues. The efforts required by a person for its management is not as “simple” as some believe it to be, and the extent of discrimination suffered by such beliefs is shameful to find in this day and age with SO MUCH information available out there to become more informed and educated on obesity. A person of size has the right to express their discomfort in being unable to take part in public activities due to not being able to fit in certain things. It’s a valid concern! THAT is SIMPLE to understand. Have you read the other blogs to see how much Mike HAS DONE ABOUT IT already? He is entitled to voice his needs in order to be able to function as the normal human being he is. The body size may not be “standard”, however the person inside is very typical and deserves to enjoy the simple things in life like any standard size person does. What is there NOT to understand about all this?

For each person that is still stuck in the stereotypical beliefs of the obese population and won’t budge to seek more information about it, then I dare to challenge you to get up off your skinny butts and become updated and educated on obesity before uttering another word about it or offering a solution of any sort. After you’ve done that then please come back and offer an educated, well thought out solution. Each and everyone of you who continue to believe that all obese people are this way due to lack of willpower, weakness, etc., you’ve all become too comfortable with what you’ve heard, were told, raised to believe, etc. The “simple solutions” offered to the obese population by people like you are for YOUR benefit alone because it’s EASIER for YOU to continue thinking along those lines then make the effort to become updated and more informed on it. If it was as “simple” as some claim, well then don’t you think that obesity would NOT be so common now to the point that it has even replaced more traditional health concerns such as under-nutrition and infectious disease, and is has become one of the most significant contributors to ill health? But perhaps you didn’t know all this. Well in that case, then it’s time you find out! Obesity itself has become a life-long disease, not a cosmetic issue, nor a moral judgment.

In peace, love and light… Diana

Yanna said...

Dear Carol…

Never lose that hope honey… and of course you can overcome anything that tries to stand in your way… Mike’s stories sure do bring a tremendous amount of hope and encouragement… I love them too! You too have what it takes to get through and overcome… never stop believing in yourself! I sure do know for one that these things are all easier said then done, but I also know it’s not impossible.

Come on sing it with me… even if you don’t want to, do it just because it’s corny and fun to do and may give you a smile for no reason at all! I love spontaneous acts of smiles and laughter!

“It's possible for a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage. It's possible for a plain country bumpkin and a prince to join in marriage. And four white mice are easily turned to horses. Such fal de rah and fiddle dee dee of courses. Quite possible! It's possible! For the world is full of zanies and fools who don't believe in sensible rules and won't believe what sensible people say. And because these daft and dewey eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes… Impossible things are happening every day… It's possible... It's possible... It's possible... It's possible... It's possible... It's possible... It's possible!”

HAHA! Come on now THAT was fun! I think I get like a little kid because I find it easier to overcome many things when I think through the eyes of a child. Things seem so much less complicated and easier to resolve that way.

Love ya girl! Always smile and know I think of you often!

In peace, love and light… Diana

Anonymous said...

Yanna you so have issues but i love ya girl...but after 17 years of knowing you you always make me smile.....\

Now to the person who offered the advice of just do it and fit it omg how many times have we heard that along with you have such a pretty face but.......if life was that easy to fit in do you think there would be any problems....if there just that magic red pill oh wait arent we all waiting for that......i would like to offer you some advice and read up on the disease of obestiy and maybe get a better udnerstanding of what it is and talk to people and keep your mind open and listen to the words.....becasue if you think we like have an illness well then you can think again but each day we get up and fight to fit into this world.....if the answer was so simple we would all be doing it....i really wish you the greatest day and i hope that you go each day without someone judging you for your actions...smile and be well

Carol

Mike Hebranko said...

Hi all
Wow! What started out to be what I thought was one of my most simple postings turned out to be the most interesting. Okay!
It certainly has stirred up some emotions, maybe a little anger, definately a demonstration of lack of knowledge and a lot of "in the closet" fustrated novel writers.
Personally I think discussion is good, it is healthy, as long as it is not used as a opportunity for us to get involved in everything and then forget about ourselves.
We must always remember what the main objective is, and that is to take care of Number One ....ourselves. This has been a major downfall for me in the past. I meant well and love people but I gave so much of myself, that there was nothing left for myself and there was no one to blame.
It is about boundries and setting quality time for you and your program and health.
To my dear friends like Carol, Diana, and some of the rest of you. If you read some comment that you know is some one just coming from ignorance ...don't get to upset. I could delete them but I think it is important to leave them, it reflects some of the mis-understanding of many many people out there.
Sometimes responding from anger (and you can tell, at least I can) does not help, it just feeds their lack of knowledge.
Just love them, forgive them and take care of yourself.
Hopefully someday in someway we will teach!
Love you guys
keep up the dialogue and keep healthy
Love
Mike

Lacy said...

Awesome to see this .I have now bookmarked this in my favs.I will be reading up on it ;).K.I.S.T is a great idea!

Anonymous said...

Its your princess
i googled you
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i enjoyed reading many of them.
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Anonymous said...

Hello Michael,
I am glad you explained the reason why you looked angry with Mr. Simmons on the show! It is also great to see and hear how well you are doing. I would love to meet you someday, and just chat! Are you writing a book?

Respectfully yours,
Renie

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