Come join the TOP 25 Size Acceptance Sites
BIGGER AND BETTER
ENTERPRISES INC.
Volume Two Issue Two
February-March 1999
BIGGER AND BETTER WINE TASTING
& DUAL FASHION SHOW
By Alexis Adams - Gleaton
This evening was especially memorable to me
as it was also my wedding night. Tom & I had our ceremony 1 hour before
the event began. It was beautiful and the pictures from it can be found
on the site. Approximately 30 of our friends from Bigger And Better gathered
with us as we said our vows. After the kiss sealing our Union we tossed
the bouquet and cut the cake. Patty ended up catching the bouquet so maybe
Patty will be next.
After the wedding we moved right along to the
wine tasting. John Davis of Pieroth Wines and one of his associates put
on that part of the event. We were treated to ten different wines along
with a great explanation of each. He also educated us a lot about wines
and what to look for. Also how to properly taste them. A few of us decided
to buy some from him after the presentation.
Then we moved along to our double fashion show.
First Jody with Myles Ahead dressed up some of our event attendees and had
them model her clothes for everyone. All the models looked great and Jody's
clothes were beautiful. They can be seen now at the Myles ahead webite.
A link for them is on our website. After a while it was Mimis turn to show
her wares. Her company Beach Bubbles treated us with two piece bathing wear.
Again our models did an excellent job. Even Missy who was brand new to our
club agreed to model. She looked gorgeous in her bathing suit!
The event lasted till 2 A.M. we all had a wonderful
time.
IN MY OPINION
By Alexis Adams - Gleaton
Each day I realize how little most people understand
about people of size.Even before I became the 475 lb size I am today, for
most of my life my weight was constantly on my mind. It entered into many
decisions that I had to make on a regular basis. For instance, dining out,
theater going,swimming,car rides, trips on a plane and so forth.
Whenever I went somewhere my first thought was
"will I fit?" followed by "How many people are going to see
me trying to fit?". Thats probably why I tended to isolate a lot. It
was easier then actually trying. As time passes and I age, I have started
to realize that it really doesn't matter what others say, or how they look
at me. If I am doing what I want to do then that's all that matters.
What I would like to do is enlist everyones
help in building an all state database of Fat Friendly places,medical professionals,
hospitals,theaters,attractions & so forth. I would also like to hear
about those that are not. I want to be able to reach out to those that aren't
and try to educate them. Perhaps we can increase our number of fat friendly
people so that we may feel accepted as we should. The best address to email
this to is marketing@biggeramdbetter Please mark the subject as Activism.
Thanks for your help.
THE FA WAY :A SUPERSIZE HOSPITAL
EXPERIENCE
By Thomas Gleaton
Fat or thin, all people expect professionals in a field to know "what
to do" in their area of expertise. In a hospital, one assumes that
doctors, nurses, & paramedics are trained and given procedures to handle
every situation.
As an F.A. (fat admirer), I had the opportunity to see first-hand
how wrong that assumption is. I give these professionals credit, they try
to heal the sick & make people who are suffering more comfortable to
the best of their ability. I give every health care professional I came
into contact with respect for doing all they could to help Alexis and I
during our week long "vacation" at Florida Hospital.
Our story begins with the sudden onset of an illness that caused Alexis
to ask me to call 911. In the time I have known Alexis, I knew that ambulance
rides & trips to the hospital were nightmares for her & to be avoided
at all costs. For her to tell me to call 911, I knew this was serious.
After calling 911, Alexis told me what to expect having been transported
before like this. Surprisingly, she accurately predicted what happened next.
Eight people showed up, a few firemen, two paramedics, and even a fire truck
with a "big ladder" was brought in for the extra manpower. The
EMT's knew ahead of time that they would need extra people. What bewilders
me is they would bring an ambulance that did not have room to transport
Alexis functionally, and the "group" which had not dealt with
Alexis before. Complicating the matter was the fact that the health problem
she was going in for caused transport to be harder to accomplish, and much
more painful for her to endure. I was nervous and scared as Alexis was hoisted
up on a stretcher by eight men and women and lifted into the back of the
ambulance. At one point Alexis fell forward while she was already lifted
up four feet off the ground. These people handled the situation to the best
of their ability, however at that point I realized that in yet another area
our "one size fits all world" was rejecting Alexis's "bigger
than life" body again.
By some cruel irony, the paramedics dropped her causing all 500lbs of her
body weight to settle on the leg which was causing her to have to be transported.
Apparently not accustomed to dealing with someone her size, they mistakenly
expected Alexis to be able to just "sit up" and shift her own
weight to get her body into a comfortable position.
Due to their inability to adjust her position, she was forced despite her
own pain, discomfort and limited mobility to move herself into a position
that was bearable. Looking into the ambulance, I saw her legs wedged between
the edge of the stretcher and a large cabinet in the ambulance. I knew that
was very painful, and it hurt me to know she was suffering more. I was thinking,
"this is an ambulance, after all, how long could she be trapped in
that position?"
The ambulance finally took off, and I jumped into my truck and followed
as closely as I could. I ran a red light just to stay on her tail so I could
be there when they got her out. I had quite a scare when I saw how they
floundered putting her in. I had to see them take her out. I have also heard
stories about rude comments & direct insults made by such personnel
before. I felt that she had been spared that kind of treatment at least
while I was there, so I wanted the same warm arrival to such a miserable
place for her.
Arriving at the hospital I received my first lesson from my
Super-sized wife, as painful as it is for her to sit in the ambulance, she
refused to get onto a standard sized hospital stretcher. I was confused
at first, but showed only my support for her wishes. She indicated to a
paramedic the fact that she could not sit on a standard stretcher because
of the way she has to sit up or lay back at her size.
I made sense of the situation, knowing how she has to get in and out of
a bed, and knowing how she sits every day. I have seen how her body works.
I realize the difference in the way her posture has to be, and how she can't
do some of the things that a smaller person takes for granted. Alexis is
big, she needs more space than some to be safe and comfortable. Comfort,
however, was not the main issue here. Her body must be in a certain position
to continue normal circulation and keep her back from breaking under the
stress of such weight. A combination of events that day taught me more than
I had ever learned previously.
Alexis sat in the Ambulance waiting to be informed that the cart was ready
to move her. Previously transporting her had left painful & humiliating
memories, still vividly in her mind of being dragged through a hospital
on a sheet on the floor. During her last trip, a solution was found to transport
her around the hospital. The cart needed was low to the ground, most importantly
wide! It's hard to imagine how serious it is that Alexis needs special precautions
to preserve the health she has now. If her legs sit dangling off the edges
of a standard stretcher, they would both shortly be asleep, in serious pain,
at risk for a blood clot, and more serious complications that can occur.
After thirty minutes, the head nurse said that a standard stretcher was
"regulation" and must be used. Alexis promptly reminded the paramedic
how bad that would be. Once again he went back inside to consult the head
nurse. In disbelief she came out to see why such special & inconvenient
provisions were warranted. Seeing Alexis wedged in that ambulance she called
maintenance to supply the carts. Alexis knew specifically what was needed.
She had experienced this before. I noticed how oblivious people are to the
existence of a person who is "too big" in our one size fits all
mentality. An hour later, maintenance approached with the needed cart, mattress
in place. Alexis reiterated how necessary it was to have two because of
her legs. An hour & a half later, extreme pain building up in her bound
legs & feeling lightheaded she agreed to get onto that single cart while
the other cart was located
Eight people helped get Alexis out of this narrow enclosure. They attempted
several times to pick her up under her arms. That's very painful, &
another example of people not understanding how a body that big works. Would
a paramedic attempt to suspend 500lbs from one arm by the hand? Then, why
attempt to grab a 500 lb person under her arms to lift her. These people
are not trained about size. They were doing what they are trained to do
with "average sized" individuals. Even I might make the same mistakes
if I did not consider size every time I helped her. Alexis' shoulder already
had problems, and this added to the tremendous pain she had from her leg,
and now having both legs down for an hour and smashed in a space that was
too small for them her pain was increasing.
I realize now that they simply didn't know what to do. If Alexis had not
been insistent on not using an average stretcher, our problems would have
been much worse. She was removed from the ambulance, & helped to get
onto the makeshift cart. She struggled to keep her legs together, but the
paramedics still had to make sure that she did not start rolling off of
one side or another of this cart that was already much wider than their
own stretchers.
Once inside the ER area, I helped her to get up and walk to the restroom.
I stayed with her to make sure she was ok. Upon returning to her cart &
feeling faint, she asked me to call the nurse. The nurse came in & I
was already trying to be sure that she did not fall back as she was in shock.
A doctor came and said "you're not going to faint" just then she
fell back and a nurse caught her as she fainted & fell completely back.
Unlike some of us she can't stay in that position and continue to breathe
normally. She also experiences serious back pain laying flat on her back
due to her shape. It puts extraordinary pressure on her lower back. Alexis
was given oxygen, & before long the pain of that position brought her
around enough to sit up. Upon taking her pulse and pressure, she had a pulse
of 44 (average for her is 76) and a pressure of 52 over 42 (usually 100
over 70). Alexis believes that it was the position she was in that contributed
to such deterioration of her condition. Two hours later a 2nd cart arrived.
Another half of an hour passed, and I could not handle seeing my wife in
pain any longer. I grabbed the cart myself from the hall and placed it under
her swollen legs.
Three more hours passed, before a nurse entered explaining they were admitting
her & getting ready to transport her again and they took away the second
cart. They actually tied the corners of the sheet to hold her legs on the
cart. I could've understood doing this as a temporary measure in moving
her right away, but she would have been left in that position for three
hours had I not untied her legs after the first half hour. I realize that
in a busy hospital it takes time to progress from emergency to a room, but
to take away her comfort for that long and endanger her circulation by tying
up her legs after what already happened started to anger me.
It was necessary to use just one cart to get into the elevator and down
halls. I walked along side holding up the corners of that sheet to keep
her legs together without tying them up. Once in the room, the nurses were
really considerate and caring. Enduring transport and the uncomfortable
and dangerous wait already, it was nice to see some concern and consideration.
The room was comfortable, quiet & out of the way. At the end of a hall,
we were secluded except for a waiting area with chairs. Everyone was cheery
& encouraged her to get better and offering all kinds of help. I almost
would have felt comfortable trying to get some work done during her stay,
but no matter how quick they were to offer help, when she really needed
some assistance they were very slow to come to her aid. Sometimes hours
would pass before anyone answered.
It's hard to criticize when every one's pleasant and willing to help. I
could not leave for more than two hours without worrying that Alexis would
hurt herself trying to get up without assistance. Alexis was given a "water
pill" which caused her to need to get up more, and without fail every
time I was gone for more than two hours she had already gotten up on her
own at least once. Four times in a week, I was gone for 2 hours. Each time
she would call for help and wait an hour before she had to get up herself
due to the urgency.
Most staff did their best to help. When things were getting uncomfortable
there were people doing their best but were at a loss as to how to help
someone of this size.
Sharing this, I hope that super-sized people learn to be advocates of their
own safety and dignity. Especially in situations with professionals who
"know what they are doing" and you may feel intimidated. A super-sized
individual is constantly exposed to peer pressure, ridicule, and overly
aggressive diet marketing. Another concern of mine in our "one size
fits all " world is the medical arena. In most cases, there are available
precautions and procedures for someone who is slightly over-weight, or even
considered "obese" but with a more manageable body shape. There
are times, when a super-sized person's life is actually in danger because
of assumptions made based on training for and experience with average sized
individuals. Emergency personnel realized that extra man-power would be
needed without even a mention from me on the 911 call. It was the only preparation
they thought about making though. An hour and a half wait to get out of
the ambulance is unacceptable. I shudder to imagine what could have happened
had she not been conscious to help them under the circumstances. In a case
like that, I would have to be her voice and I know now that I can never
make the assumption that they would not need any help from me. Usually,
there is an "I know better than you" attitude in professional
people. They don't learn until their way fails, then they have no choice
but to listen. I hope not a single super-sized person who reads this thinks
that they will be taken care of without incident without speaking up. I
think that there are times when even the best medical professionals really
don't realize the danger in letting something go just because someone is
"uncomfortable". I'm glad I was here to help my wife during this
ordeal in any way that I could while it was happening. I really empathize
with those who are in a similar situation alone. I am sharing our own experience
in hope that people realize the danger that lies in the area of emergency
medical care. People must take this seriously, and learn about this "just
in case" they are ever in a similar situation.
LAUREATES LAIR
MY SPECIAL FRIEND
By lauren Hall
You are a special person
and you mean the world to me
no one could ever take your place
and friends we'll always be
You're always there to lean on
when I need to shed a tear
you're always there to listen
when I talk about my fears
So thank you friend for all you've done
you've been faithful and been true
and if you should ever need someone
I'll be there for you
What Reason Then
Blessed are the days we live
Bless the love we have to give
For if we had no love to give
What reason then for us to live
Blessed are the friends we make
Bless the joy from them we take
For if there were no joy to take
What reason then for friends to make
A giving heart is what we share
With those for whom we really care
But if we really didn't care
What reason then our hearts to share
Rejoice when good friends come your way
Give blessings to that special day
But if your life they weren't part
We wouldn't bless what they impart
So blessings go to those we love
Whose friendship is so well thought of
But if that friendship were not there
What reason then to go elsewhere
IN THE KITCHEN
MONKEY BREAD
3 packages refrigerator buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
Preheat the oven to 350°. Quarter the biscuits
and roll each quarter into a ball. Mix the white sugar and
cinnamon. Roll each biscuit ball into the mixture. Coat each one well. Place
them all into a greased Bundt
pan. Boil the brown sugar and butter together until sugar is dissolved.
Pour over the biscuit balls.
Sprinkle the remaining sugar/cinnamon mixture on top. Bake 30 minutes.
HUSH PUPPIES
1/2 cup self rising flour
1 cup corn meal
1 onion, chopped fine
1 egg
1 teaspoon sugar
buttermilk
vegetable oil
Mix flour, corn meal, onion, egg, and sugar
with enough buttermilk to make a stiff batter. Drop by
teaspoonfuls into deep hot oil. Fry until golden brown.
BLACK BEAN SOUP
1 lb. black beans
2 onions, chopped
2 bell peppers, chopped
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup olive oil
2 qts. water
Wash beans and soak overnight.
The next day, boil the beans in the same water. Add all the other
ingredients. Cover. Cook slowly about 1 1/2 hours. Serve over white rice
with chopped onion and
vinegar.
Doberge
(Cajun Layer Cake)
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs, separated, whites beaten until stiff
1 cup buttermilk
2 squares squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Preheat your oven to 300°. Grease
and flour 2 nine" round cake pans. Separate the eggs and beat the
whites till stiff. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together. Cream
the butter and sugar in another
bowl. Add egg yolks. Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk,
then add chocolate and mix well
by beating about 3 minutes. Fold in the 3 beaten egg whites, vanilla, and
almond extracts. Bake for 45
minutes or until done. After the cake cools, split each layer in half to
make 4 thin layers.
The filling:
2 1/2 cups evaporated milk
2 squares semi-sweet chocolate
1 1/4 cups sugar
5 Tablespoons flour
4 egg yolks
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler
with the milk. Add the sugar and flour, and stir over medium until
thick. Add 4 egg yolks all at once and stir rapidly. Cook 2 or 3 minutes
more. Remove from heat, and add
butter, vanilla, and almond extract. Cool and spread on cake, layering as
you go. Do not spread on top
layer.
The frosting:
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Boil the sugar and milk together, stirring
constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 6 minutes without
stirring. Remove from heat and drop in chocolate. Add the butter and vanilla
and return to medium low
heat, cooking 1 or 2 minutes. Cool in refrigerator. Beat thoroughly and
then spread over the top and
sides of the cake.
ALL ABOUT MiMI
By Missy Phillbrick
I am Fat! I am proud! I am me!
My husband met Mimi while working as a security officer at
the company Mimi works for. Jeff and Mimi started talking, and Mimi invited
us to attend a Bigger and Better party. I was quite apprehensive and not
sure what to expect. I had never been around a group of people who accepted
me for who I was. But Jeff and I decided to go and check it out. It was
my first time meeting Mimi, but she swept me up in a welcoming hug as if
we had been friends for life. She told me that she was going to have some
of the girls at the party model the bathing suits that she and her business
partner Marianne had created, and asked if I would wear one. I was vehemently
opposed to the idea, but by the end of the day, Mimi had me in a two piece
bathing suit, modeling in front of a crowd of onlookers. I never could have
dreamed of putting on a one-piece bathing suit, let alone a two piece!
However, that's Mimi: a sexy, sassy, very persuasive super
size BBW with an infectious personality. She lives by one motto: I am fat.
I am proud. I am me. I have to admit that it was difficult for her vivacious
spirit and the pride she felt for herself to not rub off on me.
Mimi and I both grew up with the same mentality: HIDE YOUR
BODY! Be ashamed, be very ashamed! On the contrary, Mimi has worked hard
to help women of any size feel comfortable and proud of who they are. About
a year ago, Mimi got frustrated because she could not find any decent bathing
suits for BBW's. Clothing companies apparently shared the mentality that
fat women should hide their bodies. The only type of suits Mimi could find
had a skirt or shorts attached. Mimi was tired of hiding, and feeling like
the word Fat was a four-letter word. She got together with her friend Marianne,
a former designer of bathing suits for Hawaiian. They designed. Mimi cut.
Marianne sewed. And Beach Bubbles was born. A web site for her company will
soon be available.
Mimi has come a long way since her days in New Jersey. She
loves to sing karaoke and won a contest five years ago that brought her
here to Florida. The prize was a trip to this area. Mimi and her family
fell in love with the area and moved here.
Ok you single guys, Mimi is waiting to hear from you. She
loves singing karaoke, dancing, laughing, and cuddling. Send her an email.
If you want to see a pic, check out the pictures on the Bigger and Better
Website of the December 12th party. You'll be glad
you did.
FA OF THE MONTH
By Alexis Adams- Gleaton
This months FA spotlight is on Dave Whitlock. He is 42 years
old and lives in Orlando. When Dave isn't online he is busy at work. His
days & nights are a bit reversed as he works 11 p.m.to 7 A.M. most of
the time as a triage nurse at a local hospital.
Dave stands 6 ft tall , has wavy brown hair, brown eyes and
a killer smile. He is also currently single having been divorced now for
4 years after a 12 year marriage. He has 2 children. They are both boys
12 & 8.Their names are Steven & Craig and they live with their mom.
Some of Daves hobbies include, Model Trains, Remote Control
airplanes, Paintball, Basketball & he plays bass guitar. He actually
was in a band for 5 years.
One of his goals is to travel all over the united states.
Randomly stopping here & there on whims. First though he wants to find
Mrs Right to share the experience with. Dave has traveled extensively in
the past. He has been to England, Ireland,Scotland, Greece & Spain.
His stories about these trips are fascinating.
His ideal mate would be a large to supersize BBW. Children
are fine. His only qualifications is they must know how to laugh. He loves
a good joke & frequently goes to comedy clubs.
Dave plans to attend lots of the Bigger And Better Events.
If you want to meet him that would be the perfect place. I really enjoyed
getting to know him. He is a strong yet compassionate man. He seems like
he'd make a great companion for any woman.
THE BIGGER & BETTER MS FLORIDA BBW
PAGEANT
This event will take place September 3rd-5th 1999. The location
is still to be determined but will be in the Orlando area. This will be
a three day event. Lots of fun is planned. Prizes for the contestants. If
you'd like to be a contestant or just want to volunteer your help on this
project email me,
EMAIL
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
March 27th, 1999
Mardi Gras Style Cajun Night
Place Tom & Alexis Time 7 p.m.
Dress Up ! Plan to Party Hearty!
Pot Luck Cajun & Creole & New Orleans Style Foods
B.Y.O.B.
April 10th,1999
Lingerie Fashion Show & Game Night
Place Alexis & Tom's Time 7 p.m.
Get Ready to Play , Sing & Party
Pot Luck Finger Foods
B. Y. O. B.
April 17th 1999
Join us for an exercise class geared for
the large & supersize woman
Place Alexis & Tom's 11 A.M.
Weat Loose clothes to exercise in &
bring a floor mat or blanket.
Pot Luck Healthy Lunch Items
April 24th,1999
Hawaiian Luau come dress to
Hula
Place Alexis & Tom's Time 7 p.m.
B.Y.O.B. & Pot Luck Hawaiian
style dishes
CAN YOU DO SOMETHING TO HELP EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT SIZE
ACCEPTANCE?
SEEKING PEOPLE WILLING TO SERVE AS COMMITTEE CHAIR PEOPLE
IN ALL MAJOR CITIES PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICES AT:
407-977-5143 office
407 -977-7610 fax
Address: 923 Ardillita Ct
Winter Springs Fl 32708
EMAIL IF INTERESTED TO ALEXIS OR TOM.
Tomthefa@biggerandbetter.net Thomas Gleaton, President of Bigger and Better
Enterprises Inc.
Alexis@biggerandbetter.net Alexis Adams, Vice President
of Bigger and Better Enterprises Inc.
WE NEED ARTICLES, POEMS & PICS FOR UPCOMING NEWSLETTERS
We would like to get some information from all of you out there interested
in participating in BIGGER AND BETTER ENTERPRISES. Nothing to personal.
Just some info that can help us create better events & newsletters.
Thank you for your help. Please email or snail mail the form back to us.
Name ________________________
Address ________________________________________________
Phone #_____________________ Do you want others to have it if they ask us
___________________
Birthday___________
Age group 20-30____ 30-40_____ 40 -50______ 50 & over _____
Occupation ___________________________
Hobbies_______________________________
Would you considering giving others from your area a ride to events?
Are you in need of a ride to events?___________________________
What type of events would you like to see?_____________________
What features can we add to our newsletter that would make it better?__________________________________________________
What would you like to see added to our web site?_______________
Please return this to Alexis by email to nosass123@aol.com
Or by mail Bigger And Better Enterprises
923 Ardillita Ct.
Winter Springs Fl 32708
