Limoges: a play (Lady Obesity) to lose weight
Obesity is a pathology that falls within the domain of public health. In France, it now affects 12% of children and more than 15% of adults (1) . As for overweight, which corresponds to a BMI (Body Mass Index) of between 25 and 30, it affects about a third of adults (1) . In order to play down these data, a new form of therapy is emerging. And she goes through the theater.
“Lady Obesity”, a play like no other
Announced as a new life without kilos, this live show dares to tackle the problem of obesity while derisively. Indeed, “Obesity Lady” talks about surgical interventions through various experiences that have happened to the protagonists.
Slices of life of patients operated on for their obesity, with more or less luck or bad luck, success, failure… In fact, the actors are motivated beginners. Formerly obese, the extra pounds caused them suffering and some complexes, mixed with tears when the pressure of not entering the “standard” body overwhelmed them.
Original and unpublished , this play finally comes out of the shadows and is exhibited everywhere in France. Indeed, this initiative is to be supported on the website “Ulule” (3) , now considered the leading European crowdfunding site with more than 5,000 projects already funded.
A lesson in collective and participatory support from France
On a daily basis, morbid obesity is difficult to live with. There is the gaze of others, their judgement. There is also this feeling of guilt at not being able to eat like everyone else, live like them, then this feeling of inferiority that remains and a permanent malaise that sometimes forces the victims of this disease to live half hidden. .
So, how to live in these conditions? How to be in the acceptance of his body? To forget, just for a period of one and a half hours, the time of a show, the yoke of appearances is a great initiative that we owe to the surgeon Maxime Sodji of Limoges. This committed person has created a theatrical workshop with some of his operated patients. It honors bodily and oral expression where fear, the past, tensions, optimism and joy mingle.
But this outstanding doctor does not only put on shows. He designed a blog ( www.obesite-87.com ). On this site, projects such as the Olympic Games for obesity are born. These games will take place throughout the morning of June 14 around Lake Limoges and will be followed, in the afternoon, by a meeting to raise awareness of overweight. The obese feel supported in this way .
Budding actors, all former obese
The meeting with Doctor Sodji completely changed the lives of some obese people operated on by the overweight specialist. Because, beyond the intervention which reduced their weight by approximately 35 kilos, the doctor authorized another life for his patients, an encounter with their “future self” thanks to speech, creativity, staging … Rehearsals will take place from October to November 2014 in Haute-Vienne.
This project is only a beginning, only a draft, since it is part of a program that introduces notions of art therapy in the field of medicine and bariatric surgery. Eventually, it will be taken over by the “Black-out” editions (4) and distributed in a multiple network of booksellers.
Thus, going to the “Ulule” (3) site to support this initiative which raises awareness and goes off the beaten track is really only a matter of common sense.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.