Collecting Stories!

donali · November 1, 2005

I am currently in the process of collecting success and complication stories to include in a new book about the Lapband.

If you're interested in having your story included, please email: testimonials@newhealthdawning.com for more information.

I'm so excited about this project!

:banana

donali · November 2, 2005

I should have been a little more clear:

I am not only looking for stories from people who are at goal, or "successful", or those who've had problems. I'm interested in stories from ANYONE who would care to share - I LOVE reading peoples' stories, and I think the majority of us do!

I haven't thought much about testimonial length, but intend to reserve the right to edit as I see fit without changing the intent of the story. You don't have to be a stellar writer! Here's a little insight into my thoughts:

I will be creating either a pdf form or something structured for the testimonials to be sent so that the basic information can be standardized, and then you can go to town on the story part.

My intent behind the testimonials and the book:

1. To provide stories of ALL types - researching, newbie, mid-journey, success, complication, struggle, loss of band, etc.

2. No doctors/hospitals will be mentioned by name - there will be no bashing/no pedestals.

3. No "spin" will be put on the book. Although I am pro-band, I do not intend for the book to come off as selling the band. At the same time, I do not intend the complication stories to overshadow the positive stories. I want to have someone who reads the book to feel as though they REALLY know what they're getting into - good, bad, and in-between.

4. To have some stories from people who have lost their bands and what they've done to keep their weight off (if anything).

5. To present a lay-person's point of view with as much compiled "reliable" info as I can get.

6. To provide a relatively comprehensive resource for common practices, support groups, and informational websites.

7. To provide people who share their stories an opportunity to have a link to their website included in the book if they wish.

8. To provide as many strategy ideas and tools as I can think of to help people win their war against obesity, banded or not.

Don't think that your story is boring and not worth sharing! Believe me, there are hundreds of people just like every one of us who think they are the only ones who feel a certain way - remember how liberating it was when you read someone's story and realized you weren't alone? YOU can be that person for someone else!

I have never submitted my story to any of the previous people looking for stories because I felt it was unremarkable - but I know now that the way I lived/perceived my journey was interesting to at least a few people. And of course now I am in the unique position to give a first hand account of one person's experience with erosion, and how I came to terms with that and everything it meant to me.

So don't think you have nothing to say! You are ALL important!

The form will include a place where you can designate how you want to be identified in the book, so your desired level of privacy is guaranteed.

Email me today at testimonials@newhealthdawning.com and I will send you the form as soon as it's ready!

:banana :mad:

vinesqueen · November 2, 2005

Hey you hot mamma, I too have been thinking that my journy isn't very remarkable, but it is because I am. And so is everyone else, of course. I just happen to be remarkable in a more flamboyant manner :mad:

What about my NSV list? I don't think I've had more NSVs than most, I've just been more dilligent about recording them.