Waves of Change for Obesity Awareness

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Waves of Change for Obesity Awareness Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Waves of Change for Obesity Awareness, Nonprofit Organization, 2263 Portobello Drive, Orléans Ontario, Orleans, ON.

Waves of Change is a local initiative founded by Vicki-Anne Rodrigue and supported by Obesity Canada 🇨🇦

On March 4, she will swim 2–5 km in Orléans to raise awareness about obesity and help change the conversation around stigma.

Meeting my hero, Cassie, was a moment I won’t forget. Cassie is a beautiful, passionate 19-year-old living with obesity,...
03/30/2026

Meeting my hero, Cassie, was a moment I won’t forget. Cassie is a beautiful, passionate 19-year-old living with obesity, and a powerful voice and advocate for all of us. She shared her story, along with a poem she had written for one of the sessions, and there was hardly a dry eye in the room.

Her story reminded me exactly why I started Waves of Change. I didn’t know Cassie when I did my swim on March 4, but I do now. And I’m more committed than ever to swimming for her, and for everyone who has made obesity care their mission, in all future Waves of Change Swim Challenges.

Day 3 takeaway: patients living with obesity deserve facts, not blame.Obesity is a real, chronic disease. It is brain-ce...
03/30/2026

Day 3 takeaway: patients living with obesity deserve facts, not blame.

Obesity is a real, chronic disease. It is brain-centred, largely genetic, and strongly influenced by environment.

It is not a lack of willpower. It is not a moral failure. And it is not the patient’s fault.

Most importantly: treatment exists. Bariatric surgery, GLP-1 medications, exercise, and nutrition support can all play a role.

We need to do better in how we talk about obesity with science, compassion, and respect.

Had a very productive Day 2 attending workshops focused on weight stigmatization across the lifespan. The session "Obesi...
03/29/2026

Had a very productive Day 2 attending workshops focused on weight stigmatization across the lifespan.
The session "Obesity Across the Lifespan: Connecting Research to Real-World Care" featured three presentations that really challenged the current status quo in Canadian healthcare.
One of the biggest hurdles identified is how we teach obesity in medical schools. For too long, it’s been framed simply as a precursor to other conditions.

We need to shift that narrative to reflect the reality: it is a complex, chronic metabolic disease shaped by everything from biology to systemic factors and trauma.
I was also moved by research into the experiences of kinesiology students. Hearing how students in larger bodies have felt stigmatized or "singled out" during lectures is a reminder that weight bias starts long before a practitioner enters the clinic.

Lastly, I’m keeping a close eye on an ongoing study regarding weight bias and pain detection. Ensuring that every patient's pain is taken seriously, regardless of their size, is a fundamental step toward equitable care.

During the first day of the Obesity Summit, the opening ceremonies started with so much energy, but the atmosphere shift...
03/27/2026

During the first day of the Obesity Summit, the opening ceremonies started with so much energy, but the atmosphere shifted quickly to something much more profound and sobering.

We attended a powerful presentation titled "Experiences of Weight Stigma From Childhood to Adulthood," and it was a true eye-opener. We heard testimonies from individuals who have faced shaming from every corner of lifefriends, family, and most distressingly, healthcare professionals.

It was horrifying to hear stories of people being denied life-saving surgeries or having cancer diagnoses delayed because providers couldn't see past their weight. Some were even told their vision issues were somehow linked to their size—a claim with zero correlation—just to deny them basic care like a pair of eyeglasses.

This hit home for me. It brought back every "comment" I’ve ever received from strangers and colleagues alike.
While I have always advocated for myself and refused to accept the oversimplified "calories in, calories out" myth, hearing these collective voices reminded me of the deep "meanness of spirit" that still exists.

I actually had to take a moment to breathe and center myself. It is painful to revisit the past, but it is also incredibly inspiring to witness the courage in this room. The lived experience experts here are rising above the noise to help change the narrative for everyone.

I don’t know what I did to deserve a seat at this table, but I am so glad that I am here.

03/10/2026

Thank you again for all the support and encouragement.
The fundraiser is still open if you would like to continue supporting the cause. Donations to Obesity Canada can still be made link in bio ⬆️

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support the Waves of Change for Obesity swim challenge, to everyone who st...
03/07/2026

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support the Waves of Change for Obesity swim challenge, to everyone who stood by me over the past few weeks, and to all those who believed in this journey. Your encouragement meant more than words can say.

My sincere thanks to Councillor Laura Dudas and Councillor Matt Luloff for their presence and for their kind and supportive words.

A heartfelt thank you as well to MPP Stephen Blais and his team for joining us and for their kindness and encouragement at this inaugural event.

I am also truly grateful to the staff at the François Dupuis Recreation Centre for helping make this event possible.

And finally, a very special thank you to Obesity Canada - Obésité Canada Your support and encouragement throughout this journey meant so much and played such an important role in bringing this event to life.

This is only the beginning.






03/04/2026

What is she hoping for today?
More awareness and more open conversations about obesity as a chronic disease.

Tomorrow is the big day.I’ll be taking part in the Waves of Change swim in support of Obesity Canada, from 3:00 to 4:00 ...
03/04/2026

Tomorrow is the big day.

I’ll be taking part in the Waves of Change swim in support of Obesity Canada, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the François Dupuis Recreation Centre.

If you’re in the area, feel free to come by, swim with us, or simply stop in to say hello.

If you’d like to support the cause, you can also make a donation directly to Obesity Canada through the link in my bio.

Every stroke helps raise awareness and support advocacy around obesity as a chronic disease.

******************
Demain, c’est la grande journée.

Je serai au Centre récréatif François Dupuis de 15h à 16h pour le défi Vagues de Changement nage pour la sensibilisation à l’obésité.

Si vous êtes dans le coin, venez nager avec moi ou simplement passer dire bonjour.
Et si vous souhaitez soutenir la cause, vous pouvez aussi faire un don directement à Obésité Canada via le lien dans ma bio.

Chaque mouvement compte pour faire avancer la sensibilisation autour de l’obésité comme maladie chronique.


03/01/2026

On March 4, we’re coming together to make a difference.

Join us in the pool 🏊‍♀️ or support the cause by donating to Obesity Canada. Every stroke supports awareness and advocacy across Canada.

Link in bio 🔗

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2263 Portobello Drive, Orléans Ontario
Orleans, ON

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