Remembering David and a Push to Continue for Change:
In 2010, several individuals came together to form E.C.H.O. with the goal of making a difference in the lives of others, by assisting and encouraging them to become more healthy and more active. While the mission of the organization is designed to help many children and their families become healthier, one person served as the base inspiration for this project.
David Slattery battled obesity for most of his life. E.C.H.O. was formed in order to help others, through David’s story. According to his sister Anne, David loved talking to people of any age, striking up conversations, and sharing stories. If he did not know you when the conversation started, he knew you when it completed.
E.C.H.O was established in order for David to share his motivational story with the hope of helping others with similar struggles to continue the journey forward. David’s gift for sharing and inspiring was to motivate others to continue to work every single day for a healthier life and a healthier being.
Unfortunately, David’s story ended prematurely, before he could share it fully with the E.C.H.O. community. He passed away on Sunday, March 3 from congestive heart failure. As a child, David loved being active. He was always swimming in the backyard pool or riding his bike through the neighborhood. He gained a significant amount of weight in his early 20’s, and along with the extra weight came many struggles and challenges; including depression. With a strong family support system, David worked hard to maintain mobility; walking stairs and playing with his dogs. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
In August 2009, David received Gastric Bypass Surgery. He lost approximately 200 in the first year after the surgery and an additional 200 pounds after that. In total, David lost more than 420 pounds, and was only 100 pounds short of the goal set by his doctors.
Weight-loss surgery can be a vital tool in making significant life changes for individuals suffering from obesity, but it is not a free pass. Surgery like the gastric bypass is the beginning of a long-term commitment to good health, good nutrition, exercise and permanent weight loss.
David’s recovery was a steady, but slow process. He found a new life, a fresh start, and a way to be young and active again. He continued to exercise, and began taking nutrition courses in order to learn how to cook smarter foods, use smarter ingredients and manage his portion sizes.
His progress was not without challenges though; and like many individuals suffering from obesity, David also suffered from severe depression. In recent months, David’s struggle with depression became more and more evident to his family.
Anne, co-founder of E.C.H.O., hopes her brother’s legacy will continue to shape and enhance the organization’s mission moving forward.
