Hoping to lose

Gaylene Williams knew she'd gained a lot of weight. It was impossible to ignore. Ever since a 1998 knee injury at work stopped her from the daily, mile-long walks to and from her job, she'd been putting on the pounds.

The mirror told the story. The clothes in her closet told the story. Williams weighed more than she ever had, and she wasn't happy about it.

But it wasn't until she heard her doctor call her "obese" that Williams realized how big -- literally -- her problem had become.

In two years, while pursuing a workers' compensation claim to fund her knee replacement surgery, she'd gained more than 150 pounds and gone up eight clothing sizes. A former waitress and cashier, Williams had never worked a job where she wasn't on her feet. Being off them made a big difference, fast.

Worst of all, her doctor told Williams her weight threatened her health. Unless she brought it down, she wouldn't be a good candidate for the surgery she needs.

Williams feels caught in a Catch-22. She gained the weight because her knee injury forced her to stop exercising. Yet she can't fix her knee until she drops some weight.

Her obesity debilitates her in many ways, Williams said. She finds it hard to stand up from a seated position. When she shops for groceries, she needs to rely on a battery-operated cart to navigate the store. And though she's been approved for funding for a wheelchair, she hasn't been able to find one that will accommodate her large size.

In the midst of this, Williams has been working toward a healthier future. Three days a week, as part of work retraining, she volunteers at Catholic Social Services' St. Francis House, providing social service resource information to statewide callers to the Alaska Info Line. In that role, she's patiently helped people mired in tough situations -- from poor families whose electricity had been turned off to a father concerned about his suicidal son.

Yet, when it came to her own dilemma, she didn't know where to turn.

While learning new job skills -- sitting at a desk is "a complete change" for her, says Williams -- she lives on disability checks, which don't stretch far. She used her Permanent Fund dividend check to help her adult son pay medical bills related to unexplained gastrointestinal pains. Those costs, she says, have topped $10,000.

"The Permanent Funds didn't hardly touch it," said Williams. "We have nothing. The savings are gone." Only the help of her fiance, who is retired, has made it possible for them to meet expenses, she said.

Sympathetic co-workers impressed with Williams' patience, kindness and work ethic nominated her for the Book of Dreams, in hopes that getting help with her biggest burden would give Williams a much-needed boost.

"Gaylene is a loving presence at St. Francis House," wrote manager Sara Jackson. "While she waits patiently for her life to improve, she courageously continues to contribute in every way she can."

With a little help and encouragement, says Williams, she can take that weight off. n

Gaylene Williams

K-1 Supervised diet program, $1,800

K-2 Personal training, six months, $770

K-3 Day of Beauty (facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup and hair style), $215