Care Doula Origins

Angered by systemic inequality that my clients faced, angered by the anti-fatness of my profession. This is where I found myself two years ago while working as a registered dietitian. I was so fed up with trying to provide individual solutions to systemic issues. I was so angry that clients were denied the care they deserved because they were fat. I didn’t want to be a part of it but I still wanted to help people— I needed to another way.

During my Master’s in Public Health, I was so lucky to be introduced to a badass fat activist that opened up a whole new world to me about what equitable access and care can and should look like for everyone no matter their size. I was developing a fat politic that didn’t align with the medical field I was entering, and that was confusing—it felt like I didn’t fit in. I joined fat activist organizations and groups that were leading the charge in advancing the rights of fat people, and meeting with other professionals that were grappling with the same issues.

During a webinar hosted by ASDAH, presenter Hunter Shackleford discussed abolishing our current medical system in order to build something that was equitable for fat people. Shackleford briefly mentioned that the role of the dietitian or therapist could look like a care doula in this new medical model. As soon as I heard Care Doula, I knew I had to bring that into fruition. I loved it, it sounded like the answer to the anger and frustrations I had been feeling as a registered dietitian.

It’s been almost two years since I first heard the term Care Doula and I have just been dreaming, praying, and meditating on what and how I wanted to bring Care Doula into the world. I feel like I have settled on something that feels good and was ready to share it with the world, fully knowing that the Care Doula will continue to grow and evolve as I continue to grow and evolve— and isn’t that a beautiful thing.