I am by no way racist or bias, and will equally make fun of all, but being a disabled person, there is nothing worse than hearing someone associate another person being overweight or “obese” in the same category as someone with a disability. Wanna know how big this issue is? Approximitaly 137,000 people in this country claim Social Security due to obesity. Which leads to 137,000 issued handicapped plates/tags, 137,000 less handicapped spots for people who ACTUALLY need them, and a whole lot of pissed off handicapped people who suffer from this. Infact you want to know how easy it is to be considered “Obese” according to ADA? “To be covered by the law you need to have a BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 400lbs or be at least 100 pounds overweight.” Sounds pretty cool to me. Not only can I eat what I want, not work, get paid by the government, but I can also laugh at the poor crippled kids while I’m at it. Heres an Idea! Since I’m already crippled, if I get overweight, than maybe I can collect two checks, one for the disability and one for the obesity, SWEET.
Here is my rational for this. While most say obesity can not be controlled and is genetic, and the ADA and Supreme Court says they fall under law and all that I say BS. A disability truly cannot be controlled. I cannot get on a weight loss plan, go to the gym, get a tummy tuck, or any other means of losing weight, and all of a sudden POOF I can walk. Doesn’t work that way, I am crippled for life. Not even Jared at Subway can save me. So what am I truly asking for by writing about this? Nothing. I want people to know what a “True” disability is and how we are affected by this, which is more than a parking spot. Its benefits, jobs, community, laws and so much more.
Obesity is not a Disability
May 6, 2008 by 2LessLegs
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Duseetin,
I understand where you are coming from, however please do not diminish how truly disabling severe obesity can be. A disability is a disability – no matter how it is acquired. As a bariatric surgeon, my career is focused on the treatment of obesity. Just because this disability is “reversable”, does not make it any less disabling. In fact, many of my patients not only have to deal with the physical aspects of this illness, but society tends to ostracize the obese, and my patients have to tolerate discrimination in many forms, including your blog.
Instead of attacking others who you consider less disabled than yourself, you should focus your attention on the policymakers who do not provide enough handicapped parking spots or social security benefits for those in need. The ideas in this blog only perpetuate the discrimination of the obese. Skinny people see them as sick, and the “disabled” don’t see them as sick enough…
Sincerely,
Dr. J.D. Braverman
http://www.thenewprogram.com
I say hurray for Dr. Braverman. He is right, you can’t possibly know how disabling obesity is. However, I disagree with him in believing it is reversible. Bariatric surgery reverses it by giving the patient a malabsorption syndrome, thereby substituting one disability for another.
Disabled people shouldn’t be comparing themselves to each other, competing for the title of “Most Disabled”. By your definition, people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or some other invisible disabilities would not be considered disabled, and you would get on them for taking handicapped parking spots, too.
I am sorry you are disabled. I am disabled, too. Get over yourself, already.
I understand what the doc is saying but I agree with Dustin that obesity and fatness is not a disability like those who are rendered to a wheelchair, or are not being able to see. Obesity is a problem resulted by the individuals poor diet and eating habits, lack of exercise and education. And a huge problem in this country (USA).
I am an architect by profession and I am familiar with fulfilling ADA requirements in built environments. I understand the need to provide accessibility to those who may not be able to travel as easily as those who have sight or have the mobility of two legs. The introduction and enforcement of ADA requirements is a big statement to society by the handicap; in that they are independent people too, and can function like anyone else, and they don’t want to be treated any less despite their disability. No back door treatment for the handicap.
Accommodating fat people with wider seats does not make a powerful statement of independence. To me, that just says, “It’s okay to be fat. Eat up.” It’s not okay to be fat. It’s unhealthy and abusive to one’s body and well being.
Obesity is a problem, not a disability. That’s not to say that obesity isn’t disabling for some. Just because someone is so overweight that they have a hard time getting around and give up, doesn’t make it a disability. It’s really pathetic especially where there are people who are blind or in wheelchairs that don’t give up, and strive to live their lives despite their handicaps.
I ran across this blog, while searching for evidence that Obesity is a disability.
Anyone who can offer me a website that would give a good definition of physical handicaps, and obesity being considered one, it would be greatly appreciated.
And after reading, I found this very intresting. I’m doing a research paper on “Fat people being considered handicap”
I can not either agree or disagree with any of you, for the only reason, sometimes the issue of a person’s weight does get in the way of their daily routine. Sometimes, it is caused by themselves, and sometimes from other physical reasons.
I’m a tiny person, but in my family, I have a severely overweight sister, who brought the obese on herself, and has a hard time loosing it, but she don’t consider herself to be handicapped.
Now if she reaches the 300-500 range and needs to be lifted out of the house, with a tractor than she will have a problem, and it would be considered a handicap
I’m not racist towards obese people, for she is not the only one in the family who are very overweight, I myself don’t believe weight being an issue in with whom I am around.
To be honest there are ways that some can become obese without having poor diet say my best friend’s mother has diabetes and she is overweight and cannot control it at all. Also I have another friend that has Thiaroid problems and uncontroled weight. To say that being obese is not a disbility is complete BS but I know some people who claim disability for being obese and they are really not disabled. I understand where everyone is comming from but I don’t understand why this is being debated? Are you obese or disabled? If not then be quiet and be thankful that god has blessed you with a body that works correctly for some he has not. God bless and have a great day.
~Sevenlances~
I am fat, im 120kg and yes i hate it i dont know how i got here but i am doing something about it. Being overwheight is not always disability in my opinion because i am able to do anythng i please in the body i am in. Working in the beauty industry makes it harder for me because all girls around me are skinny. I’m in S.A and being fat u are looked at as someone who doesn’t give a tit tat abouth her appearence. Obesity in some cases is a disability bt one should not let ones wheight rule ones life. Do something about it don’t sit and mope.. Funny thing is i landed up here trying to google people who are fat and hate it… Look whos moping nw.
Being overweight is not a disability, it is poor dicipline. Although some cases, like thyroid, a gland located beneath the voice box (larynx) that produces thyroid hormone which helps regulate growth and metabolism, can cause overweight, there are other alternatives to this problem than to be disabled. Instead of collecting disability, gastric bypass surgery would be an alternative to regualte the metabolism. It worked for one of my co-workers who suffered fromt thyroid- leading to diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, but after the surgery, she no longer has those problems. Instead of getting a closer parking space because it is too hard to get in and out of the car and walk a long distance, it should be a goal- to promote a healthier living. Making it an effort to park further away and burn some calories, can really make a difference!
I read your posts for a long time and should tell you that your articles always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
I just want to put my 2 cents out there as I am on BOTH sides of this argument… I am currently 290lbs and I am a dwarf I cannot wash/bath myself I can’t stand on my feet for more than a minute i cannot go to the bathroom without assistance as well ontop of all that I broke my back within the last 2 years just from being overweight and because I am short it is twice as bad for me. But at the end of the day I am still thankful for the abilities I do have rather than focusing on how bad I am disabled…. DON’T waste your life angry with other people because they don’t understand feel compassion for them to help them understand. I hope this shines some light on things for everyone…