Is being fat a disability??

msf74

I really thought I'd find the lack of empathy surprising. In fact, I don't, I totally expect it from this forum at this point.

We keep it classy round these parts.

Like most MFP posts, it's how you read them. There's about one *kitten* per page. The overwhelming consensus is that the OP is a douche.

I do try my best to make sure that one *kitten* per page minimum is always met.

We each must play our part.

The whole world is a stage, and all the men and women merely actors. They have their exits and their entrances, and in his lifetime a man will play many parts, his life separated into seven acts.

jnichel

Yes, if a person arrives at one or more of those conditions, they do have a disability. However, if the reason they got lung cancer was from smoking; lost their legs playing chicken with a train, do we, as a society, owe them the same level of empathy and or assistance that we have for those who are disabled through no fault of their own?

Yes.

That's not even a question. Morally and legally.

We'll have to agree to disagree there. As a former smoker, should I develop lung cancer in the future because of it, I do not want, nor do I think I deserve empathy and assistance from society. I was stupid for smoking in the first place. Stupid shouldn't be rewarded.

Rewarded would mean given a good thing.

Being helped out with cancer - that's so the opposite of a good thing that I'm a little baffled.

Look at it this way.....you help me with my lung cancer, the lung cancer that I got because I made a stupid decision in my teens; a stupid decision that kept making for 20+ years, because you're a good person. However, in doing this, you may be taking resources and/or time away from another person suffering from a cancer that they got not from making a stupid decision, but because sometimes bad things happen to people. In my view, it is that person who deserves your time and effort, not me. "Reward" might not be the best word to use there, but I hope the above conveys what I was getting at.

dbanks80

At 560 lbs. and being home bound for over 2 years and unable to walk from one room to other without sitting on a rolling computer chair to get to the bathroom and kitchen and at my lowest point sitting in a chair with a loaded handgun in my mouth with the hammer back begging and pleading (but no one was in the room cause I was all alone) to give me the strength to end my pain I can honestly say being fat is debilitating, certainly it is all about choice at any point before I got into that state I was a contributing member of society and paid my taxes so when I was at my lowest no matter how I got there, I needed assistance to help get me out so when I finally had enough and wanted that help, I am Damn sure glad the people on the other end were more sympathetic to my position than the mind set you have (not knocking you in particular just people in general that think this way).

I had over 300 pounds to lose, was willing to give in to the process, but needed the help to get there. So my insurance backed me up and got me the things needed to atleast attempt to dig myself out of the hole that I put myself in.. Medical doctors to address my health issues, mental therapist to address my depression and eating disorders, physical therapy to help be exercise to build up my strength to be able to walk again and continue to improve my strength, a dietician to show me what I had been doing and to point me in the right direction to regain my relationship with all foods, etc, etc this list goes on and on. Had I not been afforded those things based on the diagnosis of being disabled at that time I would not have been offered the help and more than likely at the rate I was going would have been dead by now, either by my own hand or do to complication due to my severe morbid obesity. Sometimes it isn't as easy as just calling Bullcrap and saying suck it up buttercup, I am living proof if given the assistance when I was disabled that one can totally change there lives and become productive members of society again and in my opinion that is what it was intended for in the first place not a means to go on and live out your days on it..... Just my 2 cents...

You Rock!!! :drinker: :drinker: :drinker:

pamelas9

My thoughts are why did you feel the need to post this?


And that your view on depression is ignorant.

This! I am morbidly obese, and I work *now*, but getting a job was tough, because they didn't think I'd be able to keep up with the fast pace.. I got turned down on jobs that I was perfectly qualified for.. again and again.

I have a relative who got on disability because of his obesity (no underlying medical conditions) just out of high school. As a taxpayer it makes me a little upset, because now he has absolutely no reason to ever change his ways. Because he was so young and had no underlying medical condition I really feel being granted disability should have been conditional on bi-weekly therapy, a nutritionist, quarterly check ups and possibly even physical therapy.

Mostly though I'm sad for him, because he has now missed a good chunk of his 20's sitting around watching tv and playing on the computer. He doesn't go out, he won't meet real people, it's awful for him. And his mother is an enabler. I was obese, but I got out and had fun in my 20s. He is obviously depressed but if he isn't ready to do something about it, what can we really do?

jnichel

Imma side with you. If a person is fat because of a medical condition, then the medical condition is the disability. If a person is fat because they sit around all day, watching TV and eating blocks of cheese dipped in gravy, well they're just fat and should stop using the scooters at Wal-Mart.

I agree with this.

Depression, however, is a serious mental disability.

Never being depressed in a manner that would be described medically (I mean I was depressed when my dog died, or when LSU lost the BCS title game to 'Bama), I can't comment one way or the other on that. I have no understanding of it, no frame of reference.

UsedToBeHusky

My thoughts are why did you feel the need to post this?


And that your view on depression is ignorant.

This! I am morbidly obese, and I work *now*, but getting a job was tough, because they didn't think I'd be able to keep up with the fast pace.. I got turned down on jobs that I was perfectly qualified for.. again and again.

I have a relative who got on disability because of his obesity (no underlying medical conditions) just out of high school. As a taxpayer it makes me a little upset, because now he has absolutely no reason to ever change his ways. Because he was so young and had no underlying medical condition I really feel being granted disability should have been conditional on bi-weekly therapy, a nutritionist, quarterly check ups and possibly even physical therapy.

Mostly though I'm sad for him, because he has now missed a good chunk of his 20's sitting around watching tv and playing on the computer. He doesn't go out, he won't meet real people, it's awful for him. And his mother is an enabler. I was obese, but I got out and had fun in my 20s. He is obviously depressed but if he isn't ready to do something about it, what can we really do?

Sadly, it's the belief of many people that the only thing that can be done is to shame him into submission.

I know, makes sense right? /sarcasm

_HeartsOnFire_

Wow OP. I think I figured out why you are so angry. Took a look at your diary and it's scary. 900, 800, 600 cal days? WHOA. Maybe you might consider that keeping your body properly fueled isn't only important to your physical health, but your mental well being too.

SonicDeathMonkey80

Yes, if a person arrives at one or more of those conditions, they do have a disability. However, if the reason they got lung cancer was from smoking; lost their legs playing chicken with a train, do we, as a society, owe them the same level of empathy and or assistance that we have for those who are disabled through no fault of their own?

Yes.

That's not even a question. Morally and legally.

We'll have to agree to disagree there. As a former smoker, should I develop lung cancer in the future because of it, I do not want, nor do I think I deserve empathy and assistance from society. I was stupid for smoking in the first place. Stupid shouldn't be rewarded.

Rewarded would mean given a good thing.

Being helped out with cancer - that's so the opposite of a good thing that I'm a little baffled.

Agreed. While I do get a chuckle from reading "Darwin Awards," I don't really think people deserve to be maimed, killed, disfigured, etc by stupid choices. We've all done something dumb either once or for a period of time. Some of the lucky ones who "got away with it" seem to have a duty to *kitten* on those who had to pay the real consequences.

vim_n_vigor

Yes, if a person arrives at one or more of those conditions, they do have a disability. However, if the reason they got lung cancer was from smoking; lost their legs playing chicken with a train, do we, as a society, owe them the same level of empathy and or assistance that we have for those who are disabled through no fault of their own?

Yes.

That's not even a question. Morally and legally.

We'll have to agree to disagree there. As a former smoker, should I develop lung cancer in the future because of it, I do not want, nor do I think I deserve empathy and assistance from society. I was stupid for smoking in the first place. Stupid shouldn't be rewarded.

So, I guess you will be paying out of pocket for all medical expenses, not using insurance, medicaid or medicare, and if it is bad enough that you can no longer work, instead of taking disability, you plan on living on the streets because it was all your fault for smoking? I doubt it.

dolliesdaughter

Imma side with you. If a person is fat because of a medical condition, then the medical condition is the disability. If a person is fat because they sit around all day, watching TV and eating blocks of cheese dipped in gravy, well they're just fat and should stop using the scooters at Wal-Mart.

I agree.

UsedToBeHusky

Yes, if a person arrives at one or more of those conditions, they do have a disability. However, if the reason they got lung cancer was from smoking; lost their legs playing chicken with a train, do we, as a society, owe them the same level of empathy and or assistance that we have for those who are disabled through no fault of their own?

Yes.

That's not even a question. Morally and legally.

We'll have to agree to disagree there. As a former smoker, should I develop lung cancer in the future because of it, I do not want, nor do I think I deserve empathy and assistance from society. I was stupid for smoking in the first place. Stupid shouldn't be rewarded.

Rewarded would mean given a good thing.

Being helped out with cancer - that's so the opposite of a good thing that I'm a little baffled.

Look at it this way.....you help me with my lung cancer, the lung cancer that I got because I made a stupid decision in my teens; a stupid decision that kept making for 20+ years, because you're a good person. However, in doing this, you may be taking resources and/or time away from another person suffering from a cancer that they got not from making a stupid decision, but because sometimes bad things happen to people. In my view, it is that person who deserves your time and effort, not me. "Reward" might not be the best word to use there, but I hope the above conveys what I was getting at.

Humanity is a personal thing. It's about personal choices, not the choices of another. If you get lung cancer and someone offers you aid, it's because they are a decent human being, and not because you deserved to be treated with decency.

hbrittingham

After reading through this thread, anyone can come to two conclusions:

- People who have never been morbidly obese or depressed are choosing to be ignorant and are telling the people who are morbidly obese/depressed that they should just snap out of it.

- People who are/were morbidly obese or depressed know what it is like and say that it is disabling.

People need to learn how to ahve open minds and imagine that it is to be in other people's shoes.

I've never been morbidly obese and have never been depressed, but I have both empathy and sympathy, so I can feel for people who have been through both. I can't imagine anyone with either condition is joyfully accepting that all the pain they are going through is something they endure just so they can get disability or a handicapped placard.

_HeartsOnFire_

jnichel

Yes, if a person arrives at one or more of those conditions, they do have a disability. However, if the reason they got lung cancer was from smoking; lost their legs playing chicken with a train, do we, as a society, owe them the same level of empathy and or assistance that we have for those who are disabled through no fault of their own?

Yes.

That's not even a question. Morally and legally.

We'll have to agree to disagree there. As a former smoker, should I develop lung cancer in the future because of it, I do not want, nor do I think I deserve empathy and assistance from society. I was stupid for smoking in the first place. Stupid shouldn't be rewarded.

So, I guess you will be paying out of pocket for all medical expenses, not using insurance, medicaid or medicare, and if it is bad enough that you can no longer work, instead of taking disability, you plan on living on the streets because it was all your fault for smoking? I doubt it.

Why would I not use my insurance? I paid for it. In fact, I paid more for it because I was a smoker. Don't have medicaid or medicare (even though I help pay for those), so I can't use it. If it was to the point that I couldn't work, that would also mean I'm not long for this world, so living on the streets or not wouldn't be an issue. I believe in being responsible for my actions and don't believe in burdening society and/or my family for my poor choices. Your doubting my conviction is irrelevant.

_HeartsOnFire_

sassyjae21

just randomly looked at your UN and became baffled. I'm listening to a song right now called "hearts on fire"

Where did OP go?

Salty_Sauce

I think aside from any underlying legitimate physical or mental conditions, being fat is not so much a disability as it is a result of being dishonest with yourself and your choices. At least it was in my case........but not anymore :-)

jnichel

Humanity is a personal thing. It's about personal choices, not the choices of another. If you get lung cancer and someone offers you aid, it's because they are a decent human being, and not because you deserved to be treated with decency.

Yes, but my point is, in my view, there are others who do deserve that aid and empathy. There's not a surplus of assistance in the world today, and it should go to the woman who got breast cancer for no other reason than she's a woman and has boobs, before it goes to someone like me who made a conscience choice to do something stupid.

_KitKat_

In........

Now to go read.......

getfitnowdee

I think that being fat can be a "side effect" of a disability. Some disabled people aren't able to be active. Some disabled people are very poor and can't afford to purchase the healthier foods. Yes, the could probably eat less and lose weight, but looking at them and making the assumption that they are obese or fat because they are lazy is wrong in my opinion. Some disabilities are invisible on the outside. That doesn't make that person any less disabled. Just because the girl with what appeared to be CP used crutches didn't make her any more disabled than that fat person who was already using the riding cart. Her disability was just more apparent. Maybe the fat person on the cart had COPD or was in heart failure and on steroids. You can't know, but you judge because they are fat.

I so agree with all you said here.......I have lost 100 lbs and no I never felt I was disabled ,but I know others that are obese and just cant do anything. They are so depressed and one thing leads to another....please don't judge people by looks or body size...I was the fat girl...

anissa333

I really dont have anything to say....I said I understand weight with medical issues...yet I am still getting bashed...

I guess I rather not spend my friday being called an *kitten*, a douche and my favorite....a sociopath....

ELMunque

I was never morbidly obese, but I teetered on the line of overweight and obese for years after a very abusive relationship which caused some depression, I was skinny all my life until depression. I brought myself back (with the help of an amazing victims counselor) but I was still fat after I got my head right. I lost some weight, then I started getting sick and was constantly in pain. I have a condition where my insides (damn near all of them) prolapsed, I had surgery, got it fixed and was able to work out again (after I had gained all the weight back) started losing weight and it happened again, this happened three times. Now I can't squat, jump, do sit ups or anything else that will help gravity out for the rest of my life. I can't lift anything over 30lbs from hip height and nothing over 10lbs from the floor. Ever. for the rest of my life.

You do get to the point where you wonder if all the trying is worth it, and some give up. Fortunately I didn't.

I don't think that obesity is a disability. I do think that help should be readily available to those who need it to get their lives back on track though.

I have a disabled daughter, I never compared myself to her when I was fat/obese. But it's different for everyone, I have limits and I work around them because I can, some people need help to getting to where they even believe that they can.

wheird

I really dont have anything to say....I said I understand weight with medical issues...yet I am still getting bashed...

I guess I rather not spend my friday being called an *kitten*, a douche and my favorite....a sociopath....

You really need to consider your opinions more deeply. When you look at things only from the surface, you are being foolish. Sometimes it happens, and those are the times that you need to eat crow.

vim_n_vigor

Yes, if a person arrives at one or more of those conditions, they do have a disability. However, if the reason they got lung cancer was from smoking; lost their legs playing chicken with a train, do we, as a society, owe them the same level of empathy and or assistance that we have for those who are disabled through no fault of their own?

Yes.

That's not even a question. Morally and legally.

We'll have to agree to disagree there. As a former smoker, should I develop lung cancer in the future because of it, I do not want, nor do I think I deserve empathy and assistance from society. I was stupid for smoking in the first place. Stupid shouldn't be rewarded.

So, I guess you will be paying out of pocket for all medical expenses, not using insurance, medicaid or medicare, and if it is bad enough that you can no longer work, instead of taking disability, you plan on living on the streets because it was all your fault for smoking? I doubt it.

Why would I not use my insurance? I paid for it. In fact, I paid more for it because I was a smoker. Don't have medicaid or medicare (even though I help pay for those), so I can't use it. If it was to the point that I couldn't work, that would also mean I'm not long for this world, so living on the streets or not wouldn't be an issue. I believe in being responsible for my actions and don't believe in burdening society and/or my family for my poor choices. Your doubting my conviction is irrelevant.

It isn't doubting your conviction, though I would add that I find it to be a bit selfish.

_HeartsOnFire_

I really dont have anything to say....I said I understand weight with medical issues...yet I am still getting bashed...

I guess I rather not spend my friday being called an *kitten*, a douche and my favorite....a sociopath....

You also have yet to comment about your ridiculous depression statement...which leads me to further believe, that you didn't consider it or even think about it before you said it.

My advice would be to start thinking before you speak. Try to think of all the possible situations that you can before opening your mouth, research, talk to people, try to understand. Learn what empathy and compassion are before doling out your judgments on people. Try to look at things from their eyes. Or, if you cannot do that and you do not understand something, just don't speak about it.

yopeeps025

I can see where some have a hard time maneuvering being Obese (as I did at almost 400lbs), but I don't see it as being a reason to go get yourself a handicap placard. I had to make myself get out and walk. and after a while I was just fine and dandy!!! So it is a disability only if you allow yourself to give into it...

That the thing though for you it was not a diability. For some it is very hard. I was never that high in weight 265 was my top but I remember days of it being hard to tie my shoes( hold my breath to do so). You all have changed my views and I do think it should be a disability now. .

nancy10272004

THEN the "victim" that sits next to me and has already had a lap band and lost some weight and gained some of it back....brought up depression and that making you eat and you cant help it....sorry I am calling bull on this one.....no quit being a victim and get off your *kitten* and do something!!!

Clearly you have never struggled with clinical depression, which can be a disability, and its side effects.

_HeartsOnFire_

I really dont have anything to say....I said I understand weight with medical issues...yet I am still getting bashed...

I guess I rather not spend my friday being called an *kitten*, a douche and my favorite....a sociopath....

You really need to consider your opinions more deeply. When you look at things only from the surface, you are being foolish. Sometimes it happens, and those are the times that you need to eat crow.

QFT.

This is very well said.

OP people weren't bashing you as much as you think. They are just trying to get you to open your eyes that there are things you do not understand and maybe you should try to do so before making rash judgments about people.

anissa333

My granddaughter was born without a rectum..so she was rushed to egleston for emergency surgery. Her condition has a name and luckily she had the lightest case of it because all her organs were where they needed to be and they only had to "create" her rectum...as my daughter was filling out paperwork there was a disability form included when she asked why the dr explained because she had this conditioni, she was eligible...even though she had the lightest form. My daughter asked if she would have any issues as she got older and the Dr said no after this surgery she will be fine. My daughter said well then she doesnt need to be on disability.....now at 3 yrs old Brylie is fine and you cant even tell she was born without it, but if my daughter wanted to, she could be getting a check now.....I fully agree that every situation needs to be looked at alone, but I also believe people are too quick to take the easy way out....

anissa333

I should have said the depression thing differently,BUT I do stand behind my words about this person. I have sat next to her for 14 yrs and I know that she had to go through counseling and was not clinically depressed(this came from her). For HER, it is an excuse...