Is Being Obese Disabled?

[Newell Steamer]

1st and foremost, I am not sure if this is fake. It could be some good old fashioned shitlord trolling.

http://imgur.com/gallery/HpBF9yq

My son's in a wheelchair so this is a common occurrence for us. Get tickets to a fun event for the kids. Load my son in the van, load his wheelchair, unload his wheelchair upon arrival, unload my son, get him seated in the wheelchair, and finally arrive at the "accessible seating" section only to find this.
I'm sorry, but being obese is not a disability. The ladies blocking my son's view (oh and I'm sure they're SUPER stoked for that front row view of the Harlem Globetrotters /sarcasm) are both rolling around in power chairs that they rented today from the venue.
So in the future, when you're at an event and you see the accessible seating area - just remember that there are probably some kiddos in there who's parents just want to give them the opportunity to experience live events in much the same fashion the kids without special needs can.
Please be considerate and let the smaller kids move toward the front.
[edit #1] Of course I don't know their medical diagnosis. However, note the numbers on the bottom of their power chairs. These were rented the day of the event from the venue. These women didn't come to the park in a chair, which tells me that their "condition" is not one that requires a more permanent solution for mobility.
[edit #2] In most cases, I would simply maneuver my son in front of folks like this as he's much smaller and wouldn't impede anyone's view. In this case though, the accessible seating area was very small and clearly an afterthought at the event. Moving him to the front would have required me to inconvenience/move a lot of folks and just wasn't worth it. The show, used nearly all of the floor space so luckily the action that was blocked by the women in front of him was limited.
[edit #3] Yes, this was at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO and yes we he had a great time regardless! http://imgur.com/gallery/gI2tPdr

Personally, no. I do not consider them to be disabled. They chose to get into that shape and they can get out of it.

Even if these people are disabled (of the non-obesity variety), don't block the kid's view.

 

[KeithTalent]

Mentally or physically?

KT

 

[dave_the_nerd]

You can eat or smoke your way into a lot of things that still qualify as disabled. Once they cut off your gangrenous foot or strap an oxygen tank to your wheel chair after your third heart attack, you're disabled - I don't really think it matters how/why you got there.

That has nothing to do with able bodied people who rent hover-rounds though.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Mentally or physically?

KT

Would someone with a mental disability, but perfectly fine physical capabilities (walking, sitting, etc.), be able to sit in the handicapped section of events and public spaces? I honestly do not know.

 

[Exophase]

Obesity (which is what, BMI 30?) is itself a pretty low bar for most people and won't do much to inhibit the average's person's functionality. But at some point fat will incapacitate you, likely for a while before it kills you.

 

[Brainonska511]

1) We don't know they're medical condition, so it's not really appropriate to judge.
2) Just because the chair was rented from the venue doesn't mean they don't have a mobility issue. They might be okay navigating short distances on foot, but longer distances might be problematic.

 

[waggy]

Would someone with a mental disability, but perfectly fine physical capabilities (walking, sitting, etc.), be able to sit in the handicapped section of events and public spaces? I honestly do not know.

depends on the mental illnes. in most i say no. those sections are for those who have real physical disabilities. being obese is not one.

 

[mvbighead]

Not to sympathize with that type of obese folk, but they could potentially have an underlying disability that negates their ability to exercise and helps contribute to their weight problem.

But no, obesity is not a disability. And in the case of the above, the women should have observed the kiddo and allowed him a better view. That's just being a shit person, IMO.

 

[SKORPI0]

Not sure if this applies in the US of A.... but
Obesity IS a disability, rules highest EU court after 25st Danish childminder was 'sacked for being too fat to perform his job properly'Dec 2014. ^_^

• The European Court of Justice ruled obesity can be classed as a disability
• If a person's weight hinders 'full and effective participation' at work then it can count as a disability, judges today ruled
• Landmark case brought before court by Danish man Karsten Kartoft
• The childminder took action against his employer after he was sacked for not being able to tie up the shoelaces of the children he cared for

​

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

In some cases, yes it can be I suppose...thyroid issues, etc., but I think that can be controlled so you don't get to the extent that those people are. Unless there are other factors that make it so they cannot be active. But in the majority of cases I'd say no, not a disability.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I guess technically, but it's no excuse for being a shithead. If there's a disabled child trying to see a show and you're blocking their access because standing is just so exhausting, maybe you should reexamine your life.

 

[mmntech]

It's a possibility that they have some sort of underlying problems, but odds are they don't. The woman who posted the image says those mobility scooters were rented from the venue. They're taking away seats from those who really need it.

 

[waggy]

It's a possibility that they have some sort of underlying problems, but odds are they don't. The woman who posted the image says those mobility scooters were rented from the venue. They're taking away seats from those who really need it.

I don't care they rented them from the venue. I have rented scooters at the zoo. My knees and hips just can't go that long (no not from being obese!)

but they should have let the kid in front. no excuse for that at all.

 

[OutHouse]

I remember the scooters at the grocery stores being only used by little old ladies and men. Today all i see are fat slobs using them while stuffing the basket full of Cheetos and diet coke. its been real hard for me not to open my mouth and ask them "WTF are you seriously so fucking fat you cant walk, get the fuck out and walk you piece of shit!"

 

[BD231]

Is Being Obese Disabled?

ibtl

 

[Exophase]

Not sure if this applies in the US of A.... but
Obesity IS a disability, rules highest EU court after 25st Danish childminder was 'sacked for being too fat to perform his job properly'Dec 2014. ^_^

If your weight substantially inhibits your employment then I suppose it should make you eligible for disability compensation. But maybe it should only be given in the provision that you're actually doing something to lose weight (and showing progress)

 

[SP33Demon]

It depends on the cause:
1) If the person had a clinical medical issue that causes it, then yes it's a disability.
2) If they were a normal person and ate themselves into obesity, then hell no.

In fact I know someone who has a daughter who is mentally handicapped, and as a result obese. She collects disability for the mental handicap, so in many cases a mental handicap can also be the cause (see #1). They should be able to prove #1 with medical records. If they can't, then they fall into Cause #2 which should get nothing b/c they're already jacking up our premiums for health insurance.

 

[Murloc]

obesity doesn't make you unable to function and work 100%.

In extreme cases, it can, in which case it's technically a disability.

If it's self-induced though, extreme treatment such as gastric bypass will be used, so the disability won't last long.

I guess I would make working on it a requirement for getting benefits, if it's not caused by a medical issue.

 

[TheSlamma]

2) If they were a normal person and ate themselves into obesity, then hell no.

The trend now is people become obese then it causes other disabilities and they get the disability benefits and it happens a LOT.

 

[KeithTalent]

obesity doesn't make you unable to function and work 100%.

In extreme cases, it can, in which case it's technically a disability.

If it's self-induced though, extreme treatment such as gastric bypass will be used, so the disability won't last long.

I guess I would make working on it a requirement for getting benefits, if it's not caused by a medical issue.

KT

 

[Auric]

I remember the scooters at the grocery stores being only used by little old ladies and men. Today all i see are fat slobs using them while stuffing the basket full of Cheetos and diet coke. its been real hard for me not to open my mouth and ask them "WTF are you seriously so fucking fat you cant walk, get the fuck out and walk you piece of shit!"

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=37535617&postcount=46577

 

[waggy]

I remember the scooters at the grocery stores being only used by little old ladies and men. Today all i see are fat slobs using them while stuffing the basket full of Cheetos and diet coke. its been real hard for me not to open my mouth and ask them "WTF are you seriously so fucking fat you cant walk, get the fuck out and walk you piece of shit!"

lol

I have bad hips, knees and back (old age catching up with me. need both hips replaced). i have trouble walking past a mile anymore.

I was having a bad day and used one. I'm 5'6 150ish lbs.

I got flack from a lady who obese because i took the last one heh

 

[Nebor]

Obesity is caused by overeating. Period. Those who disagree, please refer to basic laws of physics.

It shouldn't be a disability, and it shouldn't be acceptable. It should be sharply and regularly shamed as it was for the past 100 years. Disgusting.

 

[Ruptga]

1) We don't know their medical condition, so it's not really appropriate to judge.
2) Just because the chair was rented from the venue doesn't mean they don't have a mobility issue. They might be okay navigating short distances on foot, but longer distances might be problematic.

This is true, it's entirely possible that they have some invisible disability, like spina bifida or ruined joints.

That said, if the only thing wrong with a person is that they can't reach past their belly to their shoes then what they need is to get their shit together, not disability assistance.

 

[piasabird]

It is just as much a disability as alcoholism which is preventable by not drinking alcohol. Same goes for smoking. Just don't smoke. However, you have to eat to live.