Words Do Hurt

It is long overdue for these words to be spoken. Overweight, fat, obese people are often treated with disdain and disgust. Even though obesity has been named a disease, and is worthy of compassion and understanding, those of us whose affliction is more visible than some others are frequently considered to be lazy, stupid, dirty, undisciplined and generally worthless. I personally am very easily angered by the person in the supermarket or department store who sees an overweight person, and in their eyes display a look that says loud and clear, Why don't you do something about yourself?

Being overweight has nothing to do with intelligence. Many overweight people who have not fit into society very well are often overachievers in other areas in order to compensate. As I have related, I have had a problem with food most of my life. My story is not unique; we often go to great lengths to prove our worthiness.

Being overweight has nothing to do with cleanliness. We are aware that hygiene is more of a problem because of our extra pounds and often go to greater efforts to ensure we do not carry odors around us than some average-sized people do.

We certainly are not lazy! Many people imagine that obese people sit around watching TV and eating chips. To the contrary! If you are an average size and have never carried a lot of extra weight, imagine that someone straps another person weighing the same as you onto your back. You are required to carry this person with you everyday, all day, in every activity. When you walk through the grocery store, he is there; when you go to a movie and try to fit into a seat, he is there; when you climb stairs, you are not lifting 120 pounds with each step but rather 240 pounds per step.

Think about it: You are an average person. You get married, have a family, go to work every day, with as much regularity as possible. You are active in your child's school activities, help out in the school play; you attend church every Sunday, teach a Sunday school class and sing in the choir. You go home every evening make dinner, bathe the children, help them with their homework, clean house, wash a load of clothes, and do all the other thousands of things that need to be done for your family.

How much extra effort do you suppose the obese person has to expend to do the same activities as the thin person?

Does twice as much sound reasonable?

Consider that while we have a problem which is more obvious than other people who battle something - cigarettes, alcohol or drug abuse, these tend to be more subtle and are generally more accepted by society.

Why, I ask? In my opinion, obesity should be recognized as a handicap just as is being blind or deaf.

You may still argue that an obese person caused the problem for himself and therefore deserves no special privileges. How about the person who was driving under the influence and wrecked his car, hurt himself so badly that he can no longer walk? Is he exempt? What about the alcoholic who receives monthly government financial support because he chooses to continue to drink?

In my opinion, this is unfair to the working American public, and an unwise use of our tax money, but that is another issue. Do we tell these people they are not welcome on a public beach because when we look at their physical handicap, we are offended? We do not look on these people with disdain and scorn: We open doors for them, move aside in stores, and assist them in any way we can. Why not the obese man or woman, who is having a difficult time getting around in the department store?

I have been at the beach in my heaviest state and had young adults pass by and make hurtful comments, under their breath, but just loud enough so they were sure I heard. Do people like this think we are deaf or have no feelings?

Life in general is at least twice as hard for the obese person as it is for most of the rest of society, and yet, for the most part, we get no respect. I know those jerks at the beach never once thought about the fact that it was quite an effort for me to hike down to the beach and that it takes a lot of courage to do that.

I also think that we work very hard in our battle with food and we are achieving great successes in our lives.