Should being obese be considered a handicap?

[fieldhousekrayzie21]

I know of people who have obtained handicap parking passes and received special treatment because they are obese. Is this fair?

[The Scribe]

It's not a handicap.

[3wishes]

I consider it a handicap only if they have pre-existing conditions, such as an out of control thyroid or some other disease that makes gaining weight easy to do.

[MrsFairFan]

I consider it a handicap only if they have pre-existing conditions, such as an out of control thyroid or some other disease that makes gaining weight easy to do.

 

I agree. Only if its a medical condition that is non treatable or hard to control.

[OhYeaYouThink]

I consider it a handicap only if they have pre-existing conditions, such as an out of control thyroid or some other disease that makes gaining weight easy to do.

 

Thank you. It offends me when people say "If you're fat, eat less and work out and everything will be fine", because that isn't always the case. My parents both have thryoid issues, and have struggled with their weight [my dad only recently], and it makes me so angry when people talk about how lazy and etc. fat people are that they put themselves in their position. While true, for many, it's def. not for all.

 

That being said, my parents have never considered being bigger a handicap? I know they never would. And they constantly work at losing the weight to become healthier and i'm very proud of them for that.

[Cameraman]

NO NO NO NO! If there isn't a pre-existing condition as mentioned earlier, then no way it's a disability.

[nkuclubbaseball19]

Negative ghostrider.

[Slemac90]

YES - Give me one of the passes. I have a pre existing condition. I can't keep food out of my mouth!

 

I'M JOKING - I really do have a problem with eating too much, not any other medical issue. I feel for the individuals who have medical conditions that make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.

[FootballisKing]

I am fat and my only handicap is me! I will lose the weight.

[bigblueinsanity]

Wow..Poll Vote 16-0.

[woodsrider]

Let me ask this, how many obese people truly have a medical condition that causes it? And how many of those people can't control it with diet, exercise, and maybe some medication?

[OhYeaYouThink]

Let me ask this, how many obese people truly have a medical condition that causes it? And how many of those people can't control it with diet, exercise, and maybe some medication?

 

 

I can tell you that two are living in my household. As far as beyond that, don't know. My family has thyroid, among other issues, out the wazoo.

[Clyde]

I know of people who have obtained handicap parking passes and received special treatment because they are obese. Is this fair?

 

If we are talking about for the specific purpose of handicap parking passes then I think they're fine. The arguments put forth so far seem to be that they should not because the condition is self-inflicted.

 

So, if you think that way, you also would deny a handicap parking space to a guy who lost his leg in a car crash in which he was driving while drunk.

 

You would deny a pass to someone who suffered a severe back injury doing some type of extreme sport.

 

The list can go on and on about injuries that are caused by people's own actions.

 

Are you going to deny these people as well?

 

Lastly, how does that obese person having a parking pass hurt you?

[PurpleHaze]

Depends. If they are big with no condition other than that...no. If the weight is causing them not to breathe well or a bad heart, etc then yes.

 

If a parking pass is going to be handed out so freely however, then there needs to be more spaces. It is so hard to find a van space for a ramp as it is. People will park anywhere and not consider that someone might need a place for a ramp. I hate it when we have to take up two parking spaces in either a marked spot or regular spot just for the ramp. We both feel horrible about it, but, there is nothing else you can do.

[Clyde]

Depends. If they are big with no condition other than that...no. If the weight is causing them not to breathe well or a bad heart, etc then yes.

 

If a parking pass is going to be handed out so freely however, then there needs to be more spaces. It is so hard to find a van space for a ramp as it is. People will park anywhere and not consider that someone might need a place for a ramp. I hate it when we have to take up two parking spaces in either a marked spot or regular spot just for the ramp. We both feel horrible about it, but, there is nothing else you can do.

 

I think we need to worry less about who is getting these passes and concentrate more on the jackballs that park there out of sheer laziness.