I think personal responsibility has to come in at some point ~ if you take drugs and can't hold a job because you are always addled, then would we still say, "It's a disability, who cares how it came about?" I actually am insulted with such a comparison to peanut allergy. My daughter didn't give herself or cause her own PA. Behaviorally based disabilities are differnt. This doesn't mean I have no compassion for them, by the way. (Going to go duck now... [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] )

Very timely article I just found.
Youth obesity blamed for rise in disability
Study: Rates up sharply in last two decadesThe Associated Press
Updated: 1:12 p.m. ET Jan. 08, 2004WASHINGTON - Disability rates rose sharply in the last two decades among those under 60, and obesity appears to be the main reason, according to a study released Thursday.
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The Rand Corp. study

Quote:Originally posted by Sandra Y:
[b]Why would the cause of the medical condition even be a consideration when deciding whether a person is disabled. Who cares what caused it? [/b]
Yabbut, what about when there is NO medical condition present? And by medical, I mean physical problem with the body.
Let me open another can of worms here by bringing in the whole psychological conditions that may be attributable to unhealthy lifestyle (low self-esteem, addictive nature,...). Hey! Addiction! I like the comparisons made with drug-use, how about smoking? Drinking and driving?
If I'm a smoker, does that mean I'm disabled becuase I can't walk up a flight of stairs, or can't eat my food properly cause my mouth has sores?
Shall we argue now that psychological conditions are medical conditions (I'm not saying they're not --now the one ducking for cover [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/biggrin.gif[/img]). Definitions, definitions, definitions...

StaceyK and Arachide,you dont have to duck from me, I agree completely [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by arachide:
[b] If I'm a smoker, does that mean I'm disabled becuase I can't walk up a flight of stairs, or can't eat my food properly cause my mouth has sores?
[/b]
In my opinion, you would be a smoker by choice. You could choose to stop smoking with or without help. But perhaps you just like to smoke. It's still your decision.
A smoker given the title of disabled??? Heck no. Not in my opinion.

The only thing that I can think of regarding obesity is if the person had some sort of thyroid issue that could not be controlled.
Then I would considered it a disability.

I completely agree with Sandra Y. This has really struck a chord with me, too. While obesity and pa clearly are different in that the pa person has no control whatsoever over their affliction; I still think that obese people deserve all of the compassion we can offer. Yes, in some cases that includes accomodations.
I don't think anyone truly wants to be overweight. There are certainly psychological and even psychiatric issues involved for many morbidly obese people, I would think.
Each to his/her own, I guess. But I think I live in a glass house, too.
Miriam

momma2boys,
Interesting article. Pretty much like the domino effect.
The problem I see is that these people are basically making poor decisions when it comes to food eating habits. Then issues just fall into place after that.
People just need to start taking responsibility for themselves and stop blaming others for their problems. For example, being able to eat at McDonalds because it's cheaper. Cheaper might be true in some instances but in the most part it's BS. Just like the man who tried to sue McD's because he was having health issues due to his obsesity from eating so much fast food!!! I mean c'mon!!

I think that obesity is not a disability unless there really is medical condition like a thiroid problem, that is obviously uncontrollable. I keep thinking of the Simpsons episode where Homer gains weight so that he can work from home.
Andrea