Do you think obese/overweight people should get a disability parking permit because of their weight?

My friend says NO because she feels obese people need to exercise and should park their car as FAR AWAY as possible, she feels "the ONLY people who should get disabled parking permits are people in wheelchairs or old people" <<her exact words. I say yes... because weight gain can be due to a mental illness, food addiction, metabolic disorder and obese people commonly have health problems as a result of being overweight... what do you think? Should overweight people be given a disability parking permit because of their weight?

No, I don't think so. If they have a disability in addition to being overweight or due to being overweight then yes, of course. However getting granted a disability parking plate because of lack of exercise is just stupid. If anything they should park furthest away and get exercise. I myself have serious back injury and could easily qualify for one but I park at the furthest parking spot usually-weather permitting because exercise never killed anyone. In fact my doctor has asked me if I wanted one and I said no-because my feet still work fine!!

That's a good question. I have worked in the disability field and surely there are people who are morbidly obese due to the medical conditions you've described. However, it is up to that person's physician to determine eligibility for a disability placard or license plate.

Yes in some cases they should. But if it's not a medical problem they won't be approved for one anyway.

Most over weight people are over weight due to a disability i.e. knee problems and back problems.
I do not think they are "handi-cap" but they do have a hard time walking and need to up front spaces.

I agree..with your friend. Just because someone is overweight doesn't mean they are mentally disabled. They have the mental capability to work themselves out..it's not like theres a mental disease where their brain insists they eat cheeseburgers constantly. They do NOT deserve a parking permit, because it only encourages them to not get excersize.

I don't think obese people should get a handicap sticker on their car just because they are obese, however, if they have an actual disability in addition to their obesity then I think it's only fair that they get one just like all those normal sized disabled people.

I'll agree with you on that 1st part, some people become overweight due to something completely different...

Depending on their size they should be able too 400 lbs+ because their legs and knees cannot handle the weight.

My cousin is in a wheel chair because her knees gave out.

: (

Heck yes! I am a fat as a freaking cow and I can't barely get out of my car. Let alone walk all the way to the store from the end of the parking lot. Plus those special plates are cool and helps me get chicks. :)

Nope. I think we should give them free passes to the gym, though.

hell no, i like how carlos mencia says it they should park even farther away to exercise that much more (ok i'm probably going to hell for that 1)

My sister is in a wheelchair and if i saw some fat person getting a handicap parking place rather than my sister I would be pissed! So no I don't think so

Hi

If the obesity is causing medical problems that limit them from walking short distances, yes the should. If not then that is basically discrimination.

What if you changed the scenario of your question just a bit...

Can someone who is handicapped park in one of the regular spaces because it really wasn't their choice to be handicapped to begin with?

What would answer?

Discrimination is WRONG.

If they are obese and have no other health problems so to speak, (which is usually not the case), then no they should not.

To be approved for a handicap plac-card (hangs from mirror) you dr must fill out a for with medical diagnoses and other pertinent information. There is a certain criteria that must be met before you can get handicap parking.

* Wow, I am truly amazed at the amout of people who are saying no because someone it fat. Has anyone heard the phrase "Never judge a book by it's cover"?

No one likes it when people are judgemental to us, even on YA, but people that is just exactly what you are doing.

I hope one day you will not be "pre-judged".

It is sad.

** Oh, and by the way, NO, I am not a large person. This opinion comes from someone who is basicall average in size

I'm overweight and I agree with your friend No they should not. I got fat cuz I choosed to eat whatever I wanted.Why should I get special things becuz I'm fat, that's nobody fault but my own.Yes it is true that these problems do rise becuz people are over weight, but they wouldn't have these problems if they weren't FAT. And if by chance they did start doing that then what would they consider the guideline for getting this permit. Anyone from a weight of 200lbs and over. There are some people who are short and weigh under 200 lbs, but yet they are still consider overweight but yet they wouldn't fit in the guidelines, so now would that be fair. The only people who should receive the special parking permits are old people, wheelchairs and people who have losted a limb such as a leg, but can walk without a wheelchair, maybe with a cane or an artifical leg.