Obesity misunderstood

Fri., Jan. 9, 2015

Regarding “Obesity shouldn’t be protected by ADA (Jan. 2)”: A few points of fact were lost in the article.

First and foremost, the Americans with Disabilities Act covers medical diseases. Obesity is a disease not always limited to personal choices. Obesity follows the etiology of many other medical diseases. Cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, Type 2 diabetes and depression, to name a few, can result from unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Empirical research supports the premise that obesity can have a genetic link and thus be co-morbid and/or caused by other diseases. I suffer from obesity secondary to and co-morbid with bipolar disorder, and the side effects of the psychiatric medication that I must take in order to care for myself, be gainfully employed and be a productive member of society. Can I get a break?

Brooklyn Brown-Northrup

Spokane Valley

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