Obesity misunderstood
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