Beyond Dieting
Rhonda Zabrodski, BSW, RSW
c/0 101
83 Deerpoint Rd SE
Calgary, Alberta T2J 6W5
Phone: (403) 271-1311 or (403) 265-4980
Fax: (403) 225-1276
Email: rzabrodsk@acs.ucalgary.ca
Weekly "psycho-educational group" focusing on diet education,
self-esteem and body image, and relationship with food. Not a
diet or weight loss group. Pre-screening interviews.
Helena Spring
Phone: (416) 861-0217
Helena Spring, R.N., of Canada Wyde offers phone counseling for
people of size.
Hugs International, Inc.
Linda Omichinsky, RD
Box 102 A, RR #3
Portage La Prairie Manitoba R1N 3A3
Phone: (204) 428-3432
Workshops based on Omichinsky's book *You Count, Calories Don't*.
Stop Dieting, Inc
Janet Polivy, Ph.D.
Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychology
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Work Phone: (416) 968-3942
Fax: (905) 569-4326
Anti-diet workshops based on Polivy's research as a scientist
studying obesity, dieting, and health.
YOU*NIQUE
620 Jarvis Street
Suite 1023
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2R8
Phone: (416) 964-0292 or (800) 663-9102 (toll free in Canada & U.S.)
Email: kaca.henley@ablelink.org or khenley@interlog.com
Infobot: younique@ablelink.org (email to get information packet)
Self-acceptance and self-esteem seminars for large women explore
ways in which fat women are marginalized and stigmatized and
ways to combat the stigma and rebuild self-esteem.
Sizeable Encounters Ltd. Elaine Shusterman 1235 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario Phone: (416) 657-2128 and (905) 731-1366 Email: elaine@sizeableencounters.ca Web: http://www.sizeableencounters.ca Dating service for above-average sized singles and their admirers. $325 for 6 months, $499 for 1 year. $100 up front, balance upon agreement to an introduction. Check for specials. Low risk. No blind dates.
SECTION B: FAQ about resources for big folks in New Zealand
B1) Where can I get clothes for large folks?
Farmers Department store that carries large size men's clothing -- some up to size 6XL. Fashion Factory PO Box 7216 Christchurch Phone: (03) 379-7323 Fax: (03) 379-7383 House of Heather 101 First Avenue Tauranga Phone: (07) 578-3376 Fax: (07) 578-3360 Rubens Collection Petal Accents Tauranga Airport Tauranga Phone: (07) 575-9404 Fax: (07) 575-9404 Raphaels Corporation Ltd PO Box 21635 Henderson Auckland Phone: 0800 886 886 Fax: 0800 887 887
SECTION C: FAQ about resources for big folks in the U.K.
c1) What about recreation-type things for big folks?
Planet Big Girl PO Box 4110 London SE15 4LR Phone: 0171 639 0914 or 0171 635 7071 Nightclub in London that caters to large folks and their admirers. They are in the basement of Equinox (in Leicester Square), and have events on the first Thursday of each month (and possibly other days as well).
c2) Where can I get anti-diet cards?
Diet Breakers Church Cottage Barford St Michael Banbury Oxon OX15 0UA Phone: 0181 693 7070 Fax: 0181 693 7177 Diet Breakers puts out a couple of anti-diet postcards illustrated by Jacky Fleming. They have pictures of a woman engaged in anti-diet behavior (throwing out her diet book, seeing through the con of diet books), and statistics about dieting in the UK.
D3) What other services are available for large folks?
88 - Big in Pictures 109 Wareham Road Corfe Mullen Wimbourne, Dorset BH21 3JZ Phone: 01860 356149 Makeover photography for large ladies, by larger ladies; studio quality, home visits. Angela Sandler AMIFC Phone 020 8866 3044 Appearance specialist -- personal & corporate image consultant. Offers "Large is lovely" workshops. Chubby Companions 21 Ulundi Street Radcliffe, Greater Manchester M26 3AN Phone: 0161 724 6791 Dating service. Competitive rates, confidentiality. Lancashire area. Unlimited introductions. Le Grande Weekend Marlene and Kyrsia 38 Westbury Lodge Close Pinner, Middlesex, HA5 3FG Luxury weekends for large ladies. Plump Partners Dating Agency Sandy Millington 8 Sealand Avenue Holywell Clwyd CH8 7BU Phone: 01352 715909 National Dating agency for those who are plump or prefer a plump partner. Tops PO Box 533 London SW6 2RQ Top-heavy ladies write about bust problems. Practical hints/advice and free newsletter.
SECTION D: FAQ about resources for big folks in the U.S.
d1) What airlines treat fat people well?
This section is a compilation of comments made by various people on s.s.f-a or a.s.b-f about various airlines. It's by no means exhaustive. Check out the August 1995 issue of Consumer Reports, which compares airline seat widths on various aircraft.
With regard to beds in particular, and furniture in general, you may want to consider a bed (or box springs or whatnot) guaranteed for several years, so that if it doesn't hold up, you can have it replaced cheaply.
The Chunkendale dancers are large guys who parody the Chippendales dancers. Last I heard, Chippendales was suing for trademark infringement.
Club 24 (apparently affiliated with Dimensions magazine) sponsers cruises for large women and their male partners. You can reach them at fatmodelca@aol.com or rbwf67d@prodigy.com.
In the meantime, here's what some big folks found when they visited various theme parks. You're probably not shaped exactly the same as the people whose opinions are gathered here. And, depending on how your weight is distributed and how the ride is set up, you may fit on rides that people who weigh less than you don't fit on. So don't take any of this as gospel.
Disneyland is very accommodating to people with physical limitations and will assist people in getting on and off the rides. They have wheelchairs available for a small deposit.
For more about Walt Disney theme parks, see below.
Another person warns that many of the rides, with the exception of the log flume and the California River Country Raft Ride, are not size friendly, including the three major roller coasters. One of the roller coasters (Montezuma's Revenge?) may be bad for people with back or neck problems. ("starts on a short section of track, catapults you forward, through a loop to a near vertical incline at which you fall and reverse the process passing through the start station and going to another near vertical incline and you then fall back forward and stop in the station") The fried chicken dinner at the restaurant is recommended.
The following description of Disney parks is contributed by barb@nebula.ispace.com (note: this email address no longer works):
Because of the questions regarding rides at Walt Disney World, I called and spoke with a great woman who helped me go through each of the parks and "size up" (so to speak!) the rides at all three Disney Parks. Below is the compilation of what I can offer as far as info re: descriptions of rides and shows goes. Know, too,that *your* judgement is the ultimate guide. I merely offer suggestions.
Legend:
ts = theatre seats
bs = bench seats
lb = low bars (lower deeply into lap)
hb = high bars (do not lower into lap, or lower slightly)
ss = small space
w = walking show, self paced (wheelchairs allowed)
s = standing show (wheelchairs allowed)
nws = no wheelchair space, but handicapped accessible
All shows have handicapped access and all ts and bs locations (except
those designated "nws"... no wheelchair spaces) have wheelchair spaces,
never having to leave the wheelchair, and a place for companion as well.
More info on wheelchairs below.
MAGIC KINGDOM
Ride Seat type Description
==================================================================
TOMORROWLAND
Astro Orbiter lb/ts jerky simulator ride
Space Mountain lb/ss roller coaster
Wedway People Mover hb/bs/nws gentle sit down ride
Delta DreamFlight hb gentle sit down ride
Time Keeper s show/movie?
Carousel of Progress ts show
FANTASYLAND
Grand Prix Raceway bs/ss gentle ride
Dumbo Flying Elephants lb/ss kids' ride
Carousel Horses bs/horses gentle ride
It's a Small World bs/nws gentle ride
Tea Cups bs(round) twirly ride
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride bs/hb ride
Legend of Lion King ts show
Skyway 700 lb limit sky ride
TOWN SQUARE
Hall of Presidents ts show (standing pre-show)
Haunted Mansion bs/hb/nws gentle ride (standing pre-show)
Mike Fink Keel Boats bs gentle ride
Tom Sawyers Island w (short standing barge ride)
FRONTIERLAND
Splash Mountain lb/ss roller coaster
Big Thunder Mountain lb/ss roller coaster
Country Bear Jamboree bs show
Railroad Ride bs gentle sit down ride
Jungle Cruise bs gentle boat ride
ADVENTURELAND
Pirates of the Carribean bs/nws boat ride-8 foot "waterfall"
Swiss Family Treehouse w walking uphill/downhill
Enchanted Tiki Room bs show (standing pre-show)
MAIN STREET
Main Street Cinema ts movie
===================================================================
EPCOT CENTER
Ride Seat type Description
===================================================================
FUTURE WORLD
Spaceship Earth hb gentle ride
The Living Seas bs/w short ride
The Land bs/nws gentle boat ride
Journey to Imagination lb/w several activities
Universe of Energy bs gentle boat-like ride
Wonders of Life lb/ss ride
Cranium Command bs show
Making of Me bs movie
Body Wars lb/ts jerky flight simulator
WORLD SHOWCASE
Mexico hb/bs/nws gentle boat ride
China s CircleVision movie
Norway lb faster boat ride
2 drops down "waterfalls"
Morocco (no rides)
Germany (no rides)
Italy (no rides)
Japan (no rides)
United States ts show (arrive early for seating)
France s CircleVision movie
Canada s CircleVision movie
===================================================================
MGM
Ride Seat type Description
===================================================================
Tower of Terror bs/hb 13 story drop
Muppet Show ts show
Beauty and the Beast bs show
Little Mermaid ts show
Magic of Disney Animation w demonstrations
Backstage Tour tram ride/bs demonstrations
Great Movie Rides bs show
Hunchback of Notre Dame bs show
Star Tours lb/ts jerky flight simulator
Monster Sound Show ts show
Indiana Jones Spectacular bs show
=========================================================
There is ample wheelchair parking outside each park. In MGM you need to
show a wheelchair sticker, otherwise it is the honor system. Trams,
monorails, and boats are completely accessible, their being used to get
you from the parking area to the parks.
Wheelchairs, both standard and electric, can be rented each day, but must stay in the park they were rented in, even with multi-park passes. The wheelchair rental areas are directly inside each parks' gates (Magic Kingdom's is towards the middle, EPCOT's is to the far left, and MGM's is also to the far left). Standard wheelchairs are $6 a day, no deposit. The electric ones are $30 a day and $20 refundable deposit when you return the chair. (the electric ones are *well* worth the money! Especially in EPCOT where there are hills in several places.) A new policy! Wheelchairs are *first come, first served"! They no longer take reservations. We always rent a stroller as well for the walking person to push, allowing us to dump all the purses, bags, etc. in. First come, first served, they are $6 a day, with $1 refund when you return it.
One never needs to go through turnstiles... from the front entrance to any ride. There are gates that swing open, simply ask the attendant (or make yourself at home and open it yourself, like I do!).
All types of modified diets are honored at Walt Disney World... in parks (see below), restaurants, and hotels... from Kosher, vegan, and low-fat to diabetic, ovo-lacto vegetarian, and kids' meals.
In the Magic Kingdom, there is a vegetarian fast food restaurant in Tomorrowland. The fast food places are eat what is on the menu, but sit down places (with backstage chefs) can cook anything to match your dietary needs... simply ask your server.
In EPCOT, there are wonderful places to eat. Canada has a cafeteria. The Living Seas has the most expensive food, but most spectacular dining room, set under the aquarium, dinner swimming all around as you eat! Most restaurants have several choices of meals that fit in with varying diet plans. If not, ask the server for what you need.
In MGM, there are fast food and dining rooms, including a cafeteria (that is eat what is there). The dining rooms can cater to your needs.
The majority of wheelchairs at the Disney parks are the regular sized, but they *do* have several of the larger sized ones. The electric wheelchairs have arms that rise on one side.
Also, the chairs in every restaurant that I can think of have no arms. I am sure if there are arms on chairs, there are also chairs without arms handy.
The restrooms all have handicapped stalls, of course... and I have been able to fit in most stalls at 330 pounds.
If you ever have a problem when gently asking for your needs, ask to speak to a supervisor, and they can help... either by getting you what you need, or directing you to a place where your needs can be met.
For further questions you can call Walt Disney World at 407-824-4321.
Air Physics Corp Phoenix, AZ Phone: (800) 553-0353 Chairs that assist people in standing up. One design is for large people. It is 27" wide, can lift over 800 lbs, and costs $895. They sell another chair rated up to 400 lbs, and a lift seat that can be strapped to a regular chair. If a doctor prescribes a lift chair for you, your health insurance may pay part of the cost. They also sell the large chairs alone without the lift mechanism. American Health Supplies Inc. Web site: http://www.ahsinc.com/pharmmed.htm Vast catalog of medical equipment and home health aids. Most items have pictures, describe size and weight limits. Amplestuff www.amplestuff.com Items for plus- and supersize woman and men such as: large clothes hangers, airline seatbelt extenders, books/videos, fanny packs, health/hygiene products, wider socks. Apria (formerly Homedco) Medical equipment company reported by a fat person with sleep apnea to be good to work with. Beam balance scales and counterweights http://www.bodytrends.com/det.htm http://www.empirescale.com/empire/model80.htm http://www.sperlescales.com/detecto_clinical_medical_scale.htm Brace Center 2285 N.W. Loop Stephenville TX 76401 (254) 965-9092 1600 Central Drive Bedford, Texas 76022 Phone 877-272-2348 Fax (254)-965-9644 Web http://www.kneesupport.com Large selection of all sizes. Easy to work with via phone, online or retail locations. CJ's International 4175 Pepperwood Trail Minnetonka, MN 55305-4915 Phone: (800) 538-8394 Austrian crystal tennis bracelets for people with large wrists, $2.50 per inch plus shipping and handling. ConvaQuip Health Care Products P.O. Box 3417 Abilene, Texas 79604 Phone: (800) 637-8436, (915) 677-4177 Fax: (915) 677-7217 Email: mailto:info@convaquip.com Web site: http://www.convaquip.com/ Heavy-duty convalescent aids and medical equipment -- walkers, canes, crutches, commodes, shower and bath chairs. Domestications PO Box 40 Hanover, PA 17333-0040 Inexpensive large bath sheets (36" x 66"). Easy Rider Pedal Extensions PO Box 251677 Glendale, CA 91225-1677 Phone: 818-247-9246 FAX: 818-247-3329 Prices range between $60 and $75 per extender. They can be installed using a screwdriver and socket wrench. They can be used on most vehicles (including temporarily on rental cars). Electric Mobility Phone: 800-MOBILITY Web site: http://www.electricmobility.com Offers a motorized scooter, Rascal, that's rated to 450 lbs. It is modular so repairs are not expensive. It can be taken apart and put in the trunk of a car. An extra-wide (22") seat is available. The armrests flip up, or you can remove the entire armrest assembly. Cost is around $3500, including the extra-wide chair. Also offers motoroized scooter models called Chauffeur with weight limits of 450-600, depending on the model. One person complained the 600-pound model brok frequently. Others say the Chauffer is sturdier than the Rascal. One person reports that her model has a longer base (good for long legs) and "The weight limit is 450, but the company told me that it would be fine of you were a bit over that." The Chauffeur MX model is rated for 450 lbs and the cost is about $2,300, including an extra-width foot plate. It's a 3 wheeler, very stable. The tiller (steering column) is adjustable to accommodate big bellies. Electric Mobility doesn't rent scooters and don't generally have any heavy duty scooters available for sale used. Enduro Conneticut Makes customized wheelchairs. One person has one with a weight capacity of 500 lbs. and a 20" seat. Everest & Jennings Offers wheelchairs for people weighing up to 400 pounds. Various sites on the web; search on "Everest Jennings" in Yahoo or Google. Greedy Dyke Productions 2400 Rio Grande NW, #1-110 Albuquerque, NM 87104 Phone: (505) 345-8739 Dildo harnesses that fit folks with large legs (one size for hips under 55" and one size for hips over 55"). King Size PO Box 9115 Hingham, MA 02043 Phone: (800) 846-1600 Large-size rain gear that is more or less unisex. Extra-large umbrellas, ties, and fanny packs. Lark Has a motorized wheelchair/scooter rated to 450. One person wrote "But the 300lb one I tested had so much punch I considered it, even though I am 350." The prices range $3500-$5000. The lifts for the car add another $2000. Laughing Sisters 4514 Manitou Way San Diego, CA 92117 Phone: (619) 272-1976 They make plastic hangers 19" wide. (Regular hangers are 14" wide.) Clothes won't slide off these hangers and won't get funny lumps on the shoulder seams from hangers too narrow to reach the shoulders. Masterlink Marketing Fax: (716) 675-1610 They make an adjuster for auto seatbelts called Master Design. You clip it to the seatbelt by the latch, and it makes the shoulder belt sit lower. Northwest Kayaks Inc. http://www.nwkayaks.com Offers a kayak called a Cadence, which has a load capacity of 455 lbs and has an opening made for larger people. Mour To Dri Reported out of business Mar01 Optiway Technology, Inc. 500 Norfinch Dr., Downsview, Ontario, Canada M3N 1Y4 Phone: 800-514-7061 Fax: (416)739-6622 Offers Optiway/Fortress 2001 LX4 Scooter. Can be modified both for weight and to make it more powerful on hills. The 4 wheels are much more stable (less likely to fall over) than the 3 wheels, which are a bit easier to maneuver. Palmer Industries http://www.palmerind.com/index.htm Makes an electric vehicle capable of climbing hills and traversing rough terrain, more rugged than scooters. Cost $3000-$5000. For transporting, they suggest a trailer, cost about $500 including installation. PDG Inc. Phil Mundy, Nancy Balcom 9165 Shaughnessy Street Vancouver, B.C., Canada, V6P 6R9 Phone: 604-323-9220 Fax: 604-323-9097 E-mail: info@PRODGROUP.COM PDG Inc. is a manufacturer of wheelchairs for big and supersize people. They make wheelchairs in sizes up to and exceeding 30". U.S. distributor is: MedBloc, 700 Ensminger Road - Unit 112, Tonawanda, N.Y., 14150, USA, Ph: 1-888-433-6818, Fax: 1-888-433-6834 In Canada: Graham-Field Canada, 111 Snidercroft Road, Concord, Ontario, L4K 2J8, Ph: (905) 669-2381 / 1 800 387-9113, Fax: (905) 660-7875 / 1 800 267-0502. One can also contact PDG directly. Royal Resources Vendredi Enterprises PO Box 220 Camas Valley, OR 97416 Phone: (503) 445-2330 Information and source directory for large folks: Clothing, shoes, books, jewelry, magazines, furniture, sewing supplies, health products, sunglasses, umbrellas, dating services, insurance, cars, airlines, cruises, etc. Cost is $29.95. Shower Anywhere http://www.shower-anywhere.com Portable shower stalls and tanks. Can be modified to accommodate people of size. SIZEWise Rentals Phone 800-814-9389 Email: SIZEWise@aol.com Web: http://www.sizewiserentals.com Rent medical equipment designed for large people. Rent to care facilities, rehab, et al. 43 locations in the U.S. Carry wheelchairs up to 37", shower/commode chairs to 30", power recliners, walkers, beds, air mattresses, trapezes, etc. Capacity on mobility items is 750lbs, beds and air mattresses to 1000lb. Affiliated with Wheelchairs of Kansas (listed below). Therapy Supplies Toronto 416-752-8885 Ask to speak with Peter Tippett. Please mention Helena Spring of Canada WYDE as reference. Medical supply house. One product they sell is a solid walker with a wide seat, made by Gaper Products in Toronto. Toledo They custom-make scales as large or as small as you want them. Totes Big, sturdy umbrella called "City Slicker" is large enough to keep almost anyone dry. 21st Century Scientific Makes power wheelchairs rated up to 1000 pounds. Wheelchairs of Kansas 204 W. 2nd, Ellis, KS, USA 67637 Telephone 1-800-537-6454 FAX 1-800-337-2447 Email info@wheelchairsofkansas.com Web http://www.wheelchairsofkansas.com Manufacture and sell medical equipment designed for large people, including wheelchairs, beds, lifts, and bath aides. Makes power wheelchairs up to 750 pounds Worldesigns Incorporated PO Box 355 New York City, NY 10024 Fanny packs in sizes up to 2X (59"-92"). XL Collection Plus Box 20511 Rochester, NY 14602 $12.95 Fashion resource guide. Wheelchairs of Kansas Phone: (800) 537-6454 Free catalog. They rent wheelchairs up to 30" wide and will ship them within a few days. They also sell custom-made wheelchairs of any width.
Abundia
Sally Strosahl
PO Box 252
Downers Grove IL 60515
Phone: (630) 897-9796
Body-size acceptance for abundant women -- workshops,
presentations, classes and retreats. Works with health-care
professionals who wish to become more size-informed. Cheri
Erdman, a member, wrote her doctoral thesis on the process of
body-size acceptance in women.
Amity Associates
Susan Kano
18 Holiday Road
Wayland MA 01778
Work Phone: (508) 358-4811
Home Phone: (508) 358-9611
Offers workshops based on Kano's book *Making Peace with Food*.
Lucia Kim August, MA, MFCC
2550 Peralta Blvd. #7
Fremont, CA 94536
Phone: (510) 792-5588
Email: lkaugust@inferno.com
Anti-dieting, demand feeding, psycho-educational approach based
on the books *Overcoming Overeating* and *When Women Stop
Hating Their Bodies* by Jane Hirschmann and Carol Munter. August
is an active member of The Women's Campaign to End Body Hatred
and Dieting. Individual therapy sessions available. Groups being
organized. Dance/movement therapy for large women.
Lizbeth Binks, Ph.D.
Phone: (410) 532-3080
Size acceptance therapy. Baltimore, MD.
Kelly Bliss, M.Ed.
Phone: 610-394-2547
Email: kellybliss@snip.net
Web site: www.kellybliss.com
Provides size-accepting counseling and a nationwide video
classes for people barely large to very large. Classes
communicate on-line and through video: Fitness Plus (for people
who can walk) and SuperFit (for people with mobility problems).
Body Trust
Dayle Hayes
2110 Overland Ave., Ste. 120
Billings MT 59102
Work Phone: (800) 321-9499
Home Phone: (406) 656-9417
Fax: (406) 656-0124
Email: eatrightmt@aol.com
Workshops and videos promoting a program called Body Trust:
Undieting Your Way to Health and Happiness. Hayes is a member of
the American Dietetic Association Board of Directors.
Breaking Free
Geneen Roth
PO Box 2852
Santa Cruz CA 95063
Offers workshops based on her books *Breaking Free From
Compulsive Eating*, *Feeding The Hungry Heart*, and others.
Changing Perspectives
Bonnie O'Brien Johnson
PO Box 778
Point Reyes CA 94956
Work Phone: (415) 663-1320
Offers workshops on weight, body image, and health.
Nomi Dekel, MFCC
Phone: (415) 457-3468
Food obsession and body image groups and workshops. San
Francisco Bay Area.
Diet/Weight Liberation
Terry Nicholetti Garrison
Anabel Taylor Hall, Cornell Univ
Ithaca NY 14853
Work Phone: (607) 257-0563
Local *Fed Up* groups. Working to establish a pilot program of
peer education for high-school girls to teach size
size-acceptance workshops to their peers.
Grady, MFCC
Phone: (310) 804-2293
Body image. Individual and group therapy.
GUIDE
Susan Villari, MPH
Student U. Penn. Health Services
Box 745 HUP
Philadelphia PA 19104-4283
Work Phone: (215) 573-3525
GUIDE stands for *Guidance For Image, Dieting, and Eating*.
Villari offers workshops for students at U. Penn.
Ellyn Herb, Ph.D.
Phone: (408) 978-5125
Size acceptance therapy/support group. San Jose, CA
Marcia Germaine Hutchinson, Ed.D.
88 W Goulding St
Sherbourn MA 01770
Work Phone: (508) 653-3665
Home Phone: (508) 653-3665
Fax: (508) 653-3665
Email: mhutchnson@aol.com
Offers workshops on issues around size and body image and
*Body-Mind* audiotapes. Hutchinson is author of the book
*Transforming Body Image*.
Jassy Timberlake, M.Ed.
Cambridge, MA and environs
Phone: 617-256-8693
Size-friendly psychotherapist working with families, couples and
individuals therapist, with a specialty in sex, sexuality and
sexual health. GLBT welcoming and affirmative.
Image Power for Women of Size
Web site: http://members.tripod.com/~ImageConsultant/index.html
Image consultant service by a plus-size woman, who also is
organizing an empowerment conference/expo for women of size.
Innerworks/Food For Thought
Melissa Popp
2321 E Avenue H #2103
Grand Prairie TX 75050
Work Phone: (214) 606-1160
Offers eating/body image support group.
Jewish Family Services Of Fort Worth
Michele Adler, LMSW
6801 Dan Danciger Rd
Fort Worth TX 76133
Work Phone: (817) 294-2660
Fax: (817) 292-3214
Offers alternatives to dieting workshops.
Largely Positive, Inc.
Carol A. Johnson, MA, President
PO Box 17223
Glendale WI 53217
Johnson facilitates a support group at an area hospital to help
build self-esteem, promote size-acceptance, and discourage
dieting in favor of healthy, low-fat eating and regular
exercise. Johnson is the author of *Self-Esteem Comes in All
Sizes*.
Leslea Newman
PO Box 815
Northampton, MA 01061
Work Phone: (413) 584-3865
Fax: (413) 584-1099
Newman presents workshops on eating disorders, dieting, and
size-acceptance issues. She has written several books on these
subjects.
OASIS XXXL Support
Joellen Lapidus
Phone: (310) 398-7515
Therapy and support group for large men and women. West Los Angeles.
Overcoming Overeating, Chicago Center
Judith Matz, LCSW and Carol Coven Grannick
PO Box 48
Deerfield IL 60015
Phone: (708) 853-1200
Offers workshops in Chicago-area based on the *Overcoming
Overeating* approach.
Overcoming Overeating, National Center
Jane Hirschmann, MSW and Carol Munter, CEDS
315 West 86th. Street, Suite 17B
New York NY 10024-3180
Work Phone: (212) 875-0442
Fax: (212) 874-6596 or (212) 582-0076
Email: kaneri@aol.Com or carber@aol.Com
Offers workshops based on the *Overcoming Overeating* approach,
which advocates demand feeding without dieting and an end to
body hatred.
Deborah Scott
Phone: (312) 472-7646
Individual, group, couples therapy for women of all sizes.
Chicago area.
Judith Sikes
504 W. 17th
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 476-0636
Joan Spiegel, Ph.D.
Phone: (510) 548-8709, (408) 732-1626
Individual therapy, eating disorders, body acceptance. San
Francisco Bay Area.
Weight Release Services
Barbara Altman Bruno, Ph.D.
45 Munson Road
Pleasantville NY 10570-1829
Work Phone: (914) 747-1525
Fax: (914) 747-0000
Email: barb.bruno@execnet.com
Offers psychotherapy, counseling, classes, and coaching for
individuals, groups, and other professionals, on the subject of
living well regardless of size. Writes for Dimensions Magazine
and occasionally for NAAFA, Radiance, and BBW.
Willendorf Press
Miriam Berg
PO Box 407
Bearsville NY 12409
Work Phone/Fax: (914) 679-1209
Offers size rights/size-acceptance workshops and consultations
for groups, businesses, and individuals.
Here is a description of the ADA from Teresa Brady's article "The Obese: A New Protected Class Under the Americans with Disabilities Act" published in *The International Journal of Applied Philosophy* 8:2, Winter/Spring 1994. (This article is hostile to the idea of obese people's being covered under the ADA.)
The ADA is a broad piece of legislation made up of five parts. Title I of the ADA prohibits discrimination against disabled individuals by providing equal employment opportunities; Title II provides equal availability and accessibility to public services and transportation; Title III prohibits discrimination in public accommodations, commercial facilities, and services such as hotels, restaurants and grocery stores; Title IV deals with telecommunications, and Title V contains miscellaneous provisions for individuals based on their rights under the ADA.The ADA does not list which conditions are covered under the act; this is being worked out by the U.S. courts.
The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) guidelines include obesity as a protected disability. This means that they believe the ADA should apply to obese people, and they will allow suits to be brought under the ADA by obese people.
One is generally considered obese if one's weight exceeds the norm (whatever that is) by more than 15-20%. One is considered "morbidly obese" if one's weight exceeds the "norm" by 100%. Existing ADA case law applies to "morbidly obese" people. The ADA has not been tested with regard to other fat people.
Airlines are exempted from the Americans with Disablities Act. They are covered under the Air Access Act of 1990. The Department of Transportation has information on the Air Access Act.
The ADA does not apply to military personnel, because they are not civilians and are not protected by civilian law. The military can and does discriminate on the basis of weight.
An example of ADA advocacy:
One person on a.s.b-f was attending a class at a local university which
didn't have any chairs large enough for her. For a while, she sat on the
floor, because the departments at the university were arguing over whose
job it was to provide a chair for her. When nothing happened for too
long, she called the departmental dean, the dean of the college, the
dean of students, student support services, and finally the ADA. The ADA
required a note from her doctor (she was pregnant at the time), and then
"proceeded to get ugly with a bunch of people in the most wonderful
way." The ADA people got her excused from class until she received
adequate support materials.
In April 1997, UPI reported on a lawsuit filed in Mount Clemens, MI. A supersize man is suing his former boss for harrassing him about his weight to the point where he felt forced to quit. He was a factory manager. His boss made him "do jumping jacks during office meetings." The company admits that upon hiring, "he was offered a $5,000 'health bonus' if he'd lose 70 pounds."
Cook v. State of Rhode Island
(2 AD Cases 1147 (1992); 1993 WL 470697 (1st Cir. (R.I.)))405-pound man sues Denny's RestaurantPlaintiff Cook was a 5'2", 320 pound Rhode Island woman who was turned down for the job as institutional attendant at a state school for the mentally retarded. Although Cook held the same job for eight years previous to her reapplication, this time she was disqualified by the state agency, whose officials claimed her morbid obesity made her an unacceptable health risk and impaired her ability to evacuate patients in case of emergency.
Cook claimed her obesity had no negative effects on her health and it did not affect her strength or agility. She sued the state agency claiming that she was discriminated against due to her weight. The district court found in her favor. She was awarded $100,000 and the right to the next available position of institutional attendant mental retardation. The case was affirmed on appeal by the state agency for the following reasons. First, the court claimed that Cook was powerless to manage her weight, citing the fact that even after years of extensive dieting, she regained all of her weight. Second, dieting and/or fasting could not help slow down her metabolism. Third, although Cook's condition is voluntary, other voluntary conditions such as alcoholism are covered under federal disabilities laws.
A 405-pound man is suing Denny's for $1.3 million, claiming restaurant workers made him feel like "a clown on parade."Gary A. Sellick, 36, also claims that he couldn't fit into a booth and the restaurant was unable to provide a chair big enough to hold him when he tried to eat there June 8.
The lawsuit [...] says the experience caused Sellick emotional distress.
"With them pointing at me and laughing, I immediately felt like a clown on parade," Sellick said. "I don't want to be stared at because I'm large. It's humiliating." (*The News and Observer*, Raleigh, NC, Sunday, July 24, 1994)
TITLE(s): Weighing In Against Obesity Discrimination.
Summary: Cook v. Rhode Island, Department of Mental Health,
Retardation, and Hospitals and the Recognition
of Obesity as a Disability under the Rehabilitation
Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act.
JOURNAL: Boston College Law Review.
July 1, 1994; volume 35 number 4
Page: 927
AUTHOR(s): Brucoli, M. Andrea
TITLE(s): Cook v. Rhode Island, Department of Mental Health,
Retardation, and Hospitals: Morbid Obesity As a
Protected Disability or an Unprotected Voluntary
Condition.
JOURNAL: Georgia Law Review.
Spring 1994; volume 28 number 3
Page: 771
AUTHOR(s): Neff, Barbara C.
TITLE(s): Expanding Liability for Employment Discrimination:
Obesity as a Handicap.
JOURNAL: For the Defense.
April 1, 1994; volume 36 number 4
Page: 14
TITLE(s): Employment Law.
Summary: Terminated employee denied due process
Noncompetition covenant unenforceable where
employment was at will Recovery under Rehabilitation
Act for discrimination based on obesity.
JOURNAL: Law Reporter
March 1, 1994; volume 37 number 2
Page: 52
TITLE(s): Civil Rights--Handicap Discrimination Law--Pennsylvania
Excludes Obesity From Protection Under the Pennsylvania
Human Relations Commission, 591 A.2d 281 (Pa. 1991).
JOURNAL: Temple law review.
Summer 1992; volume 65 number 2
Page: 623
AUTHOR(s): Rothblum, E.D., P.A. Brand, Pamela A., and C.T. Miller
TITLE(s): The Relationship between Obesity, Employment
Discrimination, and Employment-Related Victimization.
JOURNAL: Journal of Vocational Behavior.
December 1, 1990; volume 37 number 3
Page: 251
AUTHOR(s): Klesges, R.C., M.L. Klem, and C.L. Hanson
TITLE(s): The effects of applicant's health status and qualifications
on simulated hiring decisions.
JOURNAL: International Journal of Obesity.
June 1, 1990; volume 14 number 6
Page: 527
AUTHOR(s): Carlsen, Susan B.
TITLE(s): Legal Issues--A Heavy Issue: Is Obesity Grounds
for Not Hiring?
JOURNAL: School Business Affairs.
June 1, 1993; volume 59 number 6
Page: 41
Lynette Labinger, Esq.
Roney & Labinger
344 Wickenden St.
Providence RI 02903
Phone: 401-421-9794
Won case of Cook v. Rhode Island in Nov., 1993, which established
legal precedent for fat people's right to protection under federal
disability rights statutes.
Kenneth I. Friedman, Esq.
Beck & Eldergill
447 Center St.
Manchester CT 06040
Phone: 203-646-5606
Handles weight discrimination cases.
Yvonne G. Bach, Esq.
2 Penn. Ctr. Plaza #1204/15th. & JFK Blvd.
Philadelphia PA 19102
Phone: 215-496-9900
Litigates cases involving weight-loss surgery
James Loots, Esq.
Barrymore & Loots
815 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Suite 125
Washington DC 20006
Phone: 202-466-4950
Handles weight discrimination cases
Karin Stackpole, Esq.
Barrymore & Loots
815 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 125
Washington DC 20006
Phone: 202-466-4950
Handles weight discrimination cases
James Goodman, Esq.
Persons with Disabilities Law Center
56 17TH Ave. N. E.
Atlanta GA 30309
Phone: 404-892-4200
Handles weight discrimination cases
James J. Parks, Esq.
Gabrian and Parks, P. C.
2525 Telegraph, Suite 303
Bloomfield MI 48302
Phone: 810-334-6464
Handled first weight harassment case under Michigan's
Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act; strong advocate for size rights;
handles weight discrimination cases.
Marilyn H. Marchetti, Esq.
Oppenheimer, Wolff, & Donnelly
2 Prudential Plz/180 N. Stetson Ave.
Chicago IL 60601
Phone: 312-616-5838
Handles weight discrimination cases
Carol Cullum,
Cullum & Sena
45 Polk Street
San Francisco CA 94102
Phone: 415-863-5300
E-mail: CullumSena@aol.com
Attorney of size, knowledgeable about weight discrimination
Edith Benay, Esq.
San Francisco CA
Phone: 415-621-4449
Has strong background in weight discrimination
Barbara A. Lawless, Esq.
San Francisco CA
Phone: 415-391-7555
Attorney who won John Rossi's size discrimination case against
Kragen Auto parts in 1995 and a $1 million dollar award for Rossi.
Robert Z. Lazo, Esq.
San Francisco CA
Phone: 415-522-9771
Employment lawyer who knows and cares about weight discrimination,
also wrote article for Los Angeles Daily Journal in Oct., 1993
about Toni Cassista's case.
Plus Model Management 49 W 37th St New York, NY 10018 Phone: (212) 672-9882 Models 5'2" and under, sizes 16-18, and 5'8" and over, sizes 12-20. Wilhelmina 300 Park Ave South New York, NY 10010 Phone: (212) 473-4884 See also Sandie Sabo's book on plus-size modeling in the Publications FAQ.
The latest version of the following FAQs can be found at: http://www.cat-and-dragon.com/~stef/Fatfaqs/
You can also find (sometimes slightly older versions of) the above FAQs (except the plus-size pregnancy FAQs) at the following locations:
You can also get FAQs from rtfm.mit.edu via anonymous FTP or via the mail archive server. For information about the mail server, send email to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with the word "help" (without the quotes) in the body of the message.
Stef Maruch (ff@cat-and-dragon.com) maintains this FAQ.
Sasha Wood (Sasha.Wood@cs.cmu.edu)
Largesse (75773.717@compuserve.com)
Also, lots and lots of other people (too many to credit) contributed information that appears herein, some via email and some on s.s.f-a or a.s.b-f. Thanks to them all.
Suggestions for additions/improvements are always welcome.
Send suggestions to Stef Maruch ff@cat-and-dragon.com
Copyright 1995-1999 by Stef Maruch (ff@cat-and-dragon.com)
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