Rich Manhattan moms hire handicapped tour guides so kids can cut lines at Disney World

[The Empress Lilly]

Tangent alert:
The Wall-E pic reminds when I was in grad school and I gave a presentation about interventions for obesity. At the end of my presentation, I had that picture from the movie where people are in those recliner things. I had my handed to me for "fat-shaming." Then, despite my evidence from peer-reviewed journals, someone told me that just because health issues and obesity are linked, I couldn't prove a direct relationship. Wow, ok, enjoy your little river cruise down De Nile. I seriously thought I fell down a rabbit hole. I was gob-smacked. I guess this is where we are headed...

It's an American problem. Both the obesity rates, and the disinformation / lobbying. It's not the fault of average Americans - they all try to watch what they eat, try to work out, feel guilty. No, the problem is simply the poison that is allowed to be sold as food for human consumption.

In France the food is delicious and healthy, and the people are beautifully slender. And live longer than anywhere else in the West. I blame it on the evil interventionalist French government which protects the consumer from Big Food.

Here's me entering DLP. Look, no fat people, no scooters, no kids above three in strollers!

 

[PhotoDave219]

The ones I'm talking about aren't "lifestylers" at all, as I understand the term. Heck, most of the guides I know don't set foot in the parks unless it's work-related (a blond friend of ours being the exception that proves the rule). These companies provide a useful service to people with money who don't have the time or inclination to learn the in-and-outs of ADRs, FastPass, which princess lives where, etc.

Certain lifestylers also offer tours, but those seem more about self-promotion. That's not what I'm talking about.

No I was referring to the offshoot of people who set up their own tour guide to business. Not your friend. I remember what you said of it in the past.

 

[Clever Name]

I have an idea. At each of the turnstiles at each park entrance, they should have a set of scales and a laser beam that measures your height. If your BMI doesn't fit within the established guidelines, then you will be required to visit Habit Heroes before being allowed to visit any other attractions.

If you have a big scar on your neck from thyroid removal, you will be excused.

 

[tissandtully]

I have an idea. At each of the turnstiles at each park entrance, they should have a set of scales and a laser beam that measures your height. If your BMI doesn't fit within the established guidelines, then you will be required to visit Habit Heroes before being allowed to visit any other attractions.

If you have a big scar on your neck from thyroid removal, you will be excused.

Or just make them run up the stairs at the back of LMA stadium.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Maybe you should enlighten us Dr. Duarte.

really... put 100 obese people in a room, do you think the percentage of those who suffer from thyroid issues would break the 20% mark, medically speaking. So you're looking at around 14-16% of Americans classified as obese.

Medical research estimates that on the high end of the spectrum 20 million Americans suffer from thyroidal issues on all different levels. It's believed that 10% of all women over 60 suffer from the same issues.

So, as a betting man... if I see a scooter rolling around with some grossly obese person I can wager that I have an 84% chance of correctly identifying the turkey leg as the main culprit, not their thyroid.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I'm a big guy... it's because I like beer, burgers, steak, dole whips, and a whole slew of crap that isn't good for me.

It always seems be blamed on the thyroid or a genetic issue.

Sure, most of it is from overeating. Some overeating is due to economic issues, where all one can afford are Carbs. and fill up on them. Another is mental depression where the only friend appears to be food. Mental illness is an illness as much as we'd like to say everyone can control it...it's not true. Another would be thyroid or genetic issues. For example, my son-in-law eats way more then I do and I mean way more, yet, if he turns sideways all you would see is a straight line, if he stuck his tongue out he'd look like a zipper. OK, enough of the humor, the fact is that some are more programed to be overweight then others. Instead of looking at these people with disgust, perhaps one should just be thankful about how lucky they are that they are not like that. I can assure you that most of them would like to be thin and in shape. Just check and see how big a business the diet industry is. Yes, it is sad that these people have to use scooters in order to tour a Disney Park, but, the fact remains that they do. So they have a legitimate reason for using one, whether the rest of us think they should or not. It is a reason to use a scooter, if they were thin they probably wouldn't be using one. Think about it.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Sure, most of it is from overeating. Some overeating is due to economic issues, where all one can afford are Carbs. and fill up on them. Another is mental depression where the only friend appears to be food. Mental illness is an illness as much as we'd like to say everyone can control it...it's not true. Another would be thyroid or genetic issues. For example, my son-in-law eats way more then I do and I mean way more, yet, if he turns sideways all you would see is a straight line, if he stuck his tongue out he'd look like a zipper. OK, enough of the humor, the fact is that some are more programed to be overweight then others. Instead of looking at these people with disgust, perhaps one should just be thankful about how lucky they are that they are not like that. I can assure you that most of them would like to be thin and in shape. Just check and see how big a business the diet industry is. Yes, it is sad that these people have to use scooters in order to tour a Disney Park, but, the fact remains that they do. So they have a legitimate reason for using one, whether the rest of us think they should or not. It is a reason to use a scooter, if they were thin they probably wouldn't be using one. Think about it.

that's like some sad explanation as to why my wife and I split a steak because we're young, ambitious, and are saving for our 1st home... as opposed to the lady in front of me who has a porterhouse for her and her husband with a side of lobster meat because they have an EBT foodstamps card. That's like saying we're all predisposed to economic and health conditions so just roll over and deal with it.

 

[luv]

once again, congratulations... that's your personal story. But in reality, we assess situations or scenarios in terms of percentages. You're in the minority, scientifically speaking.

Congrts? On having had a thyroid problem? Hardly a matter for congratulations. Wasn't a baby that came out of me. It was a big old, masses-ridden, trachea-crushing, "You really made me work!" from the surgeon, hunk of crap. (And he should work hard once in a while, lol. He certainly makes enough!)

Loads of people have thyroid issues. The thyroidologists' offices are full of them. Endocrinologists have their fair share, too.

It's a real thing! And it really causes weight gain! For a lot of people!

Some people get a rare form of thyroid cancer that is fatal. They just die.

This thyroid thing you suggest does not exist and make fun of is a real problem for many people.

But you don't want to hear that. You don't want the stories, you don't want to see proof. You want to sit there and say it isn't real, they're just pigs...and make fun of them.

I am sorry to hear it.

 

[wm49rs]

once again, congratulations... that's your personal story. But in reality, we assess situations or scenarios in terms of percentages. You're in the minority, scientifically speaking.

Who's we?

And you still have no way of "scientifically" knowing what condition(s) a person may have from simply looking at them.

 

[flynnibus]

Wow, ok, enjoy your little river cruise down De Nile. I seriously thought I fell down a rabbit hole. I was gob-smacked. I guess this is where we are headed...

It's the same mentality at the core of most of our social issues... a lack of self responsibility and the desire to blame others. Add that with Political Correctness... and you get a self feeding cycle where no one stands up to try to stop it.

 

[flynnibus]

Absolutely. The fact TDO has never done this, despite one of the top companies being owned by the #1 web expert on WDW (sorry, Lou) indicates they see no reason to do so.

Or there is some self-serving reasons not to... big difference between 'no reason' and choosing to let hand picked folks flaunt the standard.

 

[Sans Souci]

It's an American problem. Both the obesity rates, and the disinformation / lobbying. It's not the fault of average Americans - they all try to watch what they eat, try to work out, feel guilty. No, the problem is simply the poison that is allowed to be sold as food for human consumption.

In France the food is delicious and healthy, and the people are beautifully slender. And live longer than anywhere else in the West. I blame it on the evil interventionalist French government which protects the consumer from Big Food.

Here's me entering DLP. Look, no fat people, no scooters, no kids above three in strollers!

I agree. I also want to point out that the things I discussed in my presentation were issues like lack of access of fresh fruit and veggies in urban areas that don't have big supermarkets AKA "food deserts." I never said anything derogatory. I presented facts from sources such as the NBER. I was so surprised to be accused of "fat shaming." That's not how I roll.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Well this got Ugly.... and I didnt cause it.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

It's the same mentality at the core of most of our social issues... a lack of self responsibility and the desire to blame others. Add that with Political Correctness... and you get a self feeding cycle where no one stands up to try to stop it.

But is it? I think obesity often only looks like a product of personal irresponsibility. I don't think the obesity problem at large is caused by it. That's what the food lobby would have you believe, like the tobacco industry before them.

Many very responsible Americans are very obese. It simply takes too much effort, information and money to stay slender and healthy. Most food being sold is poison. There is misinformation everywhere. There is a lack of nutritional information. Unhealthy food is cheap, healthy expensive. Which to a large extent is a product of policy choices, not of production costs. In some areas, San Souci's 'food deserts', it is simply nigh impossible to buy healthy food at all.

 

[Eeyore]

Who's we?

And you still have no way of "scientifically" knowing what condition(s) a person may have from simply looking at them.

Exactly, there is often no way to know if someone has a medical condition simply by looking at them.
This thread has gotten very off track. If those of you who wish to continue discussing the original topic can get it back on track I will leave it open. If it continues to go down its current path I'll have to close it.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

Who's we?

And you still have no way of "scientifically" knowing what condition(s) a person may have from simply looking at them.

I agree. One of my long time doctors matter of fact told me that they were shocked that I got a thyroid problem based on looking at me after the fist time visit after I was diagnosed with a thyroid problem.

If a person sees me, they wouldn't figure that I actually have to take medication for a thyroid problem because of blood work thyroid results.

 

[Hakunamatata]

How do you know that most overweight people aren't just succeeding from beating anorexia?

 

[flynnibus]

There is misinformation everywhere. There is a lack of nutritional information. Unhealthy food is cheap, healthy expensive. Which to a large extent is a product of policy choices, not of production costs. In some areas, San Souci's 'food deserts', it is simply nigh impossible to buy healthy food at all.

That's a load. No one is forced to eat unhealthy day in and day out. And people managed to eat healthy when there was no nutritional labels at all.

On top of that.. when you do get to the point of needing to do something about it - the food industry/lobby isn't the one keeping you from exercising, or making healthy choices in how you live your life. Blaming the food industry is just another example of people passing the buck vs looking at themselves. The food industry isn't the one who made you drive somewhere instead of walking or riding a bike. The food industry isn't the one who put you on the couch for the day instead of going outside. The food industry isn't the one who doesn't make time in their day to eat at the right time. The food industry isn't the one that makes you buy a TV Dinner instead of buying ingrediants and making the meal yourself.

On top of that - there is more help available than ever when it comes to getting help from medical or clinical resources to manage your weight.

The 'blame the industry' crock is more of the 'Im a victim..' thinking instead of taking some self responsibility. Yes, there are lots of bad foods out there, and bad information... SO WHAT. You aren't forced to eat it or believe them.

That's like saying I poor because I bought everything I can't afford because I got all these solicitations in my mailbox everyday telling me to buy all this stuff.

 

[flynnibus]

I agree. I also want to point out that the things I discussed in my presentation were issues like lack of access of fresh fruit and veggies in urban areas that don't have big supermarkets AKA "food deserts."

Ironic.. I find far more fresh food markets in urban areas than I do in suburban areas due to the dependency on local neighborhoods vs the large scale homogenization you see in suburban living. In the 'burbs you see only the grocery stores (Safeway, etc) while in the city, you see more local markets that tend to carry far more fresh food.

The issue isn't urban vs rural - but social and economic. When you have people that can't cook for themselves because they can't or won't... you will see a lot more marketing and push of processed/fast foods into that demographic. That goes hog wild.. and eventually it becomes hard to reset to a normal balance and introduce 'fresh food' businesses in those areas because the consumer base won't support them enough to be viable. Then it's a vicious cycle.. can't get out of the rut.

 

[Monty]

Well this got Ugly.... and I didnt cause it.

There's still time...