Family of Four "Too Fat to Work"
Categories: Weird But True
One British family, who reaps more than $30,000 a year in benefits because they are "too fat to work," says they want -- and deserve -- more money, according to London's Daily Telegraph. Philip Chawner and his wife, Audrey, weigh 336 pounds each. Emma, 19, weighs 236 pounds and Samantha, 21, weighs 252 pounds. The family, who live in Blackburn, England, have a combined weight of 1,160 pounds.Philip Chawner has Type 2 diabetes and was eligible for gastric band surgery until he developed a heart condition. Audrey has epilepsy and asthma as a result of being overweight, and says her family's obesity is "genetic" and they can't afford healthy food. "What we get barely covers the bills and puts food on the table," says Philip. "It's not our fault we can't work. We deserve more."
What's more, the Chawner parents haven't worked in 11 years.
Each member of the Chawner family consumes 3,000 calories each a day. (The recommended maximum intake is 2,000 for women and 2,500 for men.) "We have cereal for breakfast, bacon butties for lunch and microwave pies with mashed potato or chips for dinner," says Audrey.
"All that healthy food, like fruit and veg, is too expensive. We're fat because it's in our genes. Our whole family is overweight," she adds.
"I'm a student and don't have time to exercise," says Emma. "We all want to lose weight to stop the abuse we get in the street, but we don't know how."
What do you think – is this family making excuses for their extremely unhealthy lifestyle and taking advantage of the government?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mihir 3-23-2009 @ 3:46PM
you sure this wasn't an article in the Onion or something? because it made me laugh.
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mel 3-24-2009 @ 1:22PM
I agree....this sounds like an "onion" story!! LOL! If they stop eating bacon and mashed potatoes on a daily basis, that alone could help them shed a few pounds!
Alli 3-23-2009 @ 4:23PM
Is this a serious story??? OMG At my heavest (shamefully) I was 280 and I took care of 2 kids and worked a full time job!!! I have asthma & back problems ( I fractured my spine in a car accident ). I COULD NEVER IMAGINE being so darn lazy! It's pathetic the blame and excuses they make to keep that unhealthy lifestyle simply because it's their comfort zone. I'm speaking as a former food abuser so forgive me if I sound harsh but grow up, take some responsibility if not for your sakes then for your childrens sake! Lazy is the only word that works for that family. Maybe theifs as well!
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SKL 3-23-2009 @ 4:36PM
Hey, this is where the USA is heading pretty darn fast.
Come on guys, you have no human compassion.
By the way, I and my 2 kids live on less than $1K per month and we buy all organic, healthy food. But, this is the US, maybe vegetables cost 10x as much in the UK . . . .
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Kat 3-23-2009 @ 5:02PM
Fruit & Veg does not cost much. The sad fact is tht this family choose to live this way just like I choose to eat too much chocolate :0)
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ame s 3-23-2009 @ 9:04PM
Chronic alcoholics are able to get disability benefits here in the U.S.
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jb 3-23-2009 @ 9:47PM
Alcoholics are NOT eligible for Social Security Disability unless there is some permanent damage. It is taken into consideration that they would be able to work if they stopped drinking. These people are leeches and should get off their fat butts. There are plenty of people who weigh as much or more than these slugs who work everyday. To blame anyone other than themselves for their weight is BS.
Irma 3-24-2009 @ 12:39PM
I wouldn't have the nerve to make up all those stupid excuses for being fat. You are fat because you want to be,so you can collect all those checks. Get a life and go on diets. These type of people make me sick,I have no pity for them.
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Jon 4-04-2009 @ 4:28PM
Simple formula...
1: Reduce benefits by 50%.
2: Free vegetable seeds and garden tools.
3: Voucher for allotment (vegetable growing area)
4: Dig dig dig.
5: Fat / dig * vegetables eaten = pounds lost = time for work!
Reply