“Perhaps you’ve seen the video of the woman who slipped and fell in the store. This happened in 2012. The photo went viral after the addition of text, becoming a widely shared image online.
Jennifer Knapp Wilkinson, after confirming that she is the woman in the photo, made the following remarks about ‘her 15 minutes of fame’:
“These are my 15 minutes of fame. You’ve probably seen the photo. The worst part is that it gives the impression that an overweight woman is falling out of a stroller because she’s too lazy to get out to buy the juice she wants.”
“I suffer from a serious spinal condition; one of the vertebrae has shifted.”
“The most common symptoms of the disease are related to body and leg weakness. Additionally, because of this, I am overweight and suffer from chronic depression. I battle my illness every day; I enrolled in a gym, but my weight remains a challenge.”
“The photo was taken in 2012 when my legs were causing me a lot of pain, which is why I was using a stroller. I wanted to buy juice for my husband; he drank it in large quantities.”
“I leaned over to pick it up, but the stroller slipped. I didn’t think too much about the incident because I was used to people making malicious comments about me.”
Even if you can’t see my disabilities, they are real and present. So, the next time you see images of people mocking you, remember that you know nothing about these individuals or the challenges they face every day. Laughing at someone is NEVER harmless.”
“I’m not asking anyone to accept obesity; it’s a problem that triggers many other diseases. At the same time, I’m not asking anyone to pity me or feel sorry for me.”
“What I want is compassion, understanding, and respect for another human being. I am a person — please treat me as such!”
“Please, SHARE this incredible message with your family and friends!
