OT?? A sad moment

I just feel compelled to share my experience at Cedar Point this last weekend. We went up there for my husband's company picnic on Saturday. His boss pays to get us all in to the park for the day and provides a catered lunch. It is really nice. So, we spent the day there. 11 1/2 hours of it anyway! Anyway, I was able to barely (not an exaggeration either) get the safety belts and bars down over my gut. I made it though (couldn't have last year which is why my whole family didn't go). Autumn begged me to go on the scrambler. I finally gave in and said OK. In the line behind us was a set of grandparents, I would guess in their 50's, and their grandson who looked to be about the same age as Andrew. So Andrew went in the car with their grandson and the grandmother, who had just been standing in line with her husband and grandson, decided she would go ahead and go on the ride with her husband. She was a large woman probably about 50 pounds heavier than me. When it was our turn to get on the ride she climbed in and tried to get away with just using the safety belt and not pulling down the lap bar. Now, I had to actually lift my gut up and over the bar to fit in the ride myself so I knew she wouldn't be able to close hers. Pretty soon the operator came around inspecting every seat before starting the ride and this poor lady and her husband had to get off of the ride because they were too big. My heart nearly broke for them both. The lady made eye contact with me as she exited the ride and I just wanted to grab her and give her a hug and make things all right for her. She was just a sweetheart to talk to in the line and before she got on she had the most beautiful gleam in her eye. When she left there was so much pain in her expression. The worst part was that they had to stand there with fake smiles plastered on their faces while they waited for their grandson to finish the ride. I could see the tears in the corners of her eyes as she stood there. It really broke my heart. I remember too well having a similar experience a few years ago right in front of one of my husband's co-workers. My son was required to have somebody ride the snoopy express or whatever it is called and I was asked to get off and my son screamed his little head off as we got off of the ride while everyone stood there shaking their heads and staring at us. Anyway, I just wanted to share this because it really left a mark on my heart. I could really feel that pain as if it were still fresh. Most of us have put up with more than our fair share of heartache, embarassment and fear because of our size. If you are a praying person, I did not ask this lady's name, but please pray God would heal the wound I am sure she brought home with her on Saturday. Thanks, Jaimee

Bless your heart Jaimee... You're so kind. I know exactly how this poor soul must have felt. We were at Kings Island about 5 yrs. ago, and the bar on the Beast wouldn't go down as much as the operator wanted it to. They let me ride, but only after I was humiliated in front of everyone standing in line and all of those waiting for the ride to start. Needless to say, I cried the whole darn ride. We went to Kings Island this year and I was so scared to try to ride. My whole family kept telling me that I was crazy. I did get on a few rides, but was panicked each time. I fit fine, unbelievably. But...I drew the line at trying to get on The Beast again. God help us all to get to our goal. We deserve to be able to have fun and enjoy our lives and our families. Angela

Thank you for telling this story. My date is Oct 8, I have 4 children, and you have given me another reason to add to my list of reasons to have this surgery (its getting quite long). We live by Kings Island and going on rides next summer with my kids is something I sooo look forward to. Thank you again. Lynn.

Jaimee, Hey lady! Your story brought tears to my eyes for the G'ma at Cedar Point. Weight seems to be the one remaining prejudice that's still acceptable. Not that safety isn't important or that they should allow people on rides who cannot wear the safety devices. But the shame and humiliation she must have felt is just so sad.I will say a prayer for her. As usual, you saw beyond yourself that day and noticed her pain. Bless you for your thoughtfulness. We've all been there at one time or another. My moment of truth came just recently. My family has Ohio State Football season tickets, which we all use and share. I would love nothing more than to go to a game with my Dad. Not that I haven't been many times, but the opportunity to spend some time with him doing something he loves would be precious to me. As a sports fan with four daughters and no sons, Dad never pushed us to have an interest, but was so tickled when we did. I realized this year that I am just too out of shape for all of the walking and the bleacher climbing involved - not to mention horrified at the thought of the four inches of bleacher they give you to plant my ( much wider than four inch) butt on! He's 75 and I'm -well.....let's just say that I'm younger than that... and I wouldn't have been able to keep up with him!!!!!!!

I hear you on the bleachers thing. I refuse to go to the clippers ( I happen to love baseball by the way) because those darn seats in general seating are too narrow and I end up having the metal gouging into my backside the entire time. My family has gone to the last few without me and I know it just kills my hubbie to not have me there. I am praying I will be thin enough by May to go with them next year.

I KNOW ONE TIME I WAS FLYING TO LAS VEGAS. AND THE PLANE WAS PACKED AND THIS LADY SITTING NEXT TO ME COMPLAINED THAT I WAS TO BIG AND SHE COULDN'T SIT NEXT TO ME. HER DAUGHTER WAS ALSO A PLUS SIZE WOMAN. SHE MADE A BIG SCENE ON THE PLANE. I DON'T THINK I WAS EVER SO EMBARRESSED IN MY LIFE. THAT THEY TOLD THE LADY SHE COULD GET OFF THE PLANE AND FIND ANOTHER FLIGHT. THE PEOPLE AROUND ME FELT SO SORRY FOR ME. AND AT THE TIME I HAD AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THE DOCTOR IN 2 WEEKS TO GET MY WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY SCHEDULED. THAT FINALLY THEY PUT ME IN FIRST CLASS AND THE STEWARDRESS WERE ALL SO NICE AND KEPT APOLIZE TO ME. SO I KNOW HOW THIS WOMAN MUST OF FELT WITH EVERYBODY WATCHING.

Aww, I imagine that must have been a very painful situation to be in. It sounds like you had some wonderful, compassionate airline attendants. What a shame the woman couldn't have more compassion, especially considering her daughter was not tiny. You have to wonder if her daughter secretly questioned what old mommie dearest thought about her own weight problem. It just tears my heart out to hear of things like this. ~~Jaimee

Hello The same incident happened while I was in Cedar Point this past September, except it was me instead. It was the most humiliating experience I had ever went through. You are so nice to write those words of how you was hurting for the woman.. Maybe now I can get past my experience because even though I will never see any of those people I often wonder what someone may have thought seeing that they couldnt put the belt on me and told me to get off the ride. Thank you for putting that on here........ Melissa