Costco Handicapped Carts

I went to Costco with my Husband on Thursday.  I recently had surgery on my foot and cannot walk far due to the severity of the surgery so I wanted to get a handicap cart and there were none available.  As I waited a cart pulled up with a SMO woman on it.  I thanked her and got on the cart.  The lady at the door told me this was one of their new carts.  As I rode away I see a sign on it that says the "new" person capacity is now 600 lbs and cargo weight is an additional 200lbs.  It actually saddened me that now the carts are more designed for obese people than actual handicapped people.  I wonder what the future holds for us as a nation with more and more encouragement to just stay overweight.  Of course all through the store there were employees trying to get us to eat samples of candy, lasagna, ice cream, burritos, soda etc.   After our shopping trip my husband wanted to get a Costco "dog"  and I see that its only a 1.50 for a polish sausage hot dog or a regular one with a soda.  They are huge of course and many people mostly men were getting two.  I saw nothing I could eat so I got a vitamin water.  As we left and I took my cart back there was another lady waiting for it and yes, she was SMO too.  I wanted to hug her and tell her she doesn't have to settle for that but of course as my husband says, "you can't save everyone". 

I see and experience the same things at my Costco. I'm tempted to say something but don't.

As for the samples, the cheese samples have introduced me to some delicious cheese I would not have normally bought.

I agree about the cheese!   It seems like Saturdays are the worse as they just really throw the junk food at you.  My granddaughter came with me one Saturday and as we were leaving she asked me if she could have her birthday party there!  She thought it would be fun if everyone could get all the samples then she could pick out a toy....thats how much food was available there for free. 

Funny but true.

When  I shop there on weekends with my kids they get filled on the samples. We never have lunch after Costco because they're too full to eat anything else. They especially like the smoothies the blender guy makes. My wife even bought the blender.

I debated about posting but I feel I must. Your statement "obese people than actual handicapped people" is misinformed. Obesity is classified as a medical condition and it's resulting immobility classifies a person suffering with this disease as handicapped. Obesity is a complex issue and even with intervention such as WLS, some people still struggle to get to a healthy weight. Personally, I am glad that stores like Costco, Safeway, etc provide those carts. When I was at my heaviest I could walk no more than 30 feet. Costco does sell healthy foods too! The shame I felt for having to rely upon carts and other mobility devices when it was obvious that obesity was causing my handicap made me feel even worse. For me, that emotional aspect just fueled my disordered eating. I know I was being judged.

It's easy to become arrogant once one has freed themself from MO so, I think it's important to cultivate compassion (and maybe you have?) for those who are not ready for WLS or not able to get it due to other issues. Think about yourself before you committed to this journey, how would you have responded to someone suggesting WLS to you? It's none of our business really to evangelize. If you are asked, that's different. Then that person is ready to hear you, otherwise don't preach. I am sure you did not enjoy being discriminated against when you were in her shoes.

I think you misunderstand my post.  I am not arguing that overweight people are not handicapped.  Of course we are.  My statement was a sad one  that no longer do people associate the carts with being for people who have crippling illnesses like arthritis or CP.  The prevalent and promanent disease is obesity, (and that IS sad) otherwise the handicapped carts would not be rated to carry a total of 800lbs with seats 2 feet wide that I filled easily less  than a year ago.  I also remembered the shame I wore because I knew what people where thinking and what some people actually said to me.  I do not believe I am arrogant and compassionless rather quite the opposite.  Just because I wanted to give her a hug and tell her things could be different doesn't mean I did.  I have never evangelized or discriminated against anyone regardless of weight, color, or religion.  Everyone comes to terms with their vices and illnesses on their own terms and if you knew me better you would know how much and why I believe that.

And even sadder is when people assume your weight is the handicap. I have to use one because I have a lung disease and can't walk but 10-20 feet before I run out of air. However everyone assumes it's because I'm over weight and I get the "looks" that I shouldn't be using the cart just because I'm too lazy to get healthy. I gained my weight after my lungs went bad but if my lungs were OK I'd be fine walking the whole length of the store. I guess we should all be careful of what we assume.

I absolutely agree with you.  I have COPD in addition to a failing liver, I look very healthy on the outside but I am dying in slow increments.  Part of the reason for me having this WLS is so I will be approved for a transplant when the time comes.  If you get a chance, read a book called "The Spoon Theory"  its a really good read about people with chronic illness that for all intents and purposes look great on the outside but are very sick on the inside.  Great book.

It's just one of those things where you have to thank God for your awesome opportunity and just educate those that He sends your way and any opportunity to share your experience.

I can really understand your passion, especially after having an awesome chance like this, but we truly can't save the world or those who don't want to be saved. It took me 10 years to make my decision and regardless of the number of people I knew that had surgery and had awesome results, I was not swayed.

It simply wasn't my time and now it is. I too wonder why people would allow themselves to keep suffering from morbid obesity or super morbid obesity when there is a wonderful, safe procedure such as VSG that would allow them to manage their weight. However, that's easier said than done when you are healed, well and successful.

I agree, I never talk to anyone about WLS unless asked.  No one will ask because no one knows except a few close family.  The thing about it is that in some cases people have had hideous experiences with WLS and it would be my luck that I would rave about it and that person would have the bad experience and make me feel responsible for encouraging them.  The only person I have encouraged is my daughter in law who was being talked into a band and I feel strongly about that so I introduced her to OH and had her read the information about the different types of surgery.  She is MO and such a wonderful person who wants to be active and enjoy her grandkids but can't.  I know she will find the right surgery for herself when its time.