I did have my vent... and it was loud!

I start tonight’s blog by saying happy birthday to my Mum :) if it weren’t for her, I would not be here!  I hope you had a wonderful day xo

We went to the Pancake Parlour for Dinner and I think Mum enjoyed herself :) I SO wanted Cottage fries.  It was strange going there and not having them - well, anything other than my protein shake for that matter!  I didn't want to risk eating and not having it go down.

So, today I had my PT.  My Car had other plans. I backed out the drive way and suddenly, there was nothing!  I had to get Brad to push the Car up to the nature strip.  He put some petrol in it and it was right to go.  By that time, I’d already cancelled my PT and reorganised it for tomorrow morning at 6 before work.  My left calf has settled down.  It is not sore at all.  And my blister has gone too so, we’re right to go in just under 7 hours.  Eeek.

I did what I promised I would do and I wrote to MX about their ‘vent your spleen’ section on Friday (I’ll have to scan my copy so that you can have a read).  I sent them the following…

I am fat.  Well, in most people’s eyes I am fatter than fat.  And this time last year, I would have probably been one of the fattest people you’d see as I used to weigh 243 kilograms.  Medically, that makes me ‘super obese’.  And In just under a year, I have lost just over 60 kilograms.  I’m still fat.  And in most people’s eyes, I am still fatter than fat and yes -I am still classified as being ‘super obese’.  I am also a Metro and VLine Passenger and I am also a regular reader of MX and as a result of my weight, I have been victim to countless hurtful and unprovoked attacks.  And so have many other people who are over an ‘acceptable’ size in societies eyes.

Despite the incredible amount of weight that I have lost (and am continuing to lose) , much to some peoples disgust, I take up 1 and a bit of a seat on the train (depends what style of train we’re talking as some seats are bigger than others).  I am fully aware of the fact that I take up a bit more room than others so this is how I do things to accommodate you.  And when I say you, I am referring to those who write into ‘vent your spleen’ whinging about how fat people and how rude, inconsiderate and unthoughtful they are.

I catch the 6.31am VLine train from Melton to North Melbourne and from there I go to Melbourne Central.  I don’t need to start work until 8.30am but I catch the earlier train so that I get a ‘guilt free’ seat.  By saying that, I mean a place that I can sit down without being made to feel bad about taking up that little bit of extra room at a time where there are plenty of seats available.  On the way home, I catch a train from Melbourne Central to North Melbourne and then a train to Melton.  If I can get a ‘guilt free seat’, great.  If not, I stand as I am fully aware that others will get on the train and 2 people can sit down in place of my one.

I’m not one of these fat people who stand to the left side of the escalators – I walk up them and probably faster than most people do!  I make sure that I hold my bag close to my body whilst standing on trains when we’re packed in like a tin of sardines so that others can get past and if the train is too full, I don’t bother getting on at all as once again, I am aware of the fact I take up more room than most. 

I always make sure that I wear headphones in my ears with my music blaring (not too loud for those of you who can’t stand being able to hear other people’s music!) but, loud enough so I can’t hear the snide remarks that are made about my weight by others.  I also go through the big barriers when presenting my ticket so that people don’t laugh at the fact how I only just squeeze through the small one.  I generally get picked on for my weight once a week.  Sometimes more.  And I’ve had enough.

When I catch public transport, my mind isn’t on where I am going or how late the train was – it’s constantly about how I can make others feel comfortable so that in return, I don’t get picked on, bullied or harassed for the fact that I am bigger than most.  So when I read the constant generalised comments in ‘vent your spleen’ like the ones on Friday the 1st of July 2011, I prepare myself for more frequent attacks as for some reason, some people feel as though once this topic is discussed at such length (which it is several times a year), they feel a sense of entitlement (and perhaps they feel empowered) to confront me about my right to be on the train at all.  And it’s not nice.  I shouldn’t have to buy 2 tickets on the train.  Perhaps Metro should make bigger seats?  Maybe we should revert back to the ‘old days’ where one type of person sits in one carriage and others sit in a different one?  Are you starting to get the hint that this is heading along the lines of discrimination? 

I’m not saying that everyone has been bullied into being as courteous as I am but, before picking on someone for their weight, have a think about what might be going through their head.  You don’t know anything about them.  You don’t know why they are like the way they are.  It might be due to a medical reason.  Regardless of the reason as to why they are overweight, they might be like me – they’ve just lost a third of their excess weight so that they can live a little longer and feel a bit healthier and cautious of every move they make to avoid being picked on but, then again, they might not be.  Either way, they have just as much right to be on the train as you do.  And they also have the right to be treated with respect, consideration and equality. 

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know of my issues that I have regarding Public Transport let alone the fact that I am constantly picked on and bullied for no other reason other than the fact that I am overweight.  I’ve had enough so, that is why I decided to take a stand.

I was contacted by a Journalist at MX and she’s going to write something up.  They’ coming out tomorrow to take a photo and hopefully, it will be in tomorrow’s MX.  I shall grab a copy and scan it for those of you who are not local.  It’s about time someone stood up for people who are overweight.  If someone’s gonna do it, it may as well be me.

As far as I am aware, they’re mentioning a link to my blog and also information on my stair climb which is great as well. 

I’ve been referred to as brave several times today.  It’s not bravery that’s driven me.  It’s the simple fact that I am over being bullied and discriminated against.  Hey, it may not make a difference but who knows.  If people don’t like me taking up one and a tiny bit chairs, perhaps they’d prefer it if I sat on their lap?

And it’s not just people like myself who take up too much room on the train – people with Guitars, surf boards, prams, bikes, cat carriers (sorry, Cozi xo) – there are several different types of people with many reasons as to why they may take up room and then be put in the same box as someone like myself where they should buy an extra ticket as some suggest should happen. 

Stay tuned :)