“You might have seen the video of the woman who slipped and fell in the store. This happened in 2012. The photo went viral after text was added and became widely shared online. Jennifer Knapp Wilkinson, after confirming that she is indeed the woman in the photo, made the following comments about her ’15 minutes of fame’: ‘Apparently, it represents two people and the text says, “These are my 15 minutes of fame. You’ve probably seen the photo. Worse yet, it makes it look like an overweight woman is falling out of her stroller because she’s too lazy to get up and buy the juice she wants.
“I suffer from a severe spinal condition in which one of my vertebrae has shifted. The most common symptoms of the condition are associated with weakness in the body and legs. For this reason, I am overweight and struggle with chronic depression. I fight my condition every day, go to the gym, but my weight remains a challenge. The photo was taken in 2012, when my legs were putting me under a lot of strain, so I used a stroller. I wanted to buy juice for my husband, as he drank a lot of it. I bent down to pick it up, but the stroller slipped.”
“I didn’t think much about the incident because I was used to the mean comments directed at me. Even though my disabilities are not visible, they are real and present. So, the next time you see photos of people being mocked, remember that you know nothing about these individuals or the challenges they face every day. Mocking someone is NEVER harmless.”
“I am not asking anyone to accept obesity, as it can lead to many other health issues. At the same time, I’m not asking anyone to complain about 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!”
