Housing agency works to accommodate 772-pound tenant

Cleveland.com ^ | 11/17/03 | The Associated Press

[mansion]

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The city's public housing agency is trying to resolve a lengthy dispute by accommodating the needs of a 772-pound tenant immobilized by her weight.

Carmen Bowen, 44, has been involved in a two-year dispute with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority over how much work must be done to help her move around her apartment.

The agency is about to provide her with a handicapped-accessible apartment with extra space to allow an oversized wheelchair to turn. Bowen lives with her 19-year-old son and a caregiver.

Still, Bowen filed a discrimination complaint, saying the agency took too long. Housing officials responded that the agency went well beyond what federal disability law requires at a cost of about $15,000.

"Her special condition requires special equipment," acting Executive Director George Phillips said last week.

The modifications include removing doors and walls, installing an automatic door operator and panic device, demolishing the existing bathroom and installing a special shower, and putting in a sidewalk to the front door. Bowen could move in next month.

In her current apartment, Bowen can't move from a medical bed in the middle of her living room.

In August, 22 firefighters and emergency medical technicians worked for 2½ hours to move Bowen from her apartment so she could have dental work. Emergency crews had to help her back when she returned. The authority widened the door in October.

Bowen does not yet have the wheelchair. The Medicaid government insurance program has not yet said whether it will pay for it.

[Kenton]

I once had a bumper sticker that read "Feed the Homeless to the Hungry".

[Porterville]

Hey, I pay taxes, I want free stuff too... let's see, yesterday I was angry at my dogs... can I get a free trainer??? Um, I need beer and a nice bottle of wine because right now I am too sober... I need the gov. to by me some booze!! And I want some movies to watch because I am bored...does that mean I have ADD???

[HIDEK6]

Seems to me that it would be cheaper to do the old, "If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, then Mohammed must come the mountain," trick.

Send the dentist there.

[mountaineer]

Her caregiver must prepare and give her food and even help her sit on a bedpan. ... "Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity," Turner said.

Seems to me Ms. Lardass is the one who's treated herself with utter disrespect through the abuse she's inflicted upon her body. Exactly how much dignity is allotted a fat person plopped on a bedpan, anyway?

[jalisco555]

I wasn once taught that a sedentary person needs 30 calories per kilo of body weight to maintain the weight. So a sedentary 70 kilo person needs to consume 2,100 calories. This 350 kilo woman therefore consumes 10,500 calories per day just for maintenance. Who can imagine eating that much day after day.

[sweetliberty]

I cannot imagine being so big that you couldn't get through a door. I can't even picture it!

[calljack]

In her current apartment, Bowen can't move from a medical bed in the middle of her living room.

Since she can't go to the kitchen this amount of food must be brought to her everyday. She has had alot of help to get to this point.

[kaktuskid]

I bet the lard ass breaks a sweat just having a bowel movement.


Not to mention the porcelain!

[jalisco555]

She has had alot of help to get to this point.

I suspect she is a very demanding person in all aspects of her life. Her "caregivers" probably just keep feeding her since it's no doubt easier than fighting with her over her food intake.

[sweetliberty]

"Now if she sued Medicaid for a gastric bypass surgery,"

Problem with that is that they won't do them on someone that heavy because of the added risks involved. She would have to lose quite a bit of weight first.

[mountaineer]

Maybe her 19-year-old son should get a job and pay for all these "necessary" improvements to the apartment (or is he also disabled through excessive caloric intake?).

[richtig_faust]

Hmmm, we could save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of the life of this miserable pile of obese pig dung if we cut 3 tines off of her fork and drilled a hole in her spoon.

[T Minus Four]

"he considered...doughnuts to be vegetables"

You mean doughnuts AREN'T vegetables? Uh oh...

[Old Professer]

She's wrong to file the complaint. But at person doesn't get to 772 pounds by 'overeating'.

Then how did she do it? Skin grafts?

[T Minus Four]

Hey! I have a modest proposal....

BWAAHAAAAHAAA!

[T Minus Four]

She's wrong to file the complaint. But at person doesn't get to 772 pounds by 'overeating'.

Then how did she do it? Skin grafts?

If you say "glands", I'll scream!

[Die_Hard Conservative Lady]

Can you say D I E T?

[contessa machiaveli]

i can't help but wonder (this will be vile and tasteless) about the size of her toilet facilities and the waste therein deposited (on numerous daily visits).
wouldn't it be elephantine?

[GeekDejure]

What sise burka does she wear? Or does she just wrap herself in a pup tent?

.

[Dimensio]

Perhaps liposuction, then? It would certainly be less expensive than trying to accomidate her at her current girth.