Calling someone “fat” can be a hurtful insult. But why is that?
This question came up when a mother named Allison shared her story about a recent swimming trip with her children. When her daughter called her fat, 30-year-old Allison had a clever response, and her message is now spreading quickly online.
Allison Kimmey began dieting when she was just 14 years old. She managed to stay at a size two to four through graduate school, but it was tough, and she wasn’t happy. Three years ago, at age 27, Allison reached a size eight and realized she would be much happier if she stopped fighting against her weight gain.
To motivate herself, Allison started an Instagram account, @allisonkimmey, where she shares pictures and inspirational messages. Her body positivity spreads joy and encourages her followers, but her important message doesn’t always reach everyone.
**Me:** “Actually, everyone, every single person in the world has fat. But each of us has different amounts.”
**Her brother:** “Oh right! I have some to protect my big muscles! But you have more than me.”
**Me:** “Yes, that’s true. Some people have a lot, and others don’t have much. But that doesn’t mean one person is better than the other. Do you both understand?”
**Both:** “Yes, mama.”
**Me:** “So can you repeat what I said?”
**Them:** “Yes! I shouldn’t say someone is fat because you can’t just be fat, but everyone HAS fat, and it’s okay to have different fat.”
**Me:** “Exactly right!”
Not only did Allison want to teach her children how to talk to others, but she also felt it was important to spread the message that everyone is equal, no matter their body shape. Now, her post on Instagram has gone viral.
“If I shame my children for saying it, then I’m proving that it’s an insulting word and continuing the stigma that being fat is unworthy, gross, comical, and undesirable,” writes Allison.
Woman Swerves To Miss Trash Bag In Road, Looks Closer And Gets The Chills
An Unexpected Meeting on a Different Route
Even minor adjustments to our daily routine can have a big impact. This was the case for Kentucky teacher Malissa Sergent Lewis, who one summer morning in 2016 decided on the spur of the moment to take an alternative route to work.
In an attempt to go to her elementary school more quickly, Malissa, who was running late, chose to take a side route rather than the main highway. She had no idea how much this little diversion would affect her day.
Malissa saw an odd sight as she drove along the desolate road: an abandoned trash bag. But this was no regular bag—it appeared to be in motion.
Malissa was forced by curiosity to look into it more. She noticed that someone had purposefully tied the bag tight as she cautiously approached it. She cautiously tore open a corner of the bag, only to find a touching surprise within.
A puppy was inside the sack, and as soon as it spotted light, it began to eagerly wag its tail. Malissa was astounded by what she saw. For an indefinite amount of time, the puppy had been abandoned in the middle of the road and kept inside a trash bag.
A Heartfelt Reaction
Unable to ignore the defenseless puppy, Malissa made the decision to take it to work. After her son eventually brought the dog home, they went to the vet to make sure it was healthy.
Malissa tried everything to figure out how the puppy got into the bag by the side of the road, but she was unable. She got in touch with animal control because she was afraid it would be lost or stolen. Remarkably, nobody had claimed ownership of the puppy or reported it missing.
With a great deal of compassion, Malissa and her family decided to give the puppy the love and care it deserved by adopting it. Malissa, though, was unable to understand the callousness of someone who would commit such a heinous deed.
An Unexpected Development
Malissa thought back on the event and realized that she would never have found the abandoned puppy if she had carried out her usual routine that day. This coincidental meeting changed the story, sparing the dog from an otherwise terrible outcome.
The tale of Malissa’s generosity serves as a reminder of the amazing people who give their all to better the lives of mistreated and abandoned animals. Their commitment and kindness make the world a happier and better place for these defenseless animals.
To honor Malissa and those who go above and beyond to provide love and hope to animals in need, please spread the word about this story.
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