Americana: Weighty Issue

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Barbara and Gordon Ray, of Madison, Wis., want to adopt a child. They thought this would not be too difficult. Their doctors had told them it was very unlikely they could have a child of their own. When the two 28-year-olds applied to the state Health and Social Services Department, Mrs. Ray, who is 5 ft. 9 in. and weighed 210 Ibs., was told she had to lose weight. Her obesity was a health problem, explained the state physician who examined her. Mr. Ray, a shipping and mail clerk at the University of Wisconsin who is 6 ft. 2 in. and weighs 220 Ibs., also had to lose weight, the state social worker said.

So Mrs. Ray went on a diet, and lost 20 Ibs. in three months. That was still not enough, the department said, and suggested she take off an additional 20 Ibs. Infuriated, the Rays made their problem public. State Senator Peter Bear openly criticized the department's ruling, and the state legislature decided to investigate. Finally, Social Services officials relented and suspended the informal guidelines on obesity.

The Rays still have to see if they meet other requirements to be adoptive parents, but they are proud of their victory over bureaucratic rules they consider unfeeling and discriminatory. "I'm happy we could do some good for other so-called fat people," says Gordon, who never lost a pound.