Couple turned down for adoption over weight
Husband and wife told they can't adopt because he is too fat.
Posted: 14 January 2009
Damien Hall and wife Charlotte can't conceive children of their own, so applied to Leeds city council to become adoptive parents. The couple learnt they'd been turned down as Damien, 37, at 24st is classed as very obese.
Apparently Damien's risk of falling ill or dying is too high, so he's been asked to lose weight until his BMI, currently at 42, is down to below 40. He will undergo a further medical examination in 6 months time.
'I feel as though we were only judged on my weight and not all the other good things about us,' says Damien. 'We don't drink or smoke and we could give a child a happy and safe home.'
A council statement commenting on the decision said it 'has a legal responsibility to ensure that adopters are able to provide the best possible lifelong care'.
So what do you think?
