Sara Kruzan: Murderer Or Victim Who Acted In Self-Defense?

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

A few days ago, we received a comment on an article we posted back in April, “Teens Who Commit Murder Don’t Deserve A Second Chance.” Our article focused on the case of Quantel Lotts who was convicted of first-degree murder at 14 for the stabbing death of his then 17-year-old stepbrother and is now serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Lotts came from an extremely abusive home with drug-addicted, negligent parents and believes that his punishment is too harsh: “‘They locked me up and threw away the keys.’ [. . .] ‘They took away all hope for the future.’” (“Teens Locked Up For Life Without A Second Chance“)

Lotts’ case is one of many that prompt the question, “Should our society sentence juveniles, in particular those who came from bad homes, to life without parole?” To us, the only logical answer is, “If they commit murder, definitely.” Yes, Lotts’ parents contributed to his actions through their negligence and abuse, and they ought to be in prison for the way they treated him. Nevertheless, he still took away his stepbrother’s life and must be held responsible for his crime. Our laws are meant not only to protect our society, but also to provide justice for victims and their loved ones, and there is no justice when we make excuses on a case by case basis for murderers who have taken away the life of another human being.

In light of this argument, the comment (which links to Feministing.com: “Sara Kruzan: Life Without Parole For Killing Her Pimp“) asks how we would handle the case of Sara Kruzan, now 29, who was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole at 16 for killing “G.G.,” the pimp who repeatedly raped her and forced her into prostitution when she was only 13 years old. Like Lotts, Sara came from an abusive home with a drug-addicted mother, and when she met G.G. at 11, she looked up to the 31-year-old as a “father figure.” In just two short years, she went from making the Principal’s Honor Roll to working the streets. Watch Sara tell her story in her own words:

To us, Sara’s case is not really about whether or not our society should sentence juveniles who commit murder to life without parole; rather, it causes our society to examine the difference between murder and self-defense. Teens who commit murder deserve harsh sentences, but no one should be punished for acting in self-defense, even if these actions result in the perpetrator’s death. (Note: Legally, self-defense is not premeditated or “vigilante justice.”)

Did Sara murder G.G., or was she merely acting in self-defense? It is easy to imagine that after being raped and abused for three years, Sara felt trapped by G.G. and that she had no other way out. She was clearly without the monetary resources necessary to escape: As she said in her interview, “The girls would bring their money and give it to [G.G.]. [. . .] Everything was his.” However, the judge called her actions “well thought-out” and claimed she “lacked moral scruples,” ultimately sentencing her to life without parole. Without detailed facts of what actually transpired, we personally cannot support or condemn Sara’s conviction or sentence.

What is tragic about both of these stories is that neither of these teens would have been in the position to commit murder if their parents had only done their jobs. It is incredible how destructive bad parents can be! Parents, please take responsibility for your children and treat them with the utmost respect: The quality of their futures depends on it.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Celiac Disease & Dermatitis Herpetiformis

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

As you may have read in our latest post, I was recently diagnosed with Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) and thus also Celiac Disease (CD). I was completely shocked! It wasn’t until I met someone with CD in my late teens that I even knew the condition existed, and when I went to my dermatologist for help with an extremely itchy rash that I’d had on my hands and legs for the past several months, I had not a clue that it could be related to gluten intolerance.

Magna Sententia includes taking responsibility for your health, and CD, especially if left untreated, can damage your body in a myriad of ways: CD greatly increases your risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and is also associated with Type I Diabetes, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Crohn’s Disease, Osteoporosis, Anemia, Alopecia (hair loss), and Dental-Enamel Hypoplasia, just to name a few. Therefore, it is important for all people to be aware of CD ⁄ DH and make sure to get checked by a qualified health professional if they suspect they may be suffering from either of these disorders.

What Is Celiac Disease?

The following is taken from the Celiac Disease Foundation brochure “Celiac Disease“:

Celiac Disease (CD) is a lifelong, digestive disorder affecting children and adults. When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed. Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present.

Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with Celiac Disease. These proteins are found in ALL forms of wheat (including durum, semolina, spelt, kamut, einkorn and faro) and related grains rye, barley and triticale and MUST be eliminated.

“Classic” symptoms of CD are: “abdominal cramping, intestinal gas, distention and bloating, chronic diarrhea or constipation (or both), steatorrhea (fatty stools), anemia, weight loss with large appetite or weight gain,” fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

CD is diagnosed through antibody blood tests, and “the only treatment is the lifelong adherence to the gluten-free diet.”

What Is Dermatitis Herpetiformis?

The following is taken from the Celiac Disease Foundation brochure “Dermatitis Herpetiformis“:

Dermatitis Herpetiformis is a skin manifestation of Celiac Disease. The skin lesions of Dermatitis Herpetiformis are intensely itchy. They typically begin as groups of red bumps, often with tiny blisters on the surface of the bumps, and commonly arise on skin around the elbows, knees, buttocks, back of the neck, and scalp.

“Dermatitis Herpetiformis” is a descriptive name for the disease because “dermatitis” means inflammation of skin as manifested by redness and “herpetiformis” means similar to herpes which shows clusters of lesions. The disease is not related to herpes virus infection at all. An American dermatologist, Louis Duhring, first described the disease in 1884, and, in the past, it was called Duhring’s Disease.

The diagnosis is made by skin biopsy and blood testing.

Avoidance of all gluten is important to control the disease and prevent skin lesions from forming and to prevent the possible development of lymphoma. In addition to avoiding dietary gluten, medications may be used to help treat Dermatitis Herpetiformis. Two common medications are Dapsone and Sulfapyridine, both sulfa-based drugs.

Interesting Facts About Celiac Disease & Dermatitis Herpetiformis

• The University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research estimates that as many as 1 in 133 Americans has CD, making it one of the most common genetic diseases.
• CD is an autoimmune disease, not a food (wheat) allergy. Food allergies do not result in the body attacking itself and can improve with time; CD causes the immune system to attack the small intestine and is for life.
• Because the onset of CD requires the genetic predisposition, as well as an environmental stimulus ⁄ trigger (similar to the onset of schizophrenia), the onset of CD can occur at any age.
• Although anyone can get CD, it is more common in people of Northern European decent.
• It is speculated that CD is a result of humans going from a nomadic to an agrarian lifestyle and not being able to adequately evolve.
• All people with DH have CD, but only roughly 20 percent of those with CD have DH.
• Individuals with DH may or may not have classic symptoms of CD.
• Researchers believe that gluten can’t pass through skin, so in general people with CD only need to worry about ingesting gluten. However, DH may be aggravated by hair products, lotions, cosmetics, etc. that contain gluten.
• Numbers of autistic children have improved on a gluten-free ⁄ casein-free diet. (Casein is the protein found in dairy products.)

Resources For Celiac Disease & Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Although I realize I have only scratched the surface of CD ⁄ DH, I have found a few resources to be immensely helpful: Living Gluten-Free For Dummies by Danna Korn, The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Comfort Foods by Bette Hagman, and Celiac.com.

If you have any tips for me or would like to clarify or correct what I have found in my research, please feel free to contact us or make a comment. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Ellie Sherise
Co-Creator of Magna Sententia
Co-Author of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.

President Obama’s Speech Promotes Student Responsibility

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

Yesterday, President Obama gave his controversial back-to-school speech. (“Obama Urges Students To Work Hard, Stay In School“) The uproar over its possible content started with “a proposed lesson plan created by the Education Department to accompany the address”:

An initial version of the plan recommended that students draft letters to themselves discussing “what they can do to help the president.” The letters “would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals,” the plan stated.

After pressure from conservatives, the White House distributed a revised version encouraging students to write letters about how they can “achieve their short-term and long-term education goals.” [Education Secretary Arne] Duncan said Sunday that the passage was poorly worded.

Whether you believe the concerns over the speech were completely valid or political jockeying, the end result was an excellent, much-needed reinforcement of student responsibility. Please take the time to read or watch the address, and if you have children, have them do so as well. Here is an excerpt we found particularly spot on:

But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world – and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.

And that’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself.

Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer. And you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is. That’s the opportunity an education can provide.

Tonight at 8 p.m. E.T., President Obama is going to address Congress about his plans for health care reform. (“Obama’s Speech A Health Care ‘Game Changer’?“) It is every American’s duty to stay informed on these issues, as the decisions of today will affect every generation to come. Please listen to both sides of the aisle with a discerning ear, and use the facts (not rhetoric) to make up your own mind.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Update: Michael Jackson Died Of Propofol Overdose

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

We finally know the cause of Michael Jackson’s death: “According to court documents released Monday, Dr. Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, the chief medical examiner-coroner for Los Angeles County, concluded Jackson died of an overdose of propofol,” “a powerful anesthetic.” (“Sleepless Night Preceded Jackson’s Death“) Even though Dr. Sathyavagiswaran’s conclusion confirms what was commonly suspected, for countless fans and admirers, the finality of this news is quite sad.

The propofol, along with doses of Valium, “the anti-anxiety drug lorazepam (known by its brand name, Ativan) and midazolam (known as Versed)” where all administered to Jackson by his personal physician, cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray, within his final 12 hours. In addition, it seems that Murray waited for a questionable period of time before calling 911 after he noticed Jackson had stopped breathing, and although no criminal charges have yet been filed, many speculate that Murray will soon be arrested for his role in Jackson’s death.

Whether or not Murray’s claims are true that “the singer even called [propofol] his ‘milk’ because of its milky appearance” and on the night of his death, “Jackson was repeatedly asking — even demanding — that Murray give him more propofol to help him sleep,” Murray is still responsible for his actions: As the medical professional who took the Hippocratic Oath, he obviously knew the dangers of what he was doing and should face the consequences.

Nevertheless, it is truly Michael Jackson who is ultimately responsible for his own death. According to Magna Sententia, we all must take responsibility for our actions and our health. This doesn’t mean that we’re problem-free; rather, it means that when we do find ourselves engaging in unhealthy behavior, we take action and get the help we need to overcome our problems. No one is perfect, but there is hope for everyone who is willing to change.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

[For more on Michael Jackson, please see "Michael Jackson Was Many Things, But A 'Good Father'?"]

Michael Vick Doesn’t Deserve A Second Chance

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

“Once the NFL’s highest-paid player” as quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick was recently released after “[serving] 18 months of a 23-month sentence in federal prison” for “conspiracy and running a dog-fighting ring that brutally killed and tortured canines.” (“Michael Vick’s Second Chance With the Eagles; Now What?“)

What is life like now for Vick, “a man who hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds while he laughed”? The Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a “$1.6 million one-year deal with the team, with an option for a second year.” Not only will he “be able to participate in team practices, meetings and two pre-season games,” but there is also the possibility that on “week six of the regular season,” he will become “eligible for full reinstatement.”

With this decision, the Eagles have made a huge mistake that negatively affects our entire society: Like it or not, because of their high profile playing football and advertising products, professional football players are seen as role models, as well as representatives of America and its culture. Vick does not deserve this honor in any way, shape, or form, and by signing him, the Eagles have put a disgrace to the sport (and humankind) in one of their team’s most important positions.

Being a highly-paid quarterback in the NFL really is an honor: Given the caliber of talent, ability, and level of sportsmanship in the NFL, a spot at the top of the pay scale is quite an honor. Further, the position of quarterback carries the responsibility of team leadership, also an honor. Sadly, many of America’s professional athletes do not appreciate the honor of their positions, conducting themselves, both on and off the field, in a manner unworthy of respect. It is time America held her professional athletes responsible for their actions, and it is time these athletes’ behavior reflected the privilege of their prominent positions.

In his attempt to win back public favor, Michael Vick has conducted a number of interviews, including one last Sunday night on 60 Minutes. During these interviews, Vick repeats various versions of statements like, “I know I made mistakes and have done some terrible things and made a horrible mistake. [. . .] And, now, I want to be a part of the solution and not the problem.” Unfortunately for Vick, these assertions come off as completely unbelievable. His “apologies” appear forced, regurgitated, and extremely disingenuous, as though he isn’t sorry for the disgusting acts he has committed, but rather that he got caught.

According to Magna Sententia, we are all responsible for our behavior and must face the consequences of our choices. Because he completed his prison term, Michael Vick is a free man who should be allowed to earn a living, but not in a public position that influences society and represents our country.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Adult Children Are Not Responsible For Their Parents’ Bills

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

Shocking, but true: you could be held liable for your parent’s financial obligations.

“‘Filial support’ or ‘filial responsibility’ — the term often used to describe an adult child’s obligation to a parent” has become the legal basis for lawsuits brought by nursing homes against adult children for their parents’ unpaid nursing home bills. (“Pay Your Parents’ Bills Or Else“)

The idea that adult children should be held legally responsible for their parents’ welfare dates back to 17th-century England and carried over to colonial America. Today, some form of filial support remains on the books in 30 states but, [. . .] only Pennsylvania and South Dakota have recent track records of health care providers using the law to sue patients’ children. It’s unclear whether nursing facilities in other states will ever employ the law in a similar fashion.

There aren’t words strong enough to adequately express our opposition to these laws and the idea of “filial responsibility.” According to Magna Sententia, you — and only you — are responsible for yourself once you reach 18 years of age. You are responsible for the financial decisions you make during your adult years: whether or not you save, live within your means, or prepare for your retirement years. How you go about doing this (or if you do this at all) is your business. If you fall on hard times and are not adequately prepared, it is no one’s fault but your own.

Please understand: If you want to help your parents in their time of need, by all means, do it. Forcing you to come to your parents’ aid, however, is entirely different: To legally burden you, the adult child, with your parents’ bills is outrageous! You didn’t make your parents’ financial decisions for them, so why should you be liable for their debts?

Also, consider the numbers of adult children who are estranged from their parents for good reason. Many times, this estrangement is the result of years and years of mistreatment, and this type of legal obligation would be an incredible burden on those who, in our opinion, have already suffered enough.

“Filial support” or “filial responsibility” is not a matter of taking care of your parents or loving them enough to help them out. It’s about making individuals responsible for something that isn’t their responsibility.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Michelle Obama’s Words Of Wisdom For New College Students

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

Yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama delivered many words of wisdom to the 2009 graduating class of Washington Math Science Technical (WMST) High School when she spoke at their commencement ceremony. (“Michelle Obama To High School Grads: ‘You Are More Than Ready’“) Regardless of your age, if you are starting or returning to college this fall, please take a few moments to listen to Ms. Obama’s heartfelt speech.

Living according to Magna Sententia means taking responsibility for every area of our lives, including our education. Ms. Obama’s encouragement for students to get to know their professors, ask questions, and believe in themselves is so important because these are the first steps in becoming successful as we pursue our higher education. In addition, her advice to participate in the entire college experience, learn a foreign language, and get to know people different from ourselves is vital to understanding our world and our place in it.

Higher education can be scary, and at times “we all have doubts” about whether we are up to the task, but as Ms. Obama said, “In the end, we are all ready.” Education is the key to our future, and the most important element for success is perseverance.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Driving While Polishing Nails, Lora Hunt Kills Motorcyclist

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

In today’s world, we almost feel compelled to multitask if we want to get everything done. We have commitments to our employers, families, and communities, and there never seems to be enough time in the day to do what we have to do, let alone what we want to do. However, accidents happen when we hurry around and do not fully pay attention to what we are doing. We must all remember to slow down:

Last weekend, Lora Hunt, 48, was “painting her nails” while driving and failed to see “a traffic light [turn] from green to yellow,” hitting motorcyclist and “suburban mother” Anita Zaffke, 56, who was already stopped at the light. “Zaffke died from multiple internal injuries and a spine fracture.” (“Driver Polishing Nails Kills Motorcyclist“)

Unfortunately, Hunt’s irresponsible actions are “fairly typical.” Sgt. Chris Thompson of Lake County Sheriff’s office “often sees drivers doing all sorts of distracting activities while in motion. ‘It’s not just painting nails,’ said Thompson. ‘It’s putting make up on the face, texting, and people playing around with radios and dialing on their cell phones.’”

Abiding by Magna Sententia, each one of us takes responsibility for our behavior: We must all make sure to never drive distracted. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that what happened to Hunt will not happen to you: “An April 2006 research report on distraction and crash factors released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the most recent data of its kind, found that 70 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved ’some form of driver inattention within three seconds before the event.’”

Our hearts go out to Zaffke’s son Greg, the rest of her family, and friends, as well as to Hunt (whose attorney describes as “very distraught”) and her family. Let’s take this tragic accident and honor Zaffke’s death by slowing down and paying attention to the task at hand.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Important Resources Regarding The Swine Influenza

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

The Swine Flu has captured the attention of the world, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an extremely informative website “Swine Influenza and You” that answers common questions about the disease, as well as provides much needed guidance for treatment and prevention:

The Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen.

In late March and early April 2009, cases of human infection with swine influenza A (H1N1) viruses were first reported in Southern California and near San Antonio, Texas. Other U.S. states have reported cases of swine flu infection in humans and cases have been reported internationally as well. An updated case count of confirmed swine flu infections in the United States is kept at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm.

CDC has determined that this swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human. However, at this time, it is not known how easily the virus spreads between people.

The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick with influenza, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Dr. Mehmet Oz also discussed ways to protect yourself from the Swine Flu on the April 28, 2009 edition of Larry King Live, recommending that we take “some proactive steps in [our] own health — lifestyle changes. [. . .] For example, exercise is the most important way you can prevent a virus, management of your sleep and the stress in your life, even eating the kind of leafy green vegetables and foods your mother told you were good for you, together with the chicken soup we know works — these are smart, intelligent steps, even if you’re exposed to the virus, to prevent yourself from getting it.”

Of course, there will always be situations that are beyond our control. Nevertheless, following Magna Sententia, each one of us takes responsibility for our health, which means being proactive and giving ourselves the best possible chance of staying healthy.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.

Another 700-Pound Woman, Again No Personal Responsibility

The Axiom Of Responsibility

Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior

By Taking Responsibility

For Themselves And Their Children

Another Texas woman is in the news because she requires medical treatment but weighs 700 pounds and cannot leave her home. (Watch “700-Pound Woman’s Cry For Help“) Today, the woman is Karen Ferguson of Tarrant County; seven months ago, she was Susie Alonso of Bosque County.

For those of you who felt our article on Ms. Alonso, “Emotional Pornography Alert: ABC’s ‘700lb Woman Stranded At Home,’” was too harsh, we did not mean to suggest that we expect everyone to be perfect. On the contrary, no one is perfect, life happens, and sometimes when we are hurting, we try to comfort ourselves in ways that hurt us even more (e.g. food, alcohol, drugs, sex, starvation, cutting, and the list goes on and on.) Moreover, a reality of life is disease, which can be completely our fault, partially our fault, or absolutely no one’s fault.

In spite of all this, the hard truth is that if we want our lives to improve, then regardless of cause or fault, our problems have to be our problem. If we don’t take responsibility for ourselves and make necessary changes in our lives, nothing changes (or things only get worse). This is why the Axiom of Responsibility is vital to Magna Sententia. We all have to be proactive and do the best we can with what life gives us.

In stark contrast, Ms. Ferguson blames her current situation on “her diabetes.” (“700-Pound Woman Pleads For Help“) Sorry, but diabetes isn’t the only reason she “hasn’t been out of her trailer for a year and very seldom leaves the large chair built to bear her weight.” She didn’t just “get to be bigger and bigger.” She actively contributed to her problems by eating so much that she weighs 700 pounds and “needs people to help her get to a portable toilet, which is only two steps from her chair.”

What is more upsetting is the way Ms. Ferguson now expects society to take care of her:

Ferguson said she’s been turned down by nursing homes who claim problems with Medicare. Now she fears she’ll lie [in her home], unable to move, her bed sores festering and her body deteriorating.

“That’s the worst thing I could ever imagine,” Ferguson said. “Because why would it need to be that way? If there’s not a cure, you know what I’m saying, don’t just let someone lay there and die. So I’ve asked them about rehabilitation. But there’s too many red tapes. But when it boils down to it, it wasn’t red tape it was my size.”

As adults, we can’t expect others to rescue us when we hurt ourselves.

A final point: when reporters use words like “prisoner” and “trapped” in these stories, they only exacerbate our society’s victimization mentality. These terms suggest that Ms. Ferguson and Ms. Alonso never had a choice or free will. They did.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society

Disclaimer
Anna Sherise and Ellie Sherise are not licensed or trained healthcare professionals, counselors, or financial advisors. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of the care and advice given to you by your physician, counselor, other healthcare professional, or financial advisor. Sherise Media LLC, its members and representatives, specifically disclaim all responsibility for any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of this article and/or website.