14 DAY TRIAL // Although the case of the Chawner family from Blackburn, UK, perhaps fails to ring a bell with most people, it has managed to cause quite a stir in the British media, and things have just been taken to a whole new level with the latest statements coming from its members. The mother, father and two daughters, known for being obese and wannabe celebrities, are now asking for more government money saying they’re both too busy to diet and too fat to work, the Daily Mail informs.
The Chawners are currently already living on government assistance, which consists of incapacity benefits and aids for conditions derived from being obese, but the money they receive is simply not enough for them to afford their calorie-laden lifestyle, the four say. On the basis that they “deserve more,” the Chawners are asking in excess of the £22,508 yearly, tax-free aids they’re receiving at the moment.
Emma Chawner is 19 and, in 2007, caused quite a frenzy in the media with her two disastrous appearances on two of the most popular talent competitions on TV. She is now training to be a hairdresser. Her older sister, Samantha (21) has no future plans, as neither do her parents, who haven’t worked in 11 years, the aforementioned media outlet reports. Moreover, despite the fact that they spend most of their time divided between watching TV (which is borrowed from a friend and not their property) and napping, all four obese people share that they deserve money to continue living as they have been so far.
“What we get barely covers the bills and puts food on the table. It’s not our fault we can’t work. We deserve more.” Mr. Chawner tells Closer Magazine, as quoted by the Mail, adding, “We love TV. It’s on from the moment we get up. Often I’m so tired from watching TV I have to have a nap.” Mrs. Chawner is of the same opinion, saying it’s not really their fault they’re all obese, as it’s something that runs in their genes. Plus, they can’t afford eating healthy food, which is yet another reason behind their impressive weight.
“We have cereal for breakfast, bacon butties for lunch and microwave pies with mashed potato or chips for dinner. We all love nibbling on biscuits. I once bought some pears, but they tasted funny. All that healthy food, like fruit and veg, is too expensive. We’re fat because it’s in our genes. Our whole family is overweight.” Mrs. Chawner explains. Even if they did consider dieting, they’re too busy to do it, as Emma believes, which only leaves the option of asking for more money from the government to make ends meet.
Although the case in itself would mean absolutely nothing for the media, British publications are already up in arms asking for specific regulations that would prevent such occurrences from ever appearing again. With thousands more Brits asking for incapacity benefits each year on account of their weight (which allegedly prevents them from taking a full-time job), as figures recently published reveal, the last thing the economy needs right now is for this to become common practice and taxpayers suffer the consequences.