Everyone Who Knew Her Laughed At

Viral Image, Real Struggles

In 2012, a photo of a woman falling out of a store stroller went viral, often used online to mock obesity. That woman, Jennifer Knapp Wilkinson, later identified herself and spoke out about the real story behind the image.

More Than a Meme

“These are my 15 minutes of fame,” Wilkinson said. “You’ve probably seen the picture. The worst thing about it is that she makes people think that a fat woman falls out of a stroller because she is too lazy to get out… to get the juice she wants to buy.”

The truth, however, was far more complex. Wilkinson suffers from a severe spinal condition where one vertebra has shifted, causing pain, leg weakness, and limited mobility. “Even if you can’t see my disabilities, they are real and they are there,” she said.

Living with Disability

The viral photo was taken on a day when Wilkinson was experiencing intense leg pain. She used a stroller for support while shopping for juice for her husband. “I leaned over to pick it up, but the stroller slipped,” she recalled. “I didn’t think about the incident because I got used to people making malicious comments about me.”

She also struggles with obesity and chronic depression. “I joined a gym, but my weight is still a struggle.”

A Plea for Compassion

Wilkinson isn’t asking for pity. “I do not ask anyone to accept obesity… At the same time, I do not ask anyone to feel sorry for me.” What she wants, she says, is simple: “Compassion, understanding, and respect for another human being. I am a person – please treat me as such!”