Former World's Heaviest Man Has New Life Mission

Manuel Uribe, who once weighed a half ton but has slimmed down to about 700 pounds, celebrates his 43rd birthday on Wednesday with a simple wish for the coming year: to be able to stand on his own two feet to get married.

I'm not sure which is more shocking, the fact that he weighs around 700lbs, or the fact that he has already lost over 500.

Uribe said his weight problem spiraled out of control after he moved to the United States for a few years in 1988 and indulged in a nonstop diet of junk food and soft drinks.

I doubt that diet alone could have these results. The article alludes to a botched surgery, and I would have to think other health problems may have contributed to his state. Also, at some point, his family and/or caregivers must bear some responsibility for continuing to enable such massive weight gain.

I cannot imagine the extreme difficulty and isolation that an existence such as this would bring. Fortunately, it seems like he is turning it around. Hopefully he can return to a normal life very soon.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25085766/