I have been over weight my entire life, by the time I was in 6th grade I weighed 140 pounds. I have also been very active, in middle and high school I was dancing over 25 hours a week. I danced all through college getting my BFA degree in dance performance and education. My job now is teaching dance anywhere from 10-60 hours a week depending on the time of year. I am dancing while I teach, demonstrating all of the exercises I expect my dancers to complete so my body still needs to be able to go through strenuous exercises and show good dance technique.

Because I had my birthday 2 weeks ago, I am no longer able to stay on my Mom’s insurance and I got denied my individual plan because of my BMI. I have never had any health problems (I have low blood pressure, low cholesterol etc.) so they can’t hold that against me. I am not sick very often so I’m not worried about having to go to the doctor for disease reasons. I am nervous that this is the year I will slip and break a bone in the studio and have to pay out of pocket. BlueCross Blue Shield does not care what type of life I lead, all they care about are the BMI numbers on my medical chart. Thin privilege is being granted insurance when you need it.