Without Legs
I am in a continued argument with a prosthetics doctor who thinks I shouldn't encourage amputees to live a life without legs. This is my reply:
"I'm glad you brought up the point that prosthetics are a tool. Just as I see them as a tool. I use them everyday at work and sometimes if I go to play pool or something that requires legs. But just in the way someone wears shoes to hike and some to jog I feel there are times I use a skateboard and wheelchairs which are better suited. I like you are saying I am living half a live without legs when in fact I live a more full life. Just because I put on legs doesn't make me a more complete man. I am complete. It's about loving myself. If someone has self esteem issues maybe strapping some legs on makes them feel good. I go out with or without them depending on what I need to do. So the comfort comes from the same way someone may take off shoes. At the end of the day prosthetics are just shoes and I like to feel comfortable. If you think I need to experience legs a different way maybe I'll visit your office someday but it doesn't change the way I experience my life and I would rather encourage people to love their body then put faith in some artificial limb. I still take them off to swim, shower, have sex and sleep every night. It's more important that I love me then worry about my "shoes". I live a varied life and I like being on varied levels. Ignoring this is almost like being in denial. I don't think because I put on prosthetics I am any better, they just makes me taller. I am the same person either way."
"I'm glad you brought up the point that prosthetics are a tool. Just as I see them as a tool. I use them everyday at work and sometimes if I go to play pool or something that requires legs. But just in the way someone wears shoes to hike and some to jog I feel there are times I use a skateboard and wheelchairs which are better suited. I like you are saying I am living half a live without legs when in fact I live a more full life. Just because I put on legs doesn't make me a more complete man. I am complete. It's about loving myself. If someone has self esteem issues maybe strapping some legs on makes them feel good. I go out with or without them depending on what I need to do. So the comfort comes from the same way someone may take off shoes. At the end of the day prosthetics are just shoes and I like to feel comfortable. If you think I need to experience legs a different way maybe I'll visit your office someday but it doesn't change the way I experience my life and I would rather encourage people to love their body then put faith in some artificial limb. I still take them off to swim, shower, have sex and sleep every night. It's more important that I love me then worry about my "shoes". I live a varied life and I like being on varied levels. Ignoring this is almost like being in denial. I don't think because I put on prosthetics I am any better, they just makes me taller. I am the same person either way."
In no way am I saying people shouldn't wear prosthetics. My C-legs are the best legs I have ever owned and I stop using a cane after only having them a few months. But what he continues to not see is that just like anything else being happy comes first and you can't replace human legs with metal parts. But you can accept that you can live a great life and have many experiences with or without legs and that is what I would like people to know about me. It doesn't mean others have to follow my lead. It's just offering some comfort to those that may feel they are incomplete. I am complete and that comes from loving me just the way I am.
posted by BWOL at
10:39 PM
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