What The Doctors Don't Tell You About Amputation
Being an amputee, surprisingly, comes with quite a few advantages as well as the disadvantages. Although many amputees do not have the opportunity to elect to have their limb removed, there are many out there that do!
My friends and I often laugh about my 'cripple privileges,' which is a phrase that we use between us - I don't tend to use the phrase around others or able-bodied individuals in case they think that it's acceptable to use for others! Regardless, it does mean that I tend to 'get away' with things that my able-bodied peers wouldn't, such as complimentary drinks or an extra scoop of ice cream.....although that might just be because I'm a bit cheeky and tend to ask for extra. You don't ask, you don't get?
Read More
Encouragement vs Patronising Amputees and Adaptive Athletes
We all like to be motivated, inspired and encouraged yet when is this taken too far?
How many times a day do you have to be told 'you're an inspiration' before you find it frustrating and feel that people are being patronising?
One of my main goals is to inspire as many people as possible through my achievements and attitude towards life. Having said that, my friends will often ask me whether I find the comments of others encouraging or patronising - I suppose for me, it really does depend on how I feel on the day and the tone in which the comments are said.
Read More
Questioning an Amputee? When is it OK?
I am often asked two questions: What happened to your leg? Or Army/Motorbike?
Generally these questions are asked at a moment when I have a brief interaction with someone, such as at a checkout or while waiting in a queue. It often makes me feel very awkward since the story of my amputation is not just as simple as shark bite or some type of other gory story that would actually be interesting to the person asking. Very occasionally, when in a new area, I do tell people this just for a bit of variety!
Read More
